won't start - out of ideas

[littlja]

i have a 1980 k10 350 w/ HEI

Problem = i turn the key and the starter is not engaging - what i mean is, I have juice, headlights come on, turn the key a bit and the blower fan kicks on, choke light on the dash but nothing happens at the starter. no clicking, no noise, nothing.

I have replaced the starter with the same result.

So I replaced all battery cables and cable from the battery to the starter - same result

so i cut my 3 wires going down to the starter from the firewall and ran all new ones to ensure there are no fusible links between - same result

(btw each time i turn the key it I try it with each of my good batteries (tested) and each of my starters (original and new) one at a time)

I have also pulled apart the HEI and taken the iginition module in to vato-zone for testing - tested good

I dont really know where to go next - any suggestions - please help me get my baby going again

[pokethesmot]

do you have a relay for the starter

[menace121978]

is there a little wire that comes off the battery cable... man my trucks tore apart so i'm having trouble remembering but look for a small wire off the ground cable that should have a small bolt grounding it to either the fender or the core support. ive had the same prob. before and turned out to be that stupid wire.

[littlja]

Originally Posted by pokethesmot

do you have a relay for the starter

I don't think so but how should I check. Where would it "normally" be installed?

[littlja]

Originally Posted by menace121978

is there a little wire that comes off the battery cable... man my trucks tore apart so i'm having trouble remembering but look for a small wire off the ground cable that should have a small bolt grounding it to either the fender or the core support. ive had the same prob. before and turned out to be that stupid wire.

Right now my negative cable on the bat is bolted to the frame. I have an open accessory splice on the terminal end. I should ground that out?

[menace121978]

yes, try it.

[kelsfine69]

Check the neutral safety switch on the column

[menace121978]

good one

[73chevyman]

sounds like it's in gear or something check your column like said above

[powerdriver 1958]

Is this a Manual transmission or automatic???

[littlja]

Originally Posted by powerdriver 1958

Is this a Manual transmission or automatic???

its automagic

[72lb4x4]

You can buy a DVM from Harbor Freight for $3. Ok, its junk, but it'll get the job done. Measure the voltage from the solenoid S terminal to the body of the starter when trying to start.

Myself, I'd make a long wire w/ alligator clips at each end and verify that the starter is working. Connect one end to the solenoid S solenoid terminal and touch the other to the + side of the battery. In park or neutral of course. If it spins (the engine), its not the starter, ground or + side of the high current circuit to the starter. Duh. That was a long way of saying its in the solenoid circuit.

If it spins, its in the low current side, which means wiring harness, ignition switch, or neutral safety switch.

Think like electricity. Its not easy since mechanical things get in the way Like bad physical connections.

You'll figure it out! Don't get too upset.

[littlja]

thanks 72lb4x4 i'll try the test tomorrow

btw can anyone narrow down where the neutral safety switch is? i can feel a cable pulling towards the back window when i turn the key but i cant find where it runs to

do i have to drop the steering column to see it?

thx

JL

[72lb4x4]

Not sure but I think its inside the cab between the dash and firewall... I usually do the easy and cheap stuff first.

[wydomkr]

Originally Posted by littlja

Right now my negative cable on the bat is bolted to the frame.

Shouldn't the ground go right to the engine block somewhere?

Also if you are trying to start it in park, move the gearshift down to neutral and see what happens.

[piecesparts]

Originally Posted by wydomkr

Shouldn't the ground go right to the engine block somewhere?

Also if you are trying to start it in park, move the gearshift down to neutral and see what happens.

1) bolt the ground wire to the engine and make sure there is a ground strap from the engine to the cab at the back.
2) check the Neutral/Safety switch on the top side of the column(inside the cab--by the firewall)---bypass if necessary
3) check for voltage at the starter small and large wires---when cranking---use a volt meter OR a test light.
4) Leave the dizzy alone--the starter don't care if it is working or not UNTIL you actually get it to turn over
5) make sure the starter cranks with a jumper wire from the battery terminal to the solenoid post.
6)

[73chevyman]

isn't the neutral switch near the brake pedal, i was going to say by pass the wiring and jump the starter good luck

[piecesparts]

The neutral safety switch varies on what tranny you have in the truck. An automatic has a white plastic switch combo mounted onthe top of the column (under the dash and against the firewall). This switch does the neutral safety function and also does the back up lights. A manual tranny has a switch taht is actuated with the clutch, so that you have to have it depressed so that the truck won't start in gear. A lot of trucks have wires for both, but the auto trucks have the wires connected together to bypass the clutch mechanism, that is not there.

I would turn on the key and then go out and arc across the posts on the starter or use a heavy jumper wire to get the solenoid to crank it over, to see if the starter has power and is working. If it cranks and starts, then your problem is in the starter circuit. Maybe it is in the ignition switch, itself. That switch is mounted on top of the column (up close to the instrument panel) and is a real bear to get to. Take the cover off of the dash (just below the steering column) and remove the air duct that is there. next take the two nuts off of the column support, that is just under the instrument panel and carefully pull the column down away from the dash. The switch CAN be changed out with the column in this position. You have to make sure that you get the rod re-inserted when you put the new one in and also you have to slide the switch to the right position, so that all of the contacts are made up when starting. There is allowance in the switches mounting tabs for this. This is the last thing that I would do, after I eliminated all other possible problems.

[littlja]

i got her cranking with the jumper wire across the posts....so i know where the ignition switch is - im looking for the neutral safety switch - took a couple of pic bases on someone said it was a white connector near the firewall above the column

in the first pic i have this white connector hanging - blue and pink wires run in to the white conector in the second pic

1 - is this the neutral safety switch?
2 - where shouldl the other end (pic1) be connected
3 - can someone post a pic of theirs

thanks much for help!

[powerdriver 1958]

The 1st pic is of a connector that go's to the brake light switch.might be the plug for the cruise control...........the 2cd is the neutral SAFETY and back up light switch.you can bypass the switch by placing a jumper between the heavy wires(purple and yellow).But DO NOT leave it that way.Its called a neutral SAFETY switch for a reason.Bad things can happen if it starts in gear

[littlja]

changed the ignition switch - bypassed the neutral safety switch - still wont crank when i turn the key

sorry to ask such a dumb question but it has been a couple of weeks since i took off the original starter....can someone verify what wires are supposed to go to what posts on the starter please?

thx

JL

[littlja]

so i narrowed it down to an orange wire connected to ths "S" post

if i jumper a wire between the "S" post and the battery she starts fine

So i traced the orange wire (which according to chiltons wiring diagram should be purple) back to the firewall where about 20 other wires connect (to the back side of the fuse panel?)

any ideas on what i should do to repair the problem? I've already replaced the ignition switch and i think i bypassed the neutral safety switch by putting a jumper wire between the purple and yellow wires

thanks for your help