Won't start, What do you think?

[gipper]

My truck has set all summer (bad, I know). I have a 1968 GMC stepside with a 1972 chevelle 350 engine. I installed all new Universal joints and a midshift bearing this past winter. When I was done, I ran the truck (On jack stands) for about 15 minutes. I tried to start it last week and nothing. I had it on a trickle charger for more than 24 hours still nothing. I pulled starter and brought to local parts store and had it tested and it was fine. I double checked all wires and they look fine, connections are fine with no corrosion. I am not 100% sure I put the two small wires to the solenoid on correctly after re-installing starter. Do not know if that is an issue. I checked the ignition plug and it seems fine and the red battery light comes on when I turn the key. I am stumped as to what else to look at. Any help would be appreciated.

[geezer#99]

Wires on the starter could be the problem.
Purple wire to the 'S' terminal and yellow wire to the 'I' terminal.
If you can't see well it's purple on outside of solenoid and yellow inside closer to the block.

[leftybass209]

If you know you may have done something wrong, start there. Does the starter click when you turn the key?

[gipper]

Starter does nothing at all. Acts like no power.

[geezer#99]

What tranny?
It's either wiring or nuetral safety switch.

[gipper]

It has the turbo 400. I think your on to something with the neutral safety switch. I did try moving the gearshift into neutral and it still did nothing.

[ole dollor]

I would check the battery and make sure its still good, and clean the cables good. if you had to charge it , it might be dead.

[gipper]

Originally Posted by ole dollor

I would check the battery and make sure its still good, and clean the cables good. if you had to charge it , it might be dead.

I had it on a trickle charger for more than 24 hours still nothing.

[franken]

Try jumping from the big battery cable terminal on the solenoid to the S terminal on the solenoid.
The purple wire is on the S terminal, right?

[ole dollor]

Originally Posted by gipper

I had it on a trickle charger for more than 24 hours still nothing.

what voltage does the battery have, draw check it and make sure its good ?even a charged bad battery is still a bad battery...good luck on your truck.

[gipper]

The battery is good. The headlights are brighter than ever.

[ole dollor]

Originally Posted by gipper

The battery is good. The headlights are brighter than ever.

that's one problem out of the way, cables and wiring is where I would go next, and natural safety switch . you can short across the big terminal and the small terminal motor side of the starter and see if the starter turns .

[gipper]

Could someone tell me where the neutral safety switch is located?

[john]

Located low on the top side of column by firewall.

[brown7373]

When my neutral safety switch was out of adjustment, it would start if I lifted up on the gear shift selector. A quick, easy adjustment fixed it. Since it started and ran before, I agree it is the switch adjustment.

[VetteVet]

It's very easy to check the switch. Just pull the purple wire connector off of it and jumper between the wires in the connector. A small cotter key works great as a jumper or a small piece of 12 gauge wire. If the truck starts then the switch is bad or out of adjustment.

Careful though, the truck will start in gear if you jump the switch.

[magwakeenercew2jh]

I'm not much for telling anyone what they "should" do.

But, as much as it may be perfect cruising season, winter is coming up.

And, if you want to know where key electrical components and wires are... and go? Or you'd like to know where some parts are
hanging off the truck (or, at least were originally), sitting around with a cup of something and studying the charts in these books
can be fun for some of us.

That may sound lame. But I couldn't have built my trucks without without Forum Member's help OR either of these...Plus, I have a couple of
other books for reference. The wiring book comes in all year formats, I think (there are differences from year to year, model to model
of course...but any 67-72 book will generally get you there).

Then again, I'm a geek.

[briscuba]

As mentioned here several times, you could try to jump it wiring your battery directly to the starter. I know you said the batter is good, lights turn on and all, but they can be very deceptive as well. If you have a "load" charger you can know for sure. Or simply use the battery on another vehicle.

my 2 cents...

[gipper]

OK, finally got to this, problem was two fold. I checked neutral safety switch and it was unplugged! How that happened I'll never know. I plugged it in and it would not start. I jumpered the switch and it still would not start. I crawled underneath and dropped the starter. Reversed the two small wires and re-installed. Still jumpered, it started right up! I hooked neutral switch back up and adjusted and started right up!
Once again, this board helped me out! I monitor daily and I hope I can pay it forward!