Is my ignition switch going bad?

[6872xtc]

The plug for the backup lights will have power with the key on the on position, the neutral safety won't have power until crank position.
And if you want to jump the wires together to verify, you should get the reverse lights on with one plug jumped, and not when the other is. The plug which isn't reverse lights is the neutral safety.
You can even check for power in the crank position with the NSS unplugged.
I obviously don't remember what colors the wires are, even though I have a '90, but some simple testing can tell you lots.
I suggested going to the NSS first because it's easier to get to that the ignition switch. You can even reach the key while checking for power at the NSS.

 

[76k5blazerr]

The plug for the backup lights will have power with the key on the on position, the neutral safety won't have power until crank position.
And if you want to jump the wires together to verify, you should get the reverse lights on with one plug jumped, and not when the other is. The plug which isn't reverse lights is the neutral safety.
You can even check for power in the crank position with the NSS unplugged.
I obviously don't remember what colors the wires are, even though I have a '90, but some simple testing can tell you lots.
I suggested going to the NSS first because it's easier to get to that the ignition switch. You can even reach the key while checking for power at the NSS.

Yeah. Starting to wish I had tried the bypass first, would have saved a lot of trouble. But oh well. Love and learn. Hoping it’s the NSS

 

[76k5blazerr]

@diesel4me or someone else, If i were to wire in a temporary starter switch like a push button just so i can get the truck home on tuesday, all i would need to do is run a wire from the "I" terminal on the starter solenoid to the push button and then run a 12 V hot wire to the other side of the push button right? The key/lock cylinder is still working to turn on the accessories, fuel pump etc. So I think it would work to wire the push button like i said and just turn the key to "run" and hit the button.

 

[ktmoutfront]

@diesel4me or someone else, If i were to wire in a temporary starter switch like a push button just so i can get the truck home on tuesday, all i would need to do is run a wire from the "I" terminal on the starter solenoid to the push button and then run a 12 V hot wire to the other side of the push button right? The key/lock cylinder is still working to turn on the accessories, fuel pump etc. So I think it would work to wire the push button like i said and just turn the key to "run" and hit the button.

This was going to be my suggestion just to move it. But will also work forever.

 

[diesel4me]

I was going to suggest that also--I've done that to more than one of my trucks and called it an "anti-theft device" which gets a 10% discount on your insurance (at least the company I have)..

With a push button it'll crank and run hooking it up like you said--on the starter solenoid there is only one other wire on it besides the battery cable,its a 12 gauge smaller wire,applying 12V positive to that will make it crank..

I suppose the switch is better than having to open the hook and touch a wire to the battery,but that works too,as long as you leave it running till you get home--but it could be a bummer if you had to shut it off to refuel at a gas station and start it that way again,it might attract attention!..

Just remember depending where you get the 12V from for the push button,you may end up having the ability to crank it without the key on--that might not be the best way if you have kids or anyone curious that might press the button ,they could run the battery down,wear out the starter,possibly flood the engine,or grind gears if it happened to be running..

In that case it will pay to hunt down a fuse tap in the fuse box that only gets power with the key "on",then the push button wont be able to crank it until the key is on and the engine has spark..

 

[76k5blazerr]

Thanks guys. Think I’m going to try the push botton and hopefully once I get it home I can get the key working again. Appreciate the help and advice.

 

[trukman1]

I may be way off base here but I used to run into the situation where my truck would be fine then suddenly NOTHING> I would get a long screw driver and tap on the ground post on the started/solenoid post and everything would be good again for a while.Just a thought. Good luck!