No start issue 81 K5 blazer

[mattsettle]

Back again guys! I posted last year about my father in laws 81 blazer. It would run off fuel in the carb but that was it. Still having that issue but now something new has come about. Now it won’t start. Father in law stated he went out to start it and heard nothing but clicking. We have swapped the starter, the ignition switch and gotten a new battery. Next culprit we think is the neutral safety switch. Does anyone have any insight on what else it could be? Thanks guys for your support.

 

[HankScorpio]

Check the battery cables for internal corrosion near the ends under the insulation. Check your grounds. If you are getting a click then the starter is trying, ignition switch is probably doing its job. If it clicks its not the neutral safety. Confirm that you really have 12.5V at the battery and at the starter. Don't trust new parts completely, bad parts do happen. You can check the starter out of the truck with some jumper cables as a last resort.

 

[mattsettle]

Check the battery cables for internal corrosion near the ends under the insulation. Check your grounds. If you are getting a click then the starter is trying, ignition switch is probably doing its job. If it clicks its not the neutral safety. Confirm that you really have 12.5V at the battery and at the starter. Don't trust new parts completely, bad parts do happen. You can check the starter out of the truck with some jumper cables as a last resort.

It actually isn’t even clicking now. There is only one ground I see that goes from the battery to the alternator bracket. I cleaned the bracket with a wire brush to make sure it’s getting good contact. I know I’m getting 12.5 at the battery but will check if that’s getting to the starter itself.

 

[HankScorpio]

Make sure there is a ground strap from the engine to the frame/ body somewhere.
You can jumper from the big positive cable to the small signal terminal on the starter and see if the starter is working. This will help figure out if it's the control wiring or starter/ battery cable issue.
Does the dash have power?

 

[mattsettle]

Make sure there is a ground strap from the engine to the frame/ body somewhere.
You can jumper from the big positive cable to the small signal terminal on the starter and see if the starter is working. This will help figure out if it's the control wiring or starter/ battery cable issue.
Does the dash have power?

The dash does have power. I turn the key and dash lights come on and volt meter reads 13.

 

[imiceman44]

It actually isn’t even clicking now. There is only one ground I see that goes from the battery to the alternator bracket. I cleaned the bracket with a wire brush to make sure it’s getting good contact. I know I’m getting 12.5 at the battery but will check if that’s getting to the starter itself.

I agree with @HankScorpio, check the cables.
One way to see if your ground is the problem get a good jumper cable and connect the battery ground to the starter body.

 

[rampage]

Are you checking the battery voltage under a load? It can easily read 12V + at rest but once you put it under a load it can drop significantly. Check the voltage when you’re trying to start it and report back.

 

[tarussell]

Don’t over look what HANKSCORPIO said in his first reply :

“Check the battery cables for internal corrosion near the ends under the insulation“


The outside near the insulation can appear to be in good shape but internally corrosion can be keeping each strand from acting as one large conduit - don’t overlook this advice as well as all the others.