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K5Jimmy

K5Jimmy

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Location
Lake Dardanelle/Logan Co, Ark
my 89 tbi has random no start issues. Dash lights good battery, runs fine, drives good. I can turn the key and nothing happens. If I wait 5-10 minutes after trying it a time or 3 it will crank just fine.

I replaced the ignition switch on the lower column about 2 weeks ago because of this same thing. Of course I cleaned the plugs with electronics cleaner when I put it all back together.

I checked all wires and connections, all are tight. I replaced the lock about 2 years ago.

I'm guessing I got a bad switch outta the box? Oreillys.
 
No, I’m betting you didn’t find the original reason you we looking for.
Maybe a loose wire or solenoid on the starter. Possibly the switch on the column is adjusted just enough out

But The time lapse suggests an electrical component to me
 
Manual or automatic trans? It could be related to the neutral safety switch. I’m guessing it’s an automatic, try moving the column shifter while turning the key during a no start moment.
 
Yup, cuz the automatic transmission neutral safety switch in an '89 is a quick adjust type that can be off just enough after years of use. I would check that first.
But the starter solenoid is a possibility too.
 
Check the connections at the solenoid. the big batt cable and the start signal, make sure both are tight. If the cable is just a tad loose it can have enough resistance to not crank, but the effort has heated the terminal and the next try or two the connection is tight and full current can flow. This is more common when cold.
 
dont forget the switch you replaced on the top of the steering column has adjustment for the rod that moves it . its NOT just a drop on and go switch .

otherwise it sounds like another problem .
 
Could be the solenoid is getting heat soaked--engines with headers often have that happen after a long enough ride to get things really hot on a summer day,and after you shut it off and let it sit a few minutes,the heat transfers into the starter & solenoid,and it wont get enough voltage to pull the starter drive into the flywheel--after it cools off enough,the resistance drops ,and it'll crank normally again..

Sometimes the copper disc inside the solenoid gets all arced out after long use,the same spot gets all the current--you can take the cap off the solenoid and rotate it to a "fresh spot" and sand it shiny ,that usually cures that problem..

It may simply not be getting sufficient volts & amps to the thick purple "crank" wire on the solenoid too,it has a long ways to travel by the time it gets to the starter--it has to go from the battery,into the wiring harness,into the cab,the ignition switch and neutral safety,before it goes to the "S" terminal on the solenoid..any wiring defects or corrosion can reduce the voltage to the point the solenoid wont kick in when the starter is hot...

A quick way to test for that--next time it refuses to crank,try jumping the solenoid ,touch the positive battery cable at the solenoid to the "S" terminal the thick purple wire goes to--if it cranks then,you aren't getting enough volts & amps to the solenoid to activate it when its hot and has more resistance..
 
Well, I've got a lifetime starter from AZ. It's maybe 3yo, so it's free to change out. Guess I'll start taking it out after the sun goes down. Yesterday was 95°, heat index was 112°. Flippin humidity is brutal.
 
K5Jimmy said:
Well, I've got a lifetime starter from AZ. It's maybe 3yo, so it's free to change out. Guess I'll start taking it out after the sun goes down. Yesterday was 95°, heat index was 112°. Flippin humidity is brutal.
Click to expand...

If you are going to swap the starter anyway, were it me, today, I'd ask if they would let you upgrade to a mini-starter. (I've done that before, as long as the price was higher for what I wanted to change to) Probably never have to worry about it again. A lot easier to work with, and around.
 
K5Jimmy said:
So I swapped in a mini starter. The part is shiney and the truck starts. I have no place I need to go.
Click to expand...

Yay!!! Truck starts!
And not having anyplace that you need to go isn't that bad. Where do you WANT to drive your truck?
:waytogo:
 
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