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Replaced Key Cylinder…Now Starter Motor Not Working.

1-ton

1-ton

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I replaced the key cylinder in my 91 V3500 because it had seized up. Everything was working fine before, until I replaced the key cylinder, and now the starter motor is not getting power to the starter motor solenoid, in order to engage the starter.

There is power to everything, but the starter solenoid, when I turn the key. I do not think I am missing anything in the installation of the key cylinder. Everything seems be connected properly. Anybody have any experience with this that thinks I am missing something in the installation of the key cylinder?

There is also an ignition switch somewhere else under the dash (IIRC mounted to the steering column). I wonder if this has gone bad as well?
 
Have you checked the fusible link near the starter?
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Not yet. I will look at that. It sucks when you have one problem, and you fix it, only to have another one pop up at the same time, which causes you to think it was something you did wrong while repairing the original problem. Thanks.
 
I checked the fusible link, and that is OK.This truck is an ECM controled engine with TBI. I made a jump wire for the starter motor, then turned the ignition on, and cranked the starter motor over with the jump wire. The starter motor turned over nice and strong, but the engine still would not fire. It sounds like the electric fuel pumps and the ignition too are not working.

When I turn the key to the on postion, it has power to things like lights, radio, gauges, and other assorted accessories, but no fuel pump, ignition, or starter motor. Does anybody know of a switch which controls all of these things when the ignion is turned on for an ECM controled engine?

I have not checked any fuses yet. I hate these types of problems. They take forever and a year to chase down.
 
This's what happened to my mom on a different car. Got a replacement key cut by a locksmith friend of mine and the car would start and run but the heater would not work. She tells me about it and I check it out with my key. Everything works fine. Her problem was the key, just dammed screwy.

You may want to check the actual switch to make sure its being cycled all the way. I think its mounted on top of the column. Its hooked to the key switch by a linkage arm.

George
 
Any chance the column harness is unplugged at the electrical ignition switch?
 
Did you disconnect the battery during installation of the lock?
If not.
Check your 2 ECM fuses in the fuse panel it is possible that during the lock installation you blew one.
If you have an auto trans.Your starter problem sounds like an issue with the neutral safety switch. There is a lever/rod that goes down the column. It is moved when the ign switch is turned to the start position. It makes the neutral safety switch work. If the lever/rod is out of place the neutral safety switch wont close and allow power to the starter solenoid.
Or mabe the neutral safety switch went bad. It is located on the upper side near the bottom of the column.
 
Did you disconnect the battery during installation of the lock?
If not.
Check your 2 ECM fuses in the fuse panel it is possible that during the lock installation you blew one.
If you have an auto trans.Your starter problem sounds like an issue with the neutral safety switch. There is a lever/rod that goes down the column. It is moved when the ign switch is turned to the start position. It makes the neutral safety switch work. If the lever/rod is out of place the neutral safety switch wont close and allow power to the starter solenoid.
Or mabe the neutral safety switch went bad. It is located on the upper side near the bottom of the column.
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You are correct, I did not disconect the battery during the installation of the key cylinder. I was thinking this might be the case as well. I tried to be carefull with the turn signal switch when I removed it, so it would not ground on anything, but maybe it did anyway.

My truck is an Auto, and I was also thinking that the Nuteral Saftey Switch Rod may be have dropped off of its connection too. I tried to be very carefull with installing the key cylinder into the steering column bore, but maybe it droped out anyway. How much of a PITA is it to get at this rod in my steering column? Does the rod run along the bottom of the steering column or top? The Nuteral Saftey Switch is reasonbly new. I replaced it only about 1-1/2 years ago. I wonder if it is possible to blow out a Nuteral Saftey Switch as well because I did not disconnect the battery?

I just got finnished eating breakfast, and I will go out to look at my truck in a minute. I will check all the things mentioned in the replies. Thanks guys (or gals)! :wink1:
 
The two fuses for the ECM are OK, and the rod for for Nuteral Saftey switch is connected to the key cylinder because I can put my finger on the rod and feel it moving back and forth when I turn the key. Maybe the Nuteral Safety switch is bad.

There is some kind of control module mounted to the steering column, which has a loom of wires going in and coming out. It also has cooling fins on it. I cannot remember what this thing controles, is it the ECM or the transmission?



Man, this sucks. I hate these types of problems.
 
it is...

1-ton, start isolating the issue... take the 2 screws out and remove the ignition switch down on the column from the rod... manually operate it with a screwdriver.. this will tell you if its in the column or at the fuseblock...
 
I think that is the wiper delay module.
Click to expand...

I guess I can rule that out then. :wink1:

1-ton, start isolating the issue... take the 2 screws out and remove the ignition switch down on the column from the rod... manually operate it with a screwdriver.. this will tell you if its in the column or at the fuseblock...
Click to expand...

10/4, I will try this. Thanks

The only problem is that I do not have the time for anymore work on this truck until next week. My problem right now is I am making pretty good money, but no time for working on trucks much anymore (only a few days a month). That is the way life goes. Thanks for the input, this should get me close to narrowing down the problem.
 
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