Won't start

[usagoneretro]

I have a 74 K5 Blazer I bought 3 weeks ago now. I live up in the mountains and I needed something four wheel drive to get places. I got to drive it home and then to the store and I haven't been able to get it to start since. I put the key in the ignition and it was difficult to turn, it cranked and then nothing. I thought the battery was dead at first and tried to jump it off my girlfriend's car, nothing. The headlights, wipers, and turn signals still worked. I thought I must have broken the ignition cylinder so I ordered a new one. When that finally got here, I put it in and tried again, nothing. I put the battery on a charger and it was fully charged. I had a Camaro that did this a few years ago and thought it was a fusible link like last time. I checked the fusible links and they were barely hanging on. I ordered them and replaced them. Tried again and nothing. I thought okay maybe its the starter, maybe I should have started there. I replaced it with an Duralast from Autozone. I never have luck with Autozone so I ordered 2 because I have a long trip up to the mountains and wouldn't be coming back down for a week. Put that in and nothing. I have checked every wire I could find. Initially the lighter was stuck in and burned the wire behind that. I removed it and cut the wire and tapped it up just to be sure when I was looking for any burned wires. Other than that one, I couldn't find anything. It still has a faint smell like there is a wire burning, but I have torn apart the dash and checked everywhere. The last time I went to start it, I said screw it, I'll just pay to get it towed. Went to put it in neutral and the shifter (column), wouldn't shift out of park. I took out the neutral safety switch and it slides with a little resistance, but was incredibly dirty. I cleaned the posts and put it back in and still nothing. I wasn't sure if the four wheel drive shifter should work if the vehicle is not, but that is also not shifting. I don't want to really wrench and pull something too hard to break it. I tried jumping the barrier in the engine compartment with a wire from the battery and I got a good jolt when I turned the key, but nothing happened. I have ordered a new neutral safety switch and a new ignition switch. If its not either of those, I am all out of ideas. Any help would be great.

 

[1-ton]

Sounds like a problem with the key cylinder switch and or the ignition switch.

 

[blazer74]

Problem started when the key became hard to turn, plastic gear connects to key cyl and pushes/pulls the rod to the ignition switch, now you can't take it out of park.

Sure sounds like something in the column has broken or come loose, plastic gear broken possible, ignition switch jammed.

 

[usagoneretro]

Thanks guys I'll take a look! It's frustrating because I really haven't gotten to enjoy it yet. Working on it in the snow is no fun. Do you have a picture or something of the plastic gear? I haven't put the top end of steering column back together. I would feel really embarrassed if it was because I didn't put it back on and that was the reason.

 

[4xfrankie]

Same thing happened to my old 79. Have you tried to arc the starter to see if it will turn over? (this is actually not the smartest cause sparks fly and can catch something on fire,but at the time,Iwas stranded out in middle of nowhere)or, run a remote starter switch ,just to see if will turn over and run.

 

[usagoneretro]

That's my next step, no offense to anyone that works at Autozone, but their "new" starters never seem to work. I gave up for today because I was tired of slipping on ice and its down in the twenties. I will check for an arc tomorrow.

 

[4xfrankie]

We call em autozombie round here.

 

[blazer74]

Youtube is your friend.

 

[4xfrankie]

or, take out lock cylinder and use screwdriver to start?

 

[K30Blazer]

Ignition module. If the key was hard to turn and now it won't start I would almost guarantee it is the ignition switch / module. On the column down by the firewall. $15-25

 

[usagoneretro]

Okay so the starter arcs! Still nothing inside. I have a new starter switch coming as well as a neutral safety switch.

 

[4xfrankie]

Okay so the starter arcs! Still nothing inside. I have a new starter switch coming as well as a neutral safety switch.

So, you have arced the starter and it still will not engage the flywheel?

 

[4xfrankie]

So, you have arced the starter and it still will not engage the flywheel?

So, when you say you try and start it and you say"nothing" ,you meen it is totally dead, no clicking or anything ?

 

[usagoneretro]

I just checked to see if the starter was good and the wires were good going to it. I didn't keep the screwdriver on, just to see if it would spark. No clicking, no starting, the dash lights don't come on. The only thing that works are the headlights, both high and low, windshield wipers, turn signals, and horn.

 

[4xfrankie]

I have been here myself man, can be frustrating. Sounds like a wiring problem . You have probably checked all the fuses. Check the wiring to make sure it is good ,use a test light to verify power to starter and other circuits.Do you have a good manual?A good GM manual is a must .Geuss you could download one somewhere on line.

 

[4xfrankie]

I have been here myself man, can be frustrating. Sounds like a wiring problem . You have probably checked all the fuses. Check the wiring to make sure it is good ,use a test light to verify power to starter and other circuits.Do you have a good manual?A good GM manual is a must .Geuss you could download one somewhere on line.

And, if you have had bad luck with Autozone, don't buy from them. I have had good luck with NAPA. If all you have isAZ , order a starter on line.You should be able to test the starter to see if it is good. Also could be something as simple as corroded battery cables internally.You have power to the starter -sparks- , but there still might not be enough juice to kick the starter out.You stated in your original post that you checked wires-how?The fact that the smell of burnt wiring is present ,there is probably a short somewhere and it is in the same circuit as the starter.let us know of any new developments.

 

[4xfrankie]

And, if you have had bad luck with Autozone, don't buy from them. I have had good luck with NAPA. If all you have isAZ , order a starter on line.You should be able to test the starter to see if it is good. Also could be something as simple as corroded battery cables internally.You have power to the starter -sparks- , but there still might not be enough juice to kick the starter out.You stated in your original post that you checked wires-how?The fact that the smell of burnt wiring is present ,there is probably a short somewhere and it is in the same circuit as the starter.let us know of any new developments.

Check voltage at starter "b" terminal - 9volts or more, check fusible link(you already checked)and bulkhead connector. The purple wire from the ign. switch might also be internally broke ,check ALL connections and clean grounds. hope you fix it!

 

[4xfrankie]

I missed the fact that you ordered new ns and ignition switch. Like the other guys said , the ignition switch is probably it. I was thinking you already replaced these items. I usually test switches and things instead of just replacing ,all this stuff like buying 2 starters , and buying switches that you may/may not need. Always test them before you just start replacing stuff.