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Chevy Truck wont start. Need help.

1K views 31 replies 7 participants last post by  Tylerzap 
#1 ·
Sorry for posting in wrong area. Move if needed.

I have a 79' Chevy K20 with 350, TH400, and NP203.
Im asking here because i know alot of yall run chevy 350's ans i need help quick.

Ok, batterys charged, brand new starter, and the lights are coming on the dash. I know i have the started hooked up correctly. I checked and double checked.

But when i turn the key NOTHING happens.

Lights dont dim. Nothing happens. I tried jumping it. Nothing. It was doing this before i replaced starter too.

Please help me. I need to get this thing running soon.
 
#3 ·
Sounds like a bad ground.
 
#7 ·
Well around thanksgiving i started messing with the starter and i moved the small signal wire on tbe starter. When i hooked the negative back up, without the key it, started turning over.

Just figured id add that in.
 
#8 ·
Well ive been meaning to change out battery cables for a while so ill do that tomarrow.

The positive is corroded some where the terminal bolts on.

So anything else? Or is it narrowed down to cables and ignition? How do i check the ignition??

Any other grounds?


All the lights come on and they do not dim when i turn the key.
 
#11 ·
Needs a starter
 
#14 ·
Huh? You jumped the starter and it didn't work. It's eaither th battery, the jumper cables or the starter. Or you hooked em up wrong.
 
#15 ·
If he jumped the starter it would bypass all of that.
 
#17 ·
Lol I understand that. When you "jump" something you are skipping over all the stuff to see what works. Sorta like jumping over the stuff. Hence the phrase "jump".

Just hook the jumpers to the batterty then positive and negative to starter. It's really not that hard to understand/do. If the the starter dosent turn over then you have something hooked up wrong, the battery is dead or the starter is crap.

Jesus....It's like explaining this to intern at work.
 
#28 ·
Lol I understand that. When you "jump" something you are skipping over all the stuff to see what works. Sorta like jumping over the stuff. Hence the phrase "jump".

Just hook the jumpers to the batterty then positive and negative to starter. It's really not that hard to understand/do. If the the starter dosent turn over then you have something hooked up wrong, the battery is dead or the starter is crap.

Jesus....It's like explaining this to intern at work.
Ahh i just understood what you ment. I will do that early tomarrow and report back. If it doesnt work i would assume it would have to be the signal wire?
 
#18 ·
Well i hooked the + and - to the battery. And then i put the other - where the - battery cable is grounded. Then i hooked the + to the starter on the small post
opposite if the signal wire.

I got a click but no turning over. Charging battery right now.
 
#19 ·
So, heres the breakdown of what is happening:
Lights come on
Fan comes on

Nothing happens when key is turned
Fan died when key is turned

Brand new starter
Hooked up correctly

Battery is old but even when being jumped there is no click or anything.

When i hooked up jumpers and i hooked battery up it clicked but didnt start

Im now charging battery.





I know this is Jeepforum but would rather not join another forum. Plus this is the most helpful forum ive ever been on.
 
#20 ·
Look at the plug right into the starter, my 75 K10 did exactly this, where the 12 volt feed wire into the solenoid on the starter had broken, had 12 volts to the wire, it just wasn't making it across the break.

99 percent sure you have the same issue
 
#21 ·
Thank you!! Could you go more in depth on what exacly you are talking about? Im not quite sure what wire you are talking about.
 
#23 ·
It started about 4 months ago with a starter that had been on for 8 months. The starter had been on for a year and so day before yesterday i got a free warranty replacement. So i know the starter is good.
 
#24 ·
trace the "S" wire back with a test light from here... Have a buddy crank it while you poke! My break was right at the terminal!
 

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#25 ·
Thank you! Ok so just test the signal wire all the way up? Will do. But there are 2 problems. This may make me seem stupid.

Ok, the wire runs through a metal tube with some other wires. Do i just test on
either side or pull it out?

And how do i test it, since the wires have the plastic/insulation on it? Just cut a small bit off or???

I feel dumb because i can rebuild a 350 but am not very good with electical stuff.
 
#29 ·
Ok I'll give you a step by step.

1. Be sure the shift lever is in the park position.

2. Attempt to start engine. If engine doesn't start proceed to step 3. If engine starts skip to step 11.

3. Make sure the battery is charged.

4. Check that the connections on both ends of the battery cables are tight and clean.

5. Attempt to start engine. If it doesn't start proceed to step 6. If engine starts skip to step 11.

6. Check for 12v on the "S" terminal on the starter solenoid while someone else turns the ignition key to the start position. FYI the wire in the original harness should be purple. If 12v is present then you have a issue with your starter. If 12v is not present continue to step 7.

7. Check for 12v at the neutral safety switch while the key is turned to the start position. The switch is located on top of the column down next to the firewall. The top two terminals are for reverse lights. The other set breaks the start circuit when the shifter is not in the park or neutral position. In your case originally there would be a purple wire and a yellow wire on the terminals. When the key is turned to the start position there should be 12v on both the yellow and purple wires. If there is voltage on the yellow wire but not the purple then replace the neutral safety switch. If there is not 12v on either terminal the problem is probably the ignition switch. If you have voltage on both terminals proceed to step 8.



8. Check the connector where the purple wire comes through the firewall. With the key in the start position there should be 12v on both sides of the connector on the purple wire. If not unplug connector and check for corrosion and clean if needed. Be sure the connector plugged together fully and that the terminals fully engaged into the connector housing. Proceed to step 9.

9. Attempt to start engine. If engine doesn't start proceed to step 10. If engine starts skip to step 11.

10. ????? and proceed to step 11.

11. profit
 
#30 ·
I just jumped the starter and it wouldnt crank but turned over. I poured gas in the carb and turned the key and it fired right up. Youve never seen a fat guy run so fast through the yard screaming and doing flips and stuff. I let it run for a while and then cut it off. Turned the key again and it fired right up. I tried 1 more time and i just got a click. No lights. Moved battery terminals and i heard the buzzer. Clicked again when i tried to start it. I will track down that problem later. Just happy i got it to run and drive some.
 
#32 ·
Exacly. Therefore i have concluded there are 2 things you shouldnt do:

Let it sit
And
Have your grandmother crank it and move it after sitting.
 
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