Intermittent Starting

[NolaBoy]

Thanks to everyone for your input. I did remove the battery to engine block and clean it. Still not starting.

I put the ignition in on position and using a jumper from the hot post to the a post on the starter relay the car started fine. Would this still happen if it was a ground issue?

I also just noted (can’t believe i haven’t noticed this before) that when I turn to on position the radio comes on. When I go to crank it goes off.

Is my new switch bad? Is it a problem with the wire from the ignition switch to the relay? This is driving me crazy! Thanks again!


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[Oldtimer]

ACC position supplies power to all the accessories (radio, lights, cigarette lighter, volt meter).
ON position supplies power to ignition and accessories.
START position supplies power to ignition and starter relay, kills power to accessories.

Don't recall all you've done up to this point.
When it does not start, do you hear the starter relay clunk?
I think you have traced the Red/BIue stripe wire from ignition switch thru neutral safety switch to the starter relay?
How tight is the RD/BL wire push on terminal when connecting to "S" post on starter relay?
I would add a ground wire from the starter relay mounting bolt on the fender to the battery negative post.

 

[DirtDonk]

Like Oldtimer, said, everything that’s not the ignition or voltage regulator or starter, drops off completely when you turn the key to START.
That is very much standard operating procedure for every old ignition switch. And most modern ignition switches, at least up to a few years ago.
Can’t say for push button starts, of course, and anything where the computer is controlling everything but your mind!
But for an old-school ignition switch, there’s nothing wrong.
At least where the accessories are concerned…

For the starter, did you say you jumped from the battery to the small terminal, or from the battery side to the starter side big terminals?

 

[NolaBoy]

I jumped from the battery side of the relay to the s post.


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[DirtDonk]

Good. If it works consistently that way, that means the battery and cable are good, the starter relay is good, the cable to the starter is good and the starter is good.
So start looking at the red with blue wire to the “S” post and find out why it’s not getting voltage there in START.
Could be a loose connection there as suggested (it happens quite often). It could be a bad ignition switch, or a couple of other things depending upon the year of the truck.

Don’t ignore the loose connection part. Those little 90° fittings were coming loose when these rigs were still only just a few years old.
No telling what’s going on with them over the last 50!

 

[NolaBoy]

Good. If it works consistently that way, that means the battery and cable are good, the starter relay is good, the cable to the starter is good and the starter is good.
So start looking at the red with blue wire to the “S” post and find out why it’s not getting voltage there in START.
Could be a loose connection there as suggested (it happens quite often). It could be a bad ignition switch, or a couple of other things depending upon the year of the truck.

Don’t ignore the loose connection part. Those little 90° fittings were coming loose when these rigs were still only just a few years old.
No telling what’s going on with them over the last 50!

I can check. Sorry to be so ignorant but where are the connections. When I purchased the truck the original wiring was changed to a Centech Harness. The wire going to the S post stys start on it. Im guessing this is equivalent to the Blue and Red wire. This is screwed on to the S post with a ring connector. Are the other connections under the dash? Thanks again!

 

[DirtDonk]

Yes, that’s correct. On a Centech harness, it uses GM colors which are violet/purple for the start wire.
Sorry if I forgot you mentioned it was a replacement harness.

 

[jerry]

I can check. Sorry to be so ignorant but where are the connections. When I purchased the truck the original wiring was changed to a Centech Harness. The wire going to the S post stys start on it. Im guessing this is equivalent to the Blue and Red wire. This is screwed on to the S post with a ring connector. Are the other connections under the dash? Thanks again!

When I put mine in last year, I had to perform this mod:

https://www.powermastermotorsports.com/027___IS_PMGR.pdf

 

[NolaBoy]

Wanted to give an update. I traced the start wire back to the electronic ignition. I did not notice any loose connections but just after moving the wires around it seems to be working now? Must have been something with the wire. I will continue to monitor and let you know if I find anything else. Thanks for all of your help!