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Truck won't start

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paigeoliver:

Is this most likely the ignition switch?

1989 Chevy Suburban, 5.7 liter V8.

Battery has a charge, alternator and starter are both recent. The headlights will turn on, as will everything else that is wire to always function regardless of ignition position.

Putting the key in the ignition and turning it does NOTHING, it doesn't try to start at all, nor does any power go to the radio or accessories. However it will still make the warning buzz noise that it makes if you have the key in the ignition and open the door (however that function isn't related to the actual ignition switch).

Once before the truck displayed the same symptoms, but then it simply started working again the next day, the weather conditions were exactly the same this time as it was the previous time (overnight frost that had melted).

Finally, assuming it IS the ignition switch, how do you actually remove the thing? I have the chilton's manual, I did everything it said (pull the plastic dash stuff around the steering column, drop the column, etc). I can trace the activation rod to what must be the ignition switch, but I don't see the two screws that the manual mentions, nor do I see any easy way to even get in there to properly get at the thing.

Also, last minor note, car experts, remember that the 1989 Suburban is a member of the PREVIOUS generation of Chevy trucks, that they didn't change the Suburban over to the newer platform until a few years later (it seems that not even all parts manufacturers can remember that).

AtomSmasher:
I had a similar problem with my truck ('74 Ford) a few years back (except I didn't have a buzzing noise) and the problem turned out to be a bad solenoid .

I currently have another problem with my truck which isn't letting it start, its turning and trying to start, but won't.  I've replaced most of the ignition system over the years, but the wiring is a real mess (stored it at my parents house for a while and mice got to it), so I think I'm going to rip it all out and replace it.  Of course I'm going to wait until it gets a little warmer outside before I do  :)

MaximRecoil:
Have you tried jumping the solenoid? That can help narrow down the problem.

paigeoliver:
No I haven't tried that. It was sort of raining out when I was messing with it, and I didn't want to ruin any clothes crawling underneath the thing or wherever the solenoid is.


--- Quote from: MaximRecoil on January 11, 2008, 02:20:50 am ---Have you tried jumping the solenoid? That can help narrow down the problem.

--- End quote ---

danny_galaga:

its always possible to have several problems at once. ALWAYS check the fuses first, even when you think that couldnt possibly have anything to do with it. then go from there. the starter solenoid itself wont have a fuse, but it could be the case that the starter is playing up AND you have some blown fuses for the other things not working. also, cold weather tends to bring out the worst in electrical faults. when you get a chance, try and get a jump start to help narrow it down. maybe itll start but all the other problems remain. but you wont have gotten all grubby finding that out! maybe, as you say, the ignition switch is dicky.

in short, do the easiest tests first  ;)

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