Problem with my 79 GMC

[wklink]

I am picking up a 79 GMC 1500 this week. 350/350TH.

My problem is that the truck won't start. I am guessing the starter solenoid is out but hope someone here can either confirm this or send me in the right direction. I have a lot of experience working on old Fords (I restore Ford Thunderbirds as a hobby) but my experience with GMs is pretty rusty-the last truck I owned was a 70-C10 back in 1984).

The truck seems to have either an ignition or a starter problem. The lights come on in the truck, the radio and all the signals and stuff works but when I try to start it nothing happens. The battery is new, I also hooked it up to my 62 T-bird to make sure that there isn't a problem there. There is not clicking or anything when I try to start. I am guessing it is the solenoid on the starter but I am not sure. I figure the folks here are more knowlegeable about this stuff than I am.

I did do the search feature but didn't see anyone asking about an identical problem. If there is a thread please let me know and I will look there instead.

Thanks.

[piecesparts]

There is some things that you can try. First, check the voltage at the starter, the heavy cable should have voltage to crank the starter, the smaller wire should have voltage with the key turned to the crank position. Second try jumpering across from the heavy cable stud on the solenoid to the smaller stud to see if the solenoid engages. That may tell you that the solenoid is working but the circuit to the ignition is faulty. From that point decide where to go. The ignition switch is a possible problem and could be bad and that is all.

[beaterC10]

You might want to also check connections on the the battery cables.

[wklink]

Thanks, will look. I checked the cables, they are good on the terminals.

I probably will change out the main battery cable anyway since I am underneith the truck. This thing is pretty amazing, the engine compartment looks really good, I guess it should for the few miles it has on it.

I'm sure you will see a lot more of me as I figure out what I am doing on this truck.

[Roachgod]

I've had a couple old cars back in the day where you would have to smack the solenoid with a hammer now and then till I got a new starter.Only if the voltages check out.

[wklink]

Originally Posted by Roachgod

I've had a couple old cars back in the day where you would have to smack the solenoid with a hammer now and then till I got a new starter.Only if the voltages check out.

I used to do that with an old 85 Rx-7 that I had.

One last stupid question (Ok, that is a stretch, there probably will be more from me ).

Where is the ignition switch located in the truck? Is it in the column like I think or under the dash. All of the vehicles I own are keyed at the dash so I am used to looking there but I am assuming the whole ignition setup is in the column.

I have ordered some manuals on this thing so hopefully these kinds of questions will be answered by myself and I won't have to bug you guys for this kind of information.

Thanks.

[84 400]

i don't think it helps any.... on my old doge 77 i had to use a wrench to start it from under the hood. I would just jump the solonid and she would come to life. I hate to say it but i really miss that truck it was my first that i had got for 315 nuck from the gov with 50,000 original on it. old Powerwagon man i miss it. sorry for being off topic

[mySAVIOReigns]

It's on the outside of the steering column, under the instrument panel

[wklink]

Well, that makes it easy.

Off to Shucks, maybe get the old battleaxe home Monday.

[IvelDesigns]

this will sound odd, but i swear i have seen this work.

if you have a tilt steering wheel, try slamming it down while you turn the key. My brother had this exact same situation where nothing seemed to work. for whatever reason he slammed the tilt wheel down out of frustration, and it started.

to this day, he starts his truck like this.

[lurch115]

what my brother didn't meantion is that what happens when you slam the column down is that it pulls the ignition rod just a little more which in turn pulls the ignition switch near the bottom of the column into the start position....and if thats the case. its an easy fix...just drop the column down and loosen the screws that hold the ignition/dimmer switch down and slide the ignition switch a little bit either way untill it works right

[piecesparts]

Sounds like the ignition switch is loose on the column.

[wklink]

Believe it or not it actually was the starter solenoid although I am still looking at the ignition suspiciously. I might just change it out to feel more comfortable.

I love working on these things, fifteen minutes and the thing is done.

[mhicks]

and it doesn't cost $400.00 for the part...........

neutral safety switch?