I was wondering if anyone Knows how to wire in a push button start switch. My Ignition switch failed. and I have a start button sitting here to get Me by until I can get to Town. It's an 85 6.9 Thank You in advance. Mudguts.

 

FWIW a switch is around $15, not really worth hacking your wiring to save that IMO.

 

I would just put in a new Ingnition switch if I was not 60 miles from town. If I remember right I just need to run a hot lead from the battery to the push button switch and then a lead to one of the terminals on the soilenoid.

 

You just get power to the small terminal to get it to crank, but to start it you need to power the FSS and even then you still wouldn't have accessories.

 

When I turn the Key on I have power to every thing but when I try to engage the starter Nothing The rod in the steering column will not engage the starter I'm in the Mountains of N.Utah right now and when the cab is cold it wont start. Is the FSS terminal the one that goes from the solenoid to the starter? Thanks.

 

Okay, that does make it easier.

No, the FSS is the fuel shutoff switch. It's on the front if the IP. But if you're accessories are powering up then you probably don't have a problem there.

Just run a wire from the small terminal of the relay to your button and then power to the other side of the button.

 

This terminal, the small one on the bottom, front, left:

 

Thanks for the help Chevy Eater.

 

If it's just a one-off, just to get into town, just leave the key in RUN, SET THE PARKING BRAKE and put the tranny in NEUTRAL or PARK (esp. if a manual), and jump the starter relay.

Are you sure it's the switch/rod? Automatic or manual transmission? Maybe something's up with your clutch (or neutral) safety switch. Or it may be the relay.

 

If it's anything like the 87-91 steering columns, the ignition switch linkage tends to break very easily. There's a little aluminum piece which slides up and down and activates the ignition switch itself, and that cast piece breaks easily, causing exactly what you see. You can rig up a start button just as said earlier; +12V to the small terminal on the passenger side fender starter relay and it'll crank.

Fixing the actual problem is a $7 part and a bunch of pain. You have to take the entire damned thing apart, including removing the steering wheel, and there's fiddly bits.
It might be easier to actually remove the steering column(or at least loosen it so you have more room around the bezel area)

'Course, if you have a manual, I recommend the push-button as an upgrade anyway -- bypasses all of the 'safety' switches and lets you move the truck with the starter in gear if you need.

 

like this?

 

the twisted black and white wire to to the toggle in my video

 

I just wanted to thank every one for all of the help I did what Chevy Eater said and it starts and runs just fine. using the small terminal on he soeliond. I have been busy and forgot to get back on here to update My status. Thanks again Mudguts.