When I turn the key I get nothing. No dings no lights no start. I used the old screwdriver trick and the solenoid has power. The battery has 12 volts. I changed the solenoid just in case and had the starter tested at NAPA. The previous owner said that he changed the starter and it did fine for a day. Then when he started it, the starter continued to rotate even with the key off so he disconnected the battery. Im at a total loss. Im going to try to change the starter cable tomorrow but that doesn't explain the nothing I get in the cab with the key turned on. Ive been thinking it could be something in the steering column but I don't see any broken wires or chaffing. Any help would be appreciated.

 

You didn't say if you have idiot lights or gauges, but here's part of the wiring diagram for both. My guess is that someone left one of the fusible links off of the solenoid's hot terminal so you have nothing in the cab.

 

Do you get power at the little blue/red 'S' terminal push on wire at the solenoid when you turn the key to 'start'?

 

Thanks I will look into this. I was so bummed the truck didn't start I didn't even look at the gauges. I know the idiot lights did not work. Ive got the dash off and am looking at bare bulbs. None came on.

 

I will find out Jim. Thanks

 

Start where Gary said, checking the fusible links connected to the fender relay post with the battery hot cable.

If they look blistered give them a tug and see if they are open internally.

 

It happens all the time. People change the solenoid and put the wires on wrong, or accidentally leave one off. Like the others said, one of those smaller wires on the solenoid feed power to the whole truck.

 

I went thru the truck and instructions 50 times to make sure I wasn't missing anything. Even had someone else look at it too. The wires are on right and they're all there. It's looking more and more like the ignition. My dad had the same truck with the same issues.

 

You said "When I turn the key I get nothing. No dings no lights no start." Given that the ignition won't work. But to say it is an ignition problem is like saying it is a light bulb problem when the power is out.

 

Yeah, no power is not an "ignition problem" .
Depending on exactly what doesn't have power, either a wire is disconnected, or J or M are burnt out.

 

I like that statement.

 

Thanks! I hope it gets my point across.

 

Look I'm chasing wires like it's no one's business. I tried what you suggested. The ignition wires were not making a good connection. I fixed that. Now I have dash lights and headlights and all my dings. What I'm running into now is the starter doesn't stop engaging. Even with the key out. I've replaced the solenoid twice and all the cables between he battery and starter. As soon as I hook the battery up the starter starts trying to turn the engine.

 

Do you happen to have the old original crusty solenoid that you first took off? If you do, put it back in place, I bet your latest trouble will go away.

If you look at the chain of events, you did not have the sticking solenoid ever before did you? You are going along and suddenly have this power problem, and along the way you changed the solenoid. You have fixed your original problem, but now you have a new problem. Care to guess what caused it? Chinese junk.

 

I don't have the solenoid. The last owner changed it out right before he sold it to me. I'm thinking of hitting up the junk yard and finding one or stepping up the size. Or if all else fails trying to find an American made solenoid.