Ignition Switch Diagnosis

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Apr 24, 2007 | 01:53 PM

tobyw

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Joined: Mar 2000

Posts: 358

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From: Tri-Cities, WA

Ignition Switch Diagnosis

Hopped in the truck last night to get hooked up to the camp trailer, but was greeted with nothing when I twisted the key... Bailed back out, grabbed the test light, and found I'm not getting trigger power to the solenoid when the key is turned to START. Now, the key has good "feel" and springs back to the RUN position, so I don't think the key switch itself or the actuator arm is shot, rather I'm guessing the ignition switch at the bottom of the column is bad. Does this sound reasonable? Didn't have time to dig into it any deeper, I simply jumpered across the solenoid and got things hooked up, but I would like to get it fixed before we take off this weekend... One other thing I did notice was that with the lights on while trying to start it with the key, the lights would dim a bit when twisting it to the START position. Not sure if that provides any other clues or not to narrow my problem down... TIA for any thoughts!

Apr 25, 2007 | 07:51 PM

ReAX

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Joined: May 2006

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From: Central Florida

There is a little part in the in the colum that brakes, I think the part number ends in e315. The easy test for it is, turn the key to start and push the rod toward the front/floor. Contrarily, you can loosen the nuts that retain it and move the switch towards the wheel to try and start the motor.

Apr 25, 2007 | 10:20 PM

htcsusn

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Joined: May 2006

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When the cast aluminum piece in my column broke, I grabbed the linkage with a pair of vice grips and pushed it towards the base and started it that way. By the way you can buy that piece in the HELP aisle at autozone for about 6 bucks, but plan on about 4 hours and 6 beers to replace it.