Bad starter or NSS?

[team39763]

Thanks Vile.

[team39763]

I did what it said except I used a test light.  It lead me up to the point where it said replace the ignition switch(which is brand new).  I think the brown wire to the starter is broken somewhere, because I can never get power at the end of it, only at the switch connector(I'm assuming it's the same brown wire going to the starter).

[Lt.Del]

are you ensuring someone is activating the ignition switch all the way?  Not just key half on on ACC.  Also make sure your meter ground is grounded good.  If the wire is not getting the volts when key is turned all the way on, then try the same thing close to your ignition switch, but between the ignition switch and starter solenoid. Just stab the positive probe in the wire insulation and ground the other well.
that will narrow down if it is the wire or ignition switch.

You really should be getting the volts to the solenoid though.  Do you keep extra starters and stuff for your truck?  I have 2 starters, 2 alternators, 2 distributors, everything...thanks to a nearby salvage yard and cheap parts.  The first thing i would've done is spend 15 minutes and replace the starter and solenoid with a spare and see what happens .

[team39763]

I'm sure the key is all the way activited.  We also tried using the ignition switch itself...no luck.  A local mechanic told us it's probably the NSS out of adjustment.  He said if I can get the steering wheel back on it, he'll take it to his shop and figure it out for us.  I did try bypassing the NSS and we still couldn't get any power at the starter wire.
  I think I will try to pick up a spare starter and alt.

[team39763]

It turns out that it was the NSS.  When I went online, Autozone had the wrong part listed as a neutral safety switch.  We even told them over the phone and in person what we wanted...but they still gave us the reverse(?) switch or something.  I just opened the box and found the item on the truck that looked similar and assumed I replaced the neutral safety switch(I know I'm a dummy).  The local mechanic checked out the actual NSS and realized it hadn't been changed at all...he replaced it within a couple hours, fixed our burned starter wire, and drove the truck back to us.  Thanks for all the help guys.