Fixed one problem, 10 more shows up

[boyer61]

Well, My ignition switch went out, i replaced that along with the lock cylinder. What a pain to replace lol.

Any ways, i finally got it all together, i turned it over and adjusted the wheel and it died, fired right back up. Did the same thing again, it died. If i keep it in one spot, it's ok. But i can't keep up at the highest point at all.

Also, my high/low beam switch seems broke, it's like the turn signal lever cant reach the button, what broke there?

The starter seems to stick sometimes as well, like the key won't come back fast enough.

And one more thing.. as soon as i pressed the clutch down the horn' dome light fuse blew.. I havent check into that mch, it's freezing outside!

If anyone could help me out with any of these i would really appreciate it!

[1980c10]

Your new problems could all be in the steering column. Now if you just replaced the lock cylinder it is likely something went wrong during that process. Maybe some wiring was damaged or something is shorting out. I start out by tearing into that. and giving it a full inspection.

[boyer61]

I plan on doing that again in a few minutes, i replaced the lock cylinder along with the plug in part

[boyer61]

What in the steering column could cause the truck to die?

[1980c10]

I haven't replaced a lock cylinder in a long time so I am not real familiar with the parts etc. However the ign lock is also a swith that provides power to most electrical things in the vehicle ie the radio, heater control and more importantly your distributor so if you lost that power the truck would die just as if you had shut it off with the key.
The fact that when you move your steering column seems to be when the problems persist is your biggest clue.
Look very carefully for anything that could be shorting out or even just loose also look for wires the show any signs of having been overheated such as slight burn marks or hints of melting. also check the pins in any harness plugs for signs of trouble and also look for loose individual pins and lastly make sure they are all plugged in tightly.
The problem most likely won't be really obvious so look carefully.

[boyer61]

Alright i just took everything out again. lol.

The lock cylinder looked 100% fine, no problems that i could see, even put the old one in, still doing it.

The switch i believe was the problem. I think it was just a hair off when your supposed to put it in 'lock'. Thus causing it to just barely loose contact while running. I adjusted that and it's ok now.

I fixed the dome light/horn fuse as well, clutch pedal was touching a bare wire.

Only thing i need to fix now is the dimmer switch, the switch itself works, do i just need the actuator?

[1980c10]

I don't know on the dimmer switch; mine have always been on the floor. However with any electrical circuit you can test and find the problem with an ohm meter and a wiring diagram. but if there is an actuator maybe you can see it work or not work or for that matter or just look for worn parts.
Maybe someone can chime in who has had some experience with the switch issue.

[Irish_Alley]

there will be two rods on the column one for the starter switch the other for the dimmer switch. follow the one for the dimmer switch to the switch then try to dim the lights see if it moves if it does you probably just need to replace the switch, i have seen one that the rod broke but pieces would fall to the floor

[boyer61]

is the rod near the turn signal lever? cause a few black plastic pieces fell out.

[VileZambonie]

is the rod near the turn signal lever? cause a few black plastic pieces fell out.

Oops... Sounds like you broke it. Check the hi/lo beam switch and the linkage.

[boyer61]

Got a new rod coming tomorrow I'll check out the switch as well.

[boyer61]

for now what i did was layer some duct tape to make a spacer, so it will works it's just squishy.

[Irish_Alley]

the rod should be metal the switch is plastic and the lever is plastic i think the lever is the only thing thats black

[boyer61]

This is what im referring to,

http://www.oreillyauto.com/site/c/detail/ACD0/D844.oap?year=1984&make=Chevrolet&model=K10&vi=1299696&ck=Search_dimmer+switch_01970_1299696_1178&keyword=dimmer+switch&pt=01970&ppt=C0039

[boyer61]

Is the dimmer switch located on the ignition switch on the column?