1980 K10 Wont Crank

[RustyChevrolet]

I have a 1980 K10 that was sitting in the barn for 10 years. It is rusty and dirty but it is beautiful.  It was my Grandpa's truck and was running when he parked it 10 years ago. I bought a new battery and removed the old starter. I had the solenoid rebuilt and then reinstalled it. I cleaned up all the connections to the battery and all three wires going to the solenoid. I still can not not get it to crank, not even a click, no sound. The headlights work, the interior lights work but no radio, no wipers (I don't hear the blower for the heat come on either). I get full power at the battery when the key is turned (12.5v) and I get (12v) at the solenoid even with the key turned. The manual says that would indicated an open solenoid since there is not a voltage drop at the solenoid when the key is turned, however, I feel pretty confident the solenoid is good since it has just been rebuilt.

Could it be that the ignition key cylinder is bad?  Or ignition switch?  I just cant believe it is the solenoid and the lack of radio power (given it could have not worked when he parked it) makes me think it is the ignition key cylinder.

Other background, I have power at the fuse panel but it seems to be lower volts. I have also check every fusible link that I can find (3) and gave all of them a firm tug to make sure they are strong. I also had zero mice evidence, not even one turd, not nests, the barn has a healthy barn cat population apparently.

Thanks!

[VileZambonie]

Double check your fusible links with a test light. Post pics

[Unbreakable]

If it's been sitting, the engine is probably stuck. Grab hold of the belts on either side of the crankshaft and try to turn the engine a little. If you can't move it that way, and there's enough room, put a pipe wrench on the crankshaft pulley from underneath and move the engine that way. I bet it'll crank then.

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[RustyChevrolet]

I will double check the fusible links tomorrow with a test light.
I forgot to mention I was worried about the motor being seized so i did pull the spark plugs and roll the engine over manually with a big breaker bar. It rolled over pretty easily and I made sure to give it a good couple turns.

[VileZambonie]

Just ensure they are good and properly connected. Make sure you are connected to the B+ terminal not the M+ terminal for your cables and fusible links. The purple wire goes to the S terminal not the R terminal

[RustyChevrolet]

VileZambonie,  thanks much I just doubled checked them. They are. However, I have three wires going to the B+ terminal and one to the S terminal. Is that correct?

[Unbreakable]

I had the wires on my solenoid crossed for weeks before I discovered what I'd done. I had to jump it across the poles on the solenoid to get it to crank until I had time to really dig into it.

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[VileZambonie]

VileZambonie,  thanks much I just doubled checked them. They are. However, I have three wires going to the B+ terminal and one to the S terminal. Is that correct?

That is correct. Now verify you have B+ after the fusible links and at the junction block on the firewall. Is the truck an automatic? If you put a test light to the wire on the S terminal while in park and have an assistant crank the engine, does the test light illuminate?

[RustyChevrolet]

So I rechecked every fusible link. The link by the bulkhead gave me mixed results ( it would only light when I wiggled the wire) and after probing around I found the fusible link was pretty corroded (See picture). I cleaned it up and I thought for sure this would be my fix. However. It still would not crank, but I do get a solid reading with the test light now. So now that every fusible tested out I tried to follow power into the cab.  Which brought me to this wire underneath the steering column. Which I believe runs from the S terminal on the solenoid. I though I should have power here but it gave me a negative reading. (I.e. test light did not light). Anyone know if I should have power here without the key being turned? 

[RustyChevrolet]

VileZambonie,
I did not get a chance to try this yet as I do not have an assistant at the house until tomorrow. If this doesn't light what would it indicate?

[VileZambonie]

It would indicate that you are receiving the signal to crank the engine however you need to address that fusible link. http://forum.73-87chevytrucks.com/smforum/index.php?topic=11972.0

Trace the wires running down the back of the engine block. They tend to arc out on the back of the engine and down by the bellhousing near the starter. It would be a good idea to just replace that entire length of wire, and replace the fusible links while you are at it.

[RustyChevrolet]

VileZambonie,

Thanks a ton for your help. Could not have gotten this far without it.   I did check the purple wire from the S terminal while someone cranked the engine and it did not illuminate.  I still can read 12 v into and out of all three fusible links but I am going  to pick up replacement fusible links sometime this week and replace them next weekend.  I did check behind the engine but they all seem to be covered by black plastic conduit and everything by the starter looked covered as well. I guess I'll fix the fusible links first and then if need be rip into the conduit.

[VileZambonie]

Check at the junction block too on the firewall

[RustyChevrolet]

So I have replaced the two fusible links and the starter. They looked pretty rough but I still did not get the engine to crank afterwards. My next step is to replace the fusible link at the junction block like you suggested, however I would like to replace the metal strip since its connected to the fusible link and looks in rough shape. However, I have not been able to find the part. Any chance you know what this is called? The plastic piece and or the metal strip(fuse I am assuming). Thanks in advance.

[Irish_Alley]

take a picture of the starter and wires to it