82 c10 wont start

[loader820]

 

I change the steering column now it wont start. I notice when trying to start the truck the volt gauge hand would go all the way down so I went out an replace the battery the volt gauge hand still goes down and the truck wont start

[roundhouse]

Did you check the battery voltage  before you replaced it ?

Did you adjust or replace the big switch at the bottom of the Collumn?

The key switch just pulls a rod that actuates the electric switches at the bottom of the Collumn

The electric switch is held on by two screws and is adjustable



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[loader820]

yes I did

[mcintyrederek]

Under the dash but just above the parking brake pedal there is a terminal block with 1/4" push-on connectors and wires.  That's the common ground block for the instrument panel.  Make sure that is all in tact and you have a good ground to the negative side of the battery.  There should be two connections on the negative side of the battery.  One goes to the engine block or close to it (sometimes the alternator bracket) and this heavy wire serves as ground for the starter.  The other smaller wire connects to the frame or body of the truck, which serves as ground for pretty much everything else.  It's a good idea to check here first but that is not likely why the battery voltage on the meter goes to zero when you try to start it.

- Can you turn the headlights on?

- Can you turn the ignition switch on the ON position and the volt meter read just a little under 13 volts?  Will all the other electrical instruments work when the ignition is turned ON (radio, heater blower, turn signal, etc?) 

- What you are saying is the volt meter on the dash goes to zero (or far left) just when you hit the starter? 

Mack.

[loader820]

I unplug the headlight switch everything else works on the gauge it just that the truck wont start an when I turn the key just the volt meter go to zero everything is fine

[mcintyrederek]

You might have a bad starter solenoid.  You might need to disconnect the small wire from the starter solenoid.  It's a 5/16 or a 3/8 nut.  Take the wire loose from the starter solenoid and isolate it so it won't touch anything.  Try to "start" the truck with the solenoid wire disconnected and see if the voltage gauge goes to zero then.  If it does, then you might have the starter wire pinched or sliced somewhere under the column and it's touching ground. 

[loader820]

I remove  the starter tested  it at AutoZone an it good put back in the truck ran small wire from starter to battery an truck start but cant get it to start from key.

[mcintyrederek]

Ok then, it sounds like the lever coming down the column from they key is not pushing the starter switch in far enough, like "roundhouse" mentioned earlier.

It's adjustable with two mounting screws.  The rod that does down the column from the key to the switch is just not engaging the starter switch all the way.  Loosen the screws and move the switch "up" towards the steering wheel just a little but.  It probably only needs movement between 1/8 and 1/4 of an inch in the right direction.  1/4 may even be too much.  That will probably fix your problem since you've stated the starter, etc, is good.

Attached is a picture of the switch mechanism you want to move upward.  I doubt it's bad, but it could be bad, and have to be replaced, but more than likely, it's just an adjustment issue since you've changed the column.  That's the first hint.

If you need a new one, it's like $12 at NAPA and the part number is MPE KS6623SB

Look on the picture and see how the mounting holes are elongated, that's so you can adjust it back and forth slightly.

Mack.