Can't get '79 Scottsdale to start

[lt1kicker]

My truck won't start.  The other day I drove it out on the back forty to shoot at the range.  It performed fine.  I had recently installed a different battery that actually would hold a charge.  I went to start it the other day and no go.  I thought the battery was dead but I have electrical power at my headlights and whatnot, just nothing happens when I turn the key.  I thought maybe the switch could be bad in the clutch, or the ignition switch itself is bad?  Need to sell this truck so I'd like to get it going again.

[Bitzer!]

could be something simple like wire off/broken to starter or try making sure [if auto] that its deffo in Park.

Does it turn over on the key but not fire or nothing at all?

[VileZambonie]

verify your battery voltage and put a test light to the S terminal at the starter solenoid while cranking.

[Captkaos]

My 87 R10 JUST did this 2 weekends ago.  As Vile stated, check the S terminal at the starter, If it illuminates you are getting power to the wire.  If you aren't and you have a remote starter, hook it up to the positive terminal and the S terminal and see if the starter will turn over the engine.  If that works, check to see if the switch rod is pushing the swith far enough to engage the starting portion of the switch.  It may need to be adjusted.  This is what was wrong with mine, plus the key switch wasn't pushing is far enough.  Is your key switch loose?

[lt1kicker]

Okay, I haven't been able to try all the suggestions but it does not even power to the dash.  It should kick on the seatbelt light, and I get nothing.  I did try to jump the clutch switch but got nothing there either.  I don't know if it's in the igntion switch or what.

[VileZambonie]

Is your battery dead?

[lt1kicker]

No battery is fine.  I have power to accessories such as headlights, taillights, lightbar, etc.  Just nothing when the key is turned. 

[VileZambonie]

check your fuses and fusible links...if ok check the ignition switch.

[KojaK 79k10]

79 huh, I had that same thing here. Check your ignition relay rod that goes down the column and all of the electrical connections there as well. I tore apart my whole column and it was just a loose connection on the ignition key assembly at bottom of column before it relays up to key switch.

[lt1kicker]

Not sure what rod you're talking about.  My experiance working with steering columns/ignition harnesses is zero.

I cleaned the contacts at the battery, tapped on the starter, nothing.  I did make an interesting discovery: any items derrived from the ignition, such as windshield wipers, turn-signals, do not work with the key in the "on" position.  What does this mean?  I'm starting to wonder if the switch is junk?

[KojaK 79k10]

The previous problems i have had were in the steering column but my accessories did work. what i was talking about did not affect my accessories such as turn signals. check to see if items not ran through column are working like headlights, that could tell you if you have an ignition type problem or an all over power failure.

[lt1kicker]

Headlights, brakelights, plow all work.  I checked fuses and they are good.  I'm thinking it's either in the starter or the column 

[KojaK 79k10]

like someone previously mentioned, check your fusible links(on fire wall near brake booster) if one is burned open then you could have accessories work but not ignition/starter. on my 79 i have 2 so that might be the problem. there are also plenty of things that can go wrong with a starter but 1 thing i would check first is starter solenoid(mounted on side of starter) with key off you can take a test light and check across the two big terminals to verify if your solenoid is not open or shorted out. also if you haven't already check your battery cables they may look good from outside but can be corroded all the way through and still look good.

[okuma]

have you checked ALL your ground connections...... could be a simple ground connection failure! trust me!

[Dragon]

Headlights, brakelights, plow all work.  I checked fuses and they are good.  I'm thinking it's either in the starter or the column 

AJ what's up my Brother from another forum

 Hey if your having problems with everything that is controled by the ignition itself, I would start by checking out the ignition lock and tumbler(Where the key goes, for those don't know what I am refering to.), and then check the Ignition Switch itself. 
The Starter doesn't have anything to do with the dash lighting up, and if it doesn't light, then it has to do with the column(From what is described.).
I'm leaning more towards the Igniton Switch being faulty, as I've had too many of those buggers go out, despite the age of the Car/Truck, or Switch!!   To attack the Ignition Switch, you will need to drop the column(Don't need to remove from the truck though), and it is towards the bottom of the column on top.  Make sure you adjust the New Ignition Switch as per the instructions! If it is in the Wrong Position, it will continue to contacting the starter, and will overheat your Battery Cables(Including the Ground Cable) causing a Fire

Also, run a check of the Hazzard Lights, if those don't illuminate either(Should light regardless of the key being in the ignition!), you might actually have a short in your Column Wiring and will need a different column to save headaches!!