Starter engages with key in off position.

[papa1]

First post and I'm here because I've got trouble. I have a 95 GMC 5.0, 5 speed. I've had problems with the battery going down over night. If I'm not careful to turn off the blower motor on the dash, the ignition key won't either.

Now a new problem. When I push in on the clutch the starter engages. When I release, it disengages. It will do this no matter what position the key is in. If the ignition is on, the truck will start, but the starter engages when push in on the clutch to change gears. If the ignition isn't turned on, the truck will crank, but will not start. Letting off on the clutch will stop the starter from engaging.

I've already replaced the starter and solenoid. That didn't help, either.

Does anyone out there have a clue as to where I should look next? Like everybody else, it's my work truck and carries all my tools. Thanks in advance for your consideration and help.

papa1

I just went out and pulled the ignition tumbler and ignition switch. With the batter hooked up and no key/switch installed. I pushed in on the clutch. The starter engaged and the motor started and ran. The clutch still engaged when I pushed in on it with the engine running.

[crabtruck]

Welcome to the forum papa1.
Down to your edit I was thinking you have a bad ign switch.
Clutch switch for starter on the key "start" leg.
Are you now saying the truck starts while the ign switch is unplugged ?

[papa1]

Originally Posted by crabtruck

Down to your edit I was thinking you have a bad ign switch.
Clutch switch for starter on the key "start" leg.
Are you now saying the truck starts while the ign switch is unplugged ?

Thanks for the response. No, the switch was not unplugged. I pulled the tumbler out (which put the key over in the start position) then I unbolted the ignition switch (which also left the switch in the start position) and let it dangle from the column. I was so frustrated that I didn't stop to think about what I had done. I just came in the house and flamed my original post. Of course it started...duh! Of course the clutch still engaged the starter...

Originally I thought it was a stuck starter solenoid and rather than just change the solenoid I decided to change the whole starter at $100+. When that didn't work, I then thought it might be the ignition switch, another $100+ part. I have the switch in hand but wanted to make sure someone else agreed with me before I made another $100 mistake. The countermen at two parts houses had never heard of this problem, so couldn't add much to the conversation.

Two heads are better than one. If you agree that a switch is a reasonable assumption, I'll change it out and let everyone know how it goes. I don't mind being wrong. I've been married for 42 years. I'm used to being wrong. I just don't want to walk back into the house again today and say I bought another hundred dollars worth of parts and the truck still isn't fixed. It's an old man thing.

Thanks and Merry Christmas!
papa1

[mudseeker]

might as well switch the ignition, most electronics are not returnable.

[papa1]

Yeah, seeker. I'm going to...but I live in Southeast Kansas and iIt's freezing rain today. It should be nice again tomorrow. One good thing about living here. If you don't like the weather today just wait...it'll change in a day or two.

Thanks for the support. Merry Christmas.
papa1

[crabtruck]

Hope the switch gets it but I'm still a little confused what
was connected when truck started.
Guess that's better than WON'T start LOL.

Temp dropped to 37 deg F last night at about 3AM
when I went to pick up my kid from work.
Astounding considering I live in sunny CA near the beach.
If you're looking at a map, I'm about half way up,
near where that dent in the edge looks like tonsils.

Merry Christmas back at ya ! (Get me something ? )

[papa1]

It's all relative. At 3 am you were down to 37. Today, with luck, it'll get up to 37 here. I just found out I have more problems than a bad switch in the truck. As I looked out the window this morning, surveying the kingdom, I noticed something that struck fear in my heart. Grandma's car window is part way down this morning and it snowed last night.

Last night me and my old dog used her new car and the dog had to have his window down. He forgot to roll his window back up when we got back home, but I'll be the one that gets blamed for it. Hopefully, it'll be warm enough to put the switch in the pickup about the time they release me from the hospital.

Yes, I did get you something special for Christmas. I made you a snowball. But by the time it gets out to sunny CA it probably won't look much like one. I'll post when I get the switch put in the truck.

Thanks, and Merry Christmas.
papa1

[crabtruck]

Sense of humor works for me !
Guess you and the dog will be switching houses.
Looking foward to the update post, folks sometimes forget that's important.
Sending a snowballl to a hot place huh ? gee thanks !

[papa1]

Originally Posted by crabtruck

Looking foward to the update post, folks sometimes forget that's important.
Sending a snowballl to a hot place huh ? gee thanks !

Man, I had a great Christmas. I hope all of you did, also. The grandkids convinced grandma that leaving a window down in a snowstorm could have happened to anybody. All that cost me was a squirrel hunt with them. I'm more excited about that than they are.

One bit of information I left out of the original post was that I had already changed out the switch about a year ago for a different reason. It locked up tight and wouldn't come out of the lock position. Tumbler was ok. The switch just locked up. I guess that's one of those unexpected benefits of building stuff out of plastic? Anyway, the new, "new switch" stopped the clutch from engaging the starter with the key off.

Now I have to replace the driver's inside door handle. That's the second time to change that cheesy plastic part, too. Thanks for the help, guys. I'll return the favor when I can.

Have a happy and safe new year.
papa1