engine won't turn over when using key

davbell22602 · 11-11-2009, 06:51 AM

I have 1990 chevy c2500 3/4 ton heavy duty with manual transmission. I this truck ran fine 3 days ago but now engine won't turn over using the key. I turn over the engine by hand or jumping the starter with a screwdriver.I had the starter tested at autozone also and passed. I replaced both parts of ignition switch. I tested the battery cables with a test light. I had autozone test the battery and passed. This truck had originially automatic transmission but when it was changed it the neutral safety switch was never wired up but its there for the clutch pedal. I don't know if the automatic neutral safety switch was bypassed or finding it.There is a wired plug hanging under the truck were automatic transmission used to be. If somebody can whats that for? I know when the battery is hooked up and when trying to start it with the key it drains the battery. This truck ran fine from previous the owner for over 2 years. Any ideas?

gmctrucks · 11-11-2009, 07:24 AM

Welcome to the forum and howdy from TEXAS. I say it's the wire going to the solenoid because it works with a screw driver. Place a volt meter on the battery and start pulling fuses that might get you close to why it's draining the battery. Does it do it always meaning not starting or only when hot also does the starter have a heat shield on it?

davbell22602 · 11-11-2009, 07:50 AM

The battery was fine until this happened. Whats a heat shield? Where does the other end of wire go from the starter? I traced it to the firewall on drivers side of the truck. Is it hard to replace?

chevyguy · 11-11-2009, 11:09 AM

Could be solenoid or loss of power to the switch the tell the solenoid to close when the key it turned to the start position. You know the small wire gooing to the solenoid.

davbell22602 · 11-11-2009, 12:41 PM

I don't see how when the starter passes the bench test at autozone and engine turns over when jumping the starter with a screwdriver. At the beginning I thought it was a starter but the new starter didn't change anything so took it back and got one back. But I guess anything is possible

dk-93silverado · 11-11-2009, 01:33 PM

Can you verify the situation with the neutral safety switch? hopefully it was wired up well. If not it could be causing you a complication if a wre came loose. Run a continuity check on the wire from the neutral safety switch to the starter solenoid to verify it's not broken somewhere. Test neutral safety switch for correct operation.

dk-93silverado · 11-11-2009, 01:36 PM

When it's draining the battery upon attempting to start it do any wires get warm? It sounds like the wire going to the solenoid has a short to ground somewhere. I am confused by what you are saying about the neutral safety switch. Is it the one from the automatic or from a manual? Is it hooked up or not?

davbell22602 · 11-11-2009, 01:46 PM

The truck has manual transmission but is still probably equipped with automatic neutral switch because it was bypassed. There is a neutral safety switch for the clutch pedal but it was never wired up because the truck was a automatic from the factory. Also the truck would turn over in any gear.

dk-93silverado · 11-11-2009, 02:02 PM

Sounds like it was bypassed alright. If this battery drain upon turning the key started at the same time as the no start condition than I would suspect the wire going to starter solenoid has contacted ground somewhere along the way prior to the starter.

davbell22602 · 11-11-2009, 02:37 PM

thanks for info.

11-11-2009, 06:51 AM	#1
davbell22602 Senior Member Join Date: Nov 2009 Location: winchester, va Posts: 3,598	engine won't turn over when using key I have 1990 chevy c2500 3/4 ton heavy duty with manual transmission. I this truck ran fine 3 days ago but now engine won't turn over using the key. I turn over the engine by hand or jumping the starter with a screwdriver.I had the starter tested at autozone also and passed. I replaced both parts of ignition switch. I tested the battery cables with a test light. I had autozone test the battery and passed. This truck had originially automatic transmission but when it was changed it the neutral safety switch was never wired up but its there for the clutch pedal. I don't know if the automatic neutral safety switch was bypassed or finding it.There is a wired plug hanging under the truck were automatic transmission used to be. If somebody can whats that for? I know when the battery is hooked up and when trying to start it with the key it drains the battery. This truck ran fine from previous the owner for over 2 years. Any ideas?

11-11-2009, 11:09 AM	#4
chevyguy Senior Member Join Date: Sep 2005 Location: ALABAMA Posts: 3,555	Could be solenoid or loss of power to the switch the tell the solenoid to close when the key it turned to the start position. You know the small wire gooing to the solenoid. __________________ Some people are like slinkies, Basically useless, But fun to watch when you push them down the stairs.

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11-11-2009, 07:24 AM	#2
gmctrucks Senior Member Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: Houston,Texas Posts: 4,635	Welcome to the forum and howdy from TEXAS. I say it's the wire going to the solenoid because it works with a screw driver. Place a volt meter on the battery and start pulling fuses that might get you close to why it's draining the battery. Does it do it always meaning not starting or only when hot also does the starter have a heat shield on it?

11-11-2009, 07:50 AM	#3
davbell22602 Senior Member Join Date: Nov 2009 Location: winchester, va Posts: 3,598	The battery was fine until this happened. Whats a heat shield? Where does the other end of wire go from the starter? I traced it to the firewall on drivers side of the truck. Is it hard to replace?

11-11-2009, 12:41 PM	#5
davbell22602 Senior Member Join Date: Nov 2009 Location: winchester, va Posts: 3,598	I don't see how when the starter passes the bench test at autozone and engine turns over when jumping the starter with a screwdriver. At the beginning I thought it was a starter but the new starter didn't change anything so took it back and got one back. But I guess anything is possible

11-11-2009, 01:33 PM	#6
dk-93silverado Senior Member Join Date: Sep 2009 Location: Mid Missouri Posts: 56	Can you verify the situation with the neutral safety switch? hopefully it was wired up well. If not it could be causing you a complication if a wre came loose. Run a continuity check on the wire from the neutral safety switch to the starter solenoid to verify it's not broken somewhere. Test neutral safety switch for correct operation.

11-11-2009, 01:36 PM	#7
dk-93silverado Senior Member Join Date: Sep 2009 Location: Mid Missouri Posts: 56	When it's draining the battery upon attempting to start it do any wires get warm? It sounds like the wire going to the solenoid has a short to ground somewhere. I am confused by what you are saying about the neutral safety switch. Is it the one from the automatic or from a manual? Is it hooked up or not?

11-11-2009, 01:46 PM	#8
davbell22602 Senior Member Join Date: Nov 2009 Location: winchester, va Posts: 3,598	The truck has manual transmission but is still probably equipped with automatic neutral switch because it was bypassed. There is a neutral safety switch for the clutch pedal but it was never wired up because the truck was a automatic from the factory. Also the truck would turn over in any gear.

11-11-2009, 02:02 PM	#9
dk-93silverado Senior Member Join Date: Sep 2009 Location: Mid Missouri Posts: 56	Sounds like it was bypassed alright. If this battery drain upon turning the key started at the same time as the no start condition than I would suspect the wire going to starter solenoid has contacted ground somewhere along the way prior to the starter.

11-11-2009, 02:37 PM	#10
davbell22602 Senior Member Join Date: Nov 2009 Location: winchester, va Posts: 3,598	thanks for info.