GrayGhost_
Junior Member
- Joined
- Oct 5, 2025
- Posts
- 4
- Reaction score
- 10
- Location
- Louisiana
- First Name
- DR
- Truck Year
- 1982
- Truck Model
- K3500
- Engine Size
- 454
Good evening, y'all.
I have an '82 GMC High Sierra 3500 3+3 4WD truck. Apologies in advance for the lengthy post, but I want to be thorough.
The history: about 15 years ago, we were living in the backwoods of the Missouri Ozarks and a starting issue arose. No parts store around. I found that the starter solenoid was not getting power to engage. So I did what any respectable redneck would do... I ran a hot wire from the battery into the cab to a pushbutton starter switch and then down to the solenoid. I removed the original wire going to the solenoid. From then on, all I had to do was turn the key to the "on" position and hit the button. Worked like a champ... until recently.
Over the past 15 years, I've had no issues except for routine items... batteries, tires, an alternator, etc., with the truck starting and running just fine. I've even replaced the starter pushbutton... the one in use right now is new and tested. The other day, I got in the truck to go to work. Click. Nothing. You could hear the starter solenoid engage, but the starter would not spin. I pulled the battery and had it checked. It tested bad and was replaced. Put the new battery in and hit the start button... nothing.
I then pulled the starter and had it tested. The clerk hadn't secured it right enough it seems, and the dang thing nearly jumped out of the testing station... it tested good. I had also removed the new battery and had it tested as well. It seems that even new parts come bad right off the shelf these days. The battery was Napa-branded and I've had trouble with these lately. The last 2 didn't last longer than about 6 months each. They were all warrantied at no cost.
My thought now was that the original Missouri no-start issue was due to a bad ignition switch. I replaced that today. After I switched the key to the "on" position and lowered the steering column, I checked the switch position of the old one and moved the new switch to the same position and installed it. I had also put the original wire back on the starter solenoid post. This time, no start with the key, but if I pressed the starter button, which is still hooked up, I could again hear the solenoid engage, but the starter would not turn. All fuses tested good in the fuse block.
I did notice something curious: after attempting to start the truck, everything would lose power... interior light, blower, radio, cigarette light plug, everything. Only after you turned the key off and closed the door and let it sit for a bit (maybe almost instantly?) , you could then open the door, see the interior light on, blower and radio work, etc.
The key switch for the ignition acts kinda funky, so my next thought is to replace the key switch. The thought being is that maybe the tumbler/mechanism is not moving the ignition linkage rod to the correct position, or completely, in the ignition switch. The truck has a tilt column, and the steering wheel is wobbly, which is common. This is the motivation I need now to fix this while I have wheel off to replace the key switch.
What am I missing? Any thoughts or advice on possible solutions would be greatly appreciated!
I need my truck!!
Thanks in advance!
I have an '82 GMC High Sierra 3500 3+3 4WD truck. Apologies in advance for the lengthy post, but I want to be thorough.
The history: about 15 years ago, we were living in the backwoods of the Missouri Ozarks and a starting issue arose. No parts store around. I found that the starter solenoid was not getting power to engage. So I did what any respectable redneck would do... I ran a hot wire from the battery into the cab to a pushbutton starter switch and then down to the solenoid. I removed the original wire going to the solenoid. From then on, all I had to do was turn the key to the "on" position and hit the button. Worked like a champ... until recently.
Over the past 15 years, I've had no issues except for routine items... batteries, tires, an alternator, etc., with the truck starting and running just fine. I've even replaced the starter pushbutton... the one in use right now is new and tested. The other day, I got in the truck to go to work. Click. Nothing. You could hear the starter solenoid engage, but the starter would not spin. I pulled the battery and had it checked. It tested bad and was replaced. Put the new battery in and hit the start button... nothing.
I then pulled the starter and had it tested. The clerk hadn't secured it right enough it seems, and the dang thing nearly jumped out of the testing station... it tested good. I had also removed the new battery and had it tested as well. It seems that even new parts come bad right off the shelf these days. The battery was Napa-branded and I've had trouble with these lately. The last 2 didn't last longer than about 6 months each. They were all warrantied at no cost.
My thought now was that the original Missouri no-start issue was due to a bad ignition switch. I replaced that today. After I switched the key to the "on" position and lowered the steering column, I checked the switch position of the old one and moved the new switch to the same position and installed it. I had also put the original wire back on the starter solenoid post. This time, no start with the key, but if I pressed the starter button, which is still hooked up, I could again hear the solenoid engage, but the starter would not turn. All fuses tested good in the fuse block.
I did notice something curious: after attempting to start the truck, everything would lose power... interior light, blower, radio, cigarette light plug, everything. Only after you turned the key off and closed the door and let it sit for a bit (maybe almost instantly?) , you could then open the door, see the interior light on, blower and radio work, etc.
The key switch for the ignition acts kinda funky, so my next thought is to replace the key switch. The thought being is that maybe the tumbler/mechanism is not moving the ignition linkage rod to the correct position, or completely, in the ignition switch. The truck has a tilt column, and the steering wheel is wobbly, which is common. This is the motivation I need now to fix this while I have wheel off to replace the key switch.
What am I missing? Any thoughts or advice on possible solutions would be greatly appreciated!
I need my truck!!
Thanks in advance!
