Ignition Assistance Needed

[frankiek15]

Working on a new to me 1976 GMC K15. I have added new exhaust and now intake and carb. It has an issue where you need to pull the auto trans lever counter clockwise slightly with the key in the start position to turn over and start. This worked when I first got it, but then stopped working all the sudden. Based on some internet research I found this may happen with bad ignition switch, which sits in a poor spot on top of the steering column. I replaced the ignition switch and this resolved the issue. Now about 20 starts later it is back to doing nothing when I put the key in the start position and pull the transmission lever counter clockwise. What am I missing? Certainly it didn't burn through another ignition switch this fast. Headlights and radio work find so it's not something super simple like a dead battery. Any and all help would be really appreciated. Thanks.

 

[PrairieDrifter]

Neutral safety switch/adjustment.

 

[frankiek15]

Neutral safety switch/adjustment.

I tried starting it in neutral and it did nothing. Would it still be this switch as the problem?

 

[Turbo4whl]

I tried starting it in neutral and it did nothing. Would it still be this switch as the problem?

The switch is also the adjustment for neutral/park. Loosen the switch mounting screws and slide it slightly, re-tighten the screws. Test again.

 

[CalSgt]

Neutral safety switch/adjustment.

The switch is also the adjustment for neutral/park. Loosen the switch mounting screws and slide it slightly, re-tighten the screws. Test again.

^^^^ what these guys said

Only other possibility is if it’s a loose wobbly tilt column pushing up on the shifter is allowing the ignition switch rod to push the ignition switch just a little farther so it starts

 

[frankiek15]

The switch is also the adjustment for neutral/park. Loosen the switch mounting screws and slide it slightly, re-tighten the screws. Test again.

If I am having to try this, is it best to go ahead and buy a new one to avoid having to have to make this adjustment frequently?

Also, with the aforementioned having to pull on the transmission lever counter clockwise to start, is there a fix for this? Or is this part neutral safety switch issue?

Thanks for the assistance.

 

[Ricko1966]

Switch adjustment,or cracked ignition rack would be my go to's. A cracked rack for awhile you can get all the slop out of everything,by manipulating the column and the shifter as the crack gets worse this quits working. See if you can push the rod that works the ignition switch a little when it doesn't crank,see if it cranks.

 

[CalSgt]

If I am having to try this, is it best to go ahead and buy a new one to avoid having to have to make this adjustment frequently?

Also, with the aforementioned having to pull on the transmission lever counter clockwise to start, is there a fix for this? Or is this part neutral safety switch issue?

Thanks for the assistance.

Does your tilt column wobble? If so that’s a whole other job

The NSS doesn’t seem to wear as bad as ignition switches do, many of the available replacement NSS are adjustable without tools. I bumped mine and knocked it out of adjustment.

One way to adjust the NSS is to put the transmission in reverse (engine off)

Move the switch each way until the backup lights go out. Make a mark at each spot.

Set the switch to the middle of the range where the back up lights are on and tighten the screws.

Put in park and test.

If no start try moving the NSS each direction within the range where the backup lights will work.

If that doesn’t fix it, could be broken ignition rack, loose column or worn ignition switch (or all 3)


Here is what a broken rack looks like, impossible to see without taking the column apart.

You must be registered for see images attach

 

[frankiek15]

Does your tilt column wobble? If so that’s a whole other job

The NSS doesn’t seem to wear as bad as ignition switches do, many of the available replacement NSS are adjustable without tools. I bumped mine and knocked it out of adjustment.

One way to adjust the NSS is to put the transmission in reverse (engine off)

Move the switch each way until the backup lights go out. Make a mark at each spot.

Set the switch to the middle of the range where the back up lights are on and tighten the screws.

Put in park and test.

If no start try moving the NSS each direction within the range where the backup lights will work.

If that doesn’t fix it, could be broken ignition rack, loose column or worn ignition switch (or all 3)


Here is what a broken rack looks like, impossible to see without taking the column apart.

You must be registered for see images attach

No tilt column here unfortunately(would be nice). Really hoping this is the NSS, it seems relatively easy to replace and hoping that fixes it, really hoping it's not the broken rack, very much would like to not to have to take apart the steering column. Ignition switch is new, so I hope that effectively takes it off the table. Thanks for the assist.

 

[CalSgt]

No tilt column here unfortunately(would be nice). Really hoping this is the NSS, it seems relatively easy to replace and hoping that fixes it, really hoping it's not the broken rack, very much would like to not to have to take apart the steering column. Ignition switch is new, so I hope that effectively takes it off the table. Thanks for the assist.

Well…. The assembly of the tilt column is far more difficult than non tilt so you have that going for you is the NSS doesn’t work out

 

[Old Guy Bill]

Start at the NSS switch as others have suggested, it's right up against the firewall on the top side of the column.
I believe it has two wires, jumper them together.. does it start? If so
then remove jumper and adjust the switch as suggested.
If not to the ignition switch, it is adjustable also.

 

[PrairieDrifter]

No tilt column here unfortunately(would be nice). Really hoping this is the NSS, it seems relatively easy to replace and hoping that fixes it, really hoping it's not the broken rack, very much would like to not to have to take apart the steering column. Ignition switch is new, so I hope that effectively takes it off the table. Thanks for the assist.

When you say ignition switch, do you mean the mechanical ignition tumbler? Or the electrical switch?

 

[Ricko1966]

If you pull the ignition switch back off and run it through it's full range of motion with a small screwdriver. If the truck starts it is almost for sure the ignition rack

 

[frankiek15]

Does your tilt column wobble? If so that’s a whole other job

The NSS doesn’t seem to wear as bad as ignition switches do, many of the available replacement NSS are adjustable without tools. I bumped mine and knocked it out of adjustment.

One way to adjust the NSS is to put the transmission in reverse (engine off)

Move the switch each way until the backup lights go out. Make a mark at each spot.

Set the switch to the middle of the range where the back up lights are on and tighten the screws.

Put in park and test.

If no start try moving the NSS each direction within the range where the backup lights will work.

If that doesn’t fix it, could be broken ignition rack, loose column or worn ignition switch (or all 3)


Here is what a broken rack looks like, impossible to see without taking the column apart.

You must be registered for see images attach

Thanks for all the assistance. I pulled the column down and manually with pliers pushed the ignition rod forward in the ignition switch and it tried to start (think I need to work on my timing since I just pulled the engine apart and put it back together, I think I may need to ensure the distributor is set up properly with it pointing at cylinder one when its near top dead center--thats gonna be fun---not), but then also had an issue where it stopped trying to turn over for me, so like a good amateur mechanic I whacked the NSS a few times and it went back to trying to start for me---so going to need a new one of those.

So I am looking at digging in to the steering colum to replace the ignition rack, getting the nss and installing it, and already have the new ignition switch installed from before when I thought that was the actual probelm.

Trying to decide between doing all that or buying a remanufactured tilt column instead and replacing it as a unit so that I would cut down on my sweat and busted knuckles, and gain a tilting column for more room to wiggle around behind at the same time. Leaning toward the remanufactured tilt column. Probably would be cheaper just to buy a few parts and rebuild my own non-tilt column, but as I see it this is a good time to convince my wife I need to splurge on the new tilt column. Any thoughts?