88 not starting, ignition switch?

[cocco78]

Ok, so the manche has a new problem starting. Of course it'll do this with a daytime high temp of -5 degrees :mad: The starter is new as of last year, it works fine. I go to start it and it doesn't do anything, not even a click, same thing in park or neutral. Odd thing is that when I was playing with some stuff in the dash last week I had the tilt wheel all the way down, and it wouldn't start then either. But it started when I returned the wheel to its normal position. Coincidence? Or is there something in the steering column that would cause this? Where is the switch for only letting it start in P or N?

 

This kinda sucked because it stalled in me today when I was backed half way out in the street when it died (it needs a battery and the plow motor killed it). Oh the street had zero traffic on it until the Jeep died, then it was non stop traffic for half an hour while I tried to get it back in the driveway, must have been a game or something at the school I live by that let out :roll:

[brdhntr]

i know about working in the cold and it sucks! it is now warming up to -5 here. the low thursday is supposed to be -31. i'm putting off working on anything until it warms up above 0.

 

anyway, when it's cold, i always start with the easiest possability so i don't have to work in the cold very long. in this case, i'd check the battery cables. are they tight? are they clean? feel for any possible cracks. you can get power enough to work the lights and stuff but not turn it over. i'd start there, it's cheap and easy.

 

it certainly can be the switch, but that takes longer. ;)

[Ed in North Ga.]

your tilt column is the clue-

 

inside the column, is the rod that go`s down to the ignition switch- said switch is mounted with a small screw that rides in a slot on the switch so its adjustable-

 

The switch itself is a slide- the rod slides it up and down off the keyswitch turning-

 

"IF" the switch on the lower column is loose, or worn out, it won't make a good contact when you turn the key- I don't have the instructions handy on setting it, but its fairly easy- something like "the rod has to be in the 3ed position on the slide when the key is in ingnition on position(probably not right, but something like that)-

 

OR- if you were like me ontime, and have lots of gadgets, and used the ignition as a power source to turn your junk on, the switch is probably melted off the blue wire- just enough to make life fun.

 

--PS: automatics/manuals have different switchs. Cheap insurance to carry a spare beside your spare CPS in the glovebox.

[cocco78]

It got down to -19 last I checked before bed, its -11 right now and should reach a high of -3 for the day with windchill of -30 degree's

 

Anyhow I don't think its the battery cables as jumping it did nothing. This weekend i'm going to get a new battery for it, the cold weather pretty much killed it, and a 105 amp alternator to keep the plow happy. But I'll check that switch, sounds like thats the problem to me.

[BLHTAZ]

Ya'll should put your locations in your profiles so we know where "here" is :idea:

It might also be a good idea to put a little info in your signature about your rig or be sure to post what you have when asking questions about problems.

 

Ed...yours is obvious ;)

[cocco78]

Ok, I updated my profile with my location! Yeah I should have done that a while ago. Oh, I posted what I had in the tittle, its an 88 but I suppose I could have added 4.0L, auto... Oops!

[Ed in North Ga.]

Ya'll should put your locations in your profiles so we know where "here" is :idea:

It might also be a good idea to put a little info in your signature about your rig or be sure to post what you have when asking questions about problems.

 

Ed...yours is obvious ;)

 

well...yes.

point taken though. I`m Ed in North Ga in just about ever forum Ive ever joined...makes it easy to remember.

[cocco78]

Ok this is getting old dealing with this thing, it still has not been above zero so I havent looked at it. Sometimes it starts and sometimes it doesn't, I kinda looked under the dash and i'm guessing I have to remove alot of stuff to see the switch?? Any other pointers on dealing with the switch besides the big screw driver on the starter method, lol

[carnuck]

Add a push button emergency start switch. If auto, then neutral safety switch. Stick can be the clutch disengage switch on the top of the pedal.

[Ed in North Ga.]

Ok this is getting old dealing with this thing, it still has not been above zero so I havent looked at it. Sometimes it starts and sometimes it doesn't, I kinda looked under the dash and i'm guessing I have to remove alot of stuff to see the switch?? Any other pointers on dealing with the switch besides the big screw driver on the starter method, lol

 

well...the switch is a PITA to see for sure- its on the lower column, above the floorboard on top and left- the right side is the wire loom connect to the multiswitch (horn/turn signal/hazard,ect)-

that runs up the steering column- its a standard GM style loom, flatwire with wide plug.

to get to it, well....theres two ways. You can go upside down, or sideways from the pasenger side- either way your heads gotta be down there where your feet would be....and it sucks.

 

If you go ahead and buy a new switch, it`ll have the directions inside (or search the net-bound to be out there somewhere)

but without them, playing with that switch can be dangerous or fun...depending on your mood- it IS possible the starter may bump....ect,ect...but, without removal, you can't really look at it to see if its toasted either-