truck started fine 45 mins before. stopped at store and won't start now. all lights are on, everything seems normal, then won't turn over, not even a click.

found clutch safety switch wires, could of been cut by being stepped on (when pushing clutch in) or previous owner cut??

can you help us please?

thanks

Jon's mom

 

Have him roll start it so he can get home. If he's lucky enough to be parked on a hill, all he needs to do is put the trans in 3rd or reverse (whichever way the slope is), turn on the key, release the parking brake and push in the clutch, let the truck roll up to around 5 mph, and dump the clutch.

You're in IL so there probably isn't a hill around. If he can get a couple of people (or someone who doesn't care about their bumper) to give him a push he can roll start it that way. 3rd gear is best.

 

If the clutch safety-switch wires are not connected, as in cut in two, skin off some insulation and twist them together.

If that is the problem, it should start with the wires twisted together.

This eliminates the safety-switch, so it can crank and run through the barn wall, if it is started in gear.

 

Check the wonderful fusible links, I had one leave me stranded because it didn't burn through its insulation. It was the first red one---goes to the ignition switch.

 

Jon gets points for having his mom post for him. Hope it works out for him...

(That made my day)

 

just let Ya'll know, I am home. It is the clutch saftey, was able to wiggle myself under the steering wheel pull the switch forward and then turn the key. Started right up. Got someting in mind to fix that other than srewing around with it. Thanks for your help ya'll!

Jon

Ps. Thanks Dave for helping me! No wonder why your an Admin.

 

Oh the switch I was messing with was the cruise control switch.

Thats right, madhat, I get points for having a mother that cares! She really made my day to post here too!

 

Always great to have a mom that cares about you. Glad you figured out what was wrong.

 

Does your Mom want to adopt another son? I don't eat much and I only have 3 dogs.

 

She already has 11! 1 more wont hurt, if you can live with the dogs Yes I did say 11. As she puts it "10 homegrown and 1 transplanted/grafted in." I am the oldest at 18 down to 18 months (adopted baby).

To get back on track, I was wondering if this idea would work. Get a short spring, approx. 1/4-1/2", and put it behind the switch. The reason I think this would work is this way. When you push in the clutch the spring would go against the firewall and hence push the switch. The reason to use a spring is because when you slam the clutch to the floor, trying to race the ricer, it would give enough so the switch wont get busted when meeting firewall and any other contraption (like washers behind it, yea I did think of that )

But like I said I think this just might work.

Any input?

Thanks

dieseljon

 

If you are going to that much trouble, simply skin the wires and twist them together, effectively eliminating the function of the switch.

There are two trucks sitting in my driveway that caught me in unhandy spots, refusing to start.

I twisted the wires together on both of them and they have been like that for years with no problems.

If someone tries to crank a truck, without first ascertaining that it is in neutral, they don't have any business being around a truck in the first place.

 

Yeah, just bypass the switch.

 

You probably have some wear in the linkages, connections in your pedal assembly. Dodge put some cheesy nylon bushings that wear out pretty quick, then start removing metal after the bushing is gone. I took the pedal out of my 91 and welded the hole (for the pedal rod to go thru) up some, then ground it back round with a die grinder. Still have some slop, but it was better than before.

I bypass the safety switch if it is still in the truck.

One other thing you can do to get it to start (MAKE SURE YOU'RE IN NEUTRAL FIRST) is to find the brown wire from the starter and trace it back toward the battery. There is a connector you need to unplug, then jump the brown wire male connector to the positive batt terminal with a screwdriver, pocket knife, et al, and it will start. Wath for sparks as they occasionally occur. This works in emergencies, and you dont have to crawl into the engine compartment to getr down to the starter.

Daniel