So I flip my key to on I dont hear a click and my wait to start light doesnt come one but it will when i crank for a second for checking the bulbs.

And it doesnt start very well in the cold.

 

watch your charge needle after a cold start, it should draw down for a few seconds 8 or 9 times (at least). If it doesn't, you grids aren't activating. My wait to start light only comes on for the check, it is different than the later pcm controlled rigs (I think). Check the fusible links...Mark

 

89/90 and early 91 trucks that are not intercooled have a different setting in their grid heater control box. The grid heaters will not "charge" (Wait to Start) until the temperature drops below -10*C or 14*F. Above those temperatures the grid heaters just cycle on/off in short bursts to help warm the air up.