85 J20 Ignition issues PLEASE HELP

[Grandpobah68]

Hello, I need help with an ignition issue on my 85 J20. It was starting fine and for some unknown reason she stopped turning over. I have replaced the starter, starter solenoid (twice), ignition switch, battery and a full tune up kit. I am getting 12.26 volts to the one side of the starter solenoid but nothing from the other side to the starter when I turn the ignition. I am getting about 6 volts to the blue wire at the solenoid when I turn the key. I am lost at this point. This is a simple system. What am I missing????

[Tatsadasayago]

Possibly a defective neutral safety switch or ignition switch (The one low on the steering column). If I recall correctly, the blue wire at the solenoid should see more voltage than 6v when the key is turned to the start position. I believe it should be battery voltage.
tgreese is one of our resident electrical Gurus and hopefully he can chime in and help you out.

[Grandpobah68]

I wasn't sure if it had a neutral safety switch. Do you know where it is so I can jump it and see if thats the problem?

[Tatsadasayago]

If your truck is an automatic, the NSS is near the shift linkage on the transmission, drivers side with 3 wires. If it's a manual, it's usually on the shift tower/top cover.

[Tatsadasayago]

I was just thinking;
You can test the starting system by jumping from the battery cable stud on the solenoid to the outer stud. If the starter spins, it's likely the NSS or ignition switch...

[Grandpobah68]

The neutral safety switch is the only thing I haven't replaced. I'll get one tomorrow and see what happens. Thanks Figures it's always the last thing you try. Hopefully thats it.

[will e]

Hey there, I don't know how much you work on old cars. I am going to offer up a bit of advice and I am not trying to be a jerk.
When you are trouble shooting a problem it's not always the best idea to 'throw parts at it'. Not only does it increase the cost but often times one of the 'replacement parts' is defective too. That's just my 2 cents. That being said, you now have a bunch of spare parts for the trail and that is a good thing!

If you haven't purchased the Neutral Safety Switch yet try this first. Turn the key to the start position and try moving the gear selector. Be careful because it might start 'in gear' so chock the wheels, set the parking brake and have your foot on the brake too. It might just be an adjustment is needed, not a new switch.

Also, try what tatsadasayago suggested with the solenoid. This should spin the starter and the result, successful or not, will divide your issue in about half. When you do his test make sure the truck is in park, the parking brake is set and the wheels are chocked. If the truck starts you don't want it running away on ya.

[Tatsadasayago]

As Will E said, the fault is usually the most basic of all. Throwing parts is the easy way out and we only really learn bu thinking about stuff and reducing the problem. I surely hope your solution is a simple and cheap one.

[tgreese]

If you try the method with the jumper cable, be sure the car is in park or neutral and parking brake set. I would also pull the coil wire.

[Grandpobah68]

I want to thank everyone for their help and input. I found the issue and it wasn't even electrical. Turns out the ignition switch rod from the key switch to the ignition switch was out of adjustment. From now on I will take my time and start from one end and trace to the other end instead of just replacing parts. I got lazy and frustrated. Once again thanks for all of your help. She starts right up and is running like a champ.

[Tatsadasayago]

Great news!
Sorry you had to throw parts at the problem, but you will never forget this situation. Well done!