1990 will not start - Chevy chassis

[John From Detroit]

Assuming a Chevy chassis, I think (emphasis on "think") that if you remove the "crank" fuse that the starter is disabled. Easy enough to check.

I tend to agree. Big chevy (GM) engines use a "pilot relay" system The start contacts and wires in/to the ignition switch are not heavy enough to handle the starter solenoid so on my Daughter's Grand Am they did a recall because the cars tended to "Flame On".

The fix: Adding a pilot relay.
On my slightly newer (2005) Workhorse (GM design) it was done at the factory by design.

How do I know this.
Turned the key and heard a sharp CLICK, no clunk no stutter no crank.
Pulled the Pilot (START) relay from the fuse block and cleaned the contacts.

Put it back and turned the key to VAROOM.
There is a fuse protecting the Starter Solenoid wires.

 

[Ex-Calif]

Happy to hear you got it running!

 

[udidwht]

I went ahead and pulled the ignition switch in mine in 2018. Put a new Delco one in. Opened the old one and found nothing abnormal. Kept it as a back up. What happens with these switches is that over time many owners will add accessories overloading the switch causing it to burn out.

Fortunate for me the PO did not add any. All OEM wiring. And I've kept it that way. With exception of pulling the overhead TV and replacing it with an LED panel.

 

[uchu]

What happens with these switches is that over time many owners will add accessories overloading the switch causing it to burn out.

What kind of accessories can you add to an ignition switch? I thought they were pretty much a stand alone unit.

 

[udidwht]

What kind of accessories can you add to an ignition switch? I thought they were pretty much a stand alone unit.

The ignition switch is a pass thru.