96-1500
Bluenoser
Hey folks,
The guy I work with runs a 1997 GMC C3500HD, 6.5 diesel/5-speed. Today after leaving the woods, she quit. Just like shutting the key off. Whirled it over for awhile, nothing. After much annoyance spending several hours off and on testing this and testing that (initially I though PMD which has recently been replaced -- but not relocated
-- on the truck), I'm pretty sure the ignition switch is shot.
The reason I say that is that when you turn the key on, the radio comes on and seat belt light comes on, but no glow plugs/engine light etc. It will whirl over forever, but not so much as a kick. Turn the key to off and back to on 15 or 20 times and if you're lucky one time, all the lights will come on as usual and it will start right up and run the very best. Driving down the road, hit the turn signal, and she quits. Same thing.
Now, as I said I'm not 100% sure it's the switch assembly, but it seems pretty plausible. I've read quite a few people have replaced them, but installation instructions seem pretty vague, I think I can figure it out but if anybody has any pointers they would be appreciated.
My main question is, are switches interchangeable from any 96-99 GM truck? I can't seem to find any definitive answer to this anywhere. Being that it's a major pain in the ass to replace, I don't want to just throw parts at it that aren't going to work. If you guys with more electrical knowledge than me (in other words, any monkey) could help, that would be awesome.
PS: this guy has bad luck with trucks. Biggest die hard GM guy you'll ever meet, he currently has 3 GMs on the road. This '97 1-ton, a '91 3/4 ton plow truck that I made a separate thread about (starting issues), and a 2000 GMC extended cab that had the ABS f*** up putting him in a ditch and smashing it up bad. All within a week lol.
The guy I work with runs a 1997 GMC C3500HD, 6.5 diesel/5-speed. Today after leaving the woods, she quit. Just like shutting the key off. Whirled it over for awhile, nothing. After much annoyance spending several hours off and on testing this and testing that (initially I though PMD which has recently been replaced -- but not relocated
-- on the truck), I'm pretty sure the ignition switch is shot. The reason I say that is that when you turn the key on, the radio comes on and seat belt light comes on, but no glow plugs/engine light etc. It will whirl over forever, but not so much as a kick. Turn the key to off and back to on 15 or 20 times and if you're lucky one time, all the lights will come on as usual and it will start right up and run the very best. Driving down the road, hit the turn signal, and she quits. Same thing.
Now, as I said I'm not 100% sure it's the switch assembly, but it seems pretty plausible. I've read quite a few people have replaced them, but installation instructions seem pretty vague, I think I can figure it out but if anybody has any pointers they would be appreciated.
My main question is, are switches interchangeable from any 96-99 GM truck? I can't seem to find any definitive answer to this anywhere. Being that it's a major pain in the ass to replace, I don't want to just throw parts at it that aren't going to work. If you guys with more electrical knowledge than me (in other words, any monkey) could help, that would be awesome.
PS: this guy has bad luck with trucks. Biggest die hard GM guy you'll ever meet, he currently has 3 GMs on the road. This '97 1-ton, a '91 3/4 ton plow truck that I made a separate thread about (starting issues), and a 2000 GMC extended cab that had the ABS f*** up putting him in a ditch and smashing it up bad. All within a week lol.
