My baby is sick!!!

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scottywiley

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OK, here's the deal. Truck was running great. Out of the blue, I got in it to go to work. It cranks and fires like normal. But it runs for about 2 seconds then dies. Anybody got any idea as to what would cause this? I've actually had an issue with my multi function switch. In those instances truck would be going down road and just lose power. I would have to hit bottom of steering column. Then it fired right back up. I have a new multi function switch. But haven't installed yet. Do ya'll think this switch could be the problem?

As always, thanks for the help I know I'll get, Scotty
 

HotWheelsBurban

Gotta have 4 doors..... Rawhide, TOTY 2023!
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Yes sounds like a damaged wire somewhere. There's so many places in a tilt column where this can happen. Since your truck is a 3500, probably no airbag to deal with in the steering wheel, so that's good in terms of taking the column apart.
From what I've been told and read, Passlock is not supposed to be in play at any other time than startup. But who knows what the module is " thinking " when it starts going bad.
The multi function switch can be changed on a tilt column without taking the wheel off; my cousin did it that way when he swapped it out on my Burb 2 years ago. But he has a lot of small specialized tools and works in confined space in his job. And he really didn't want to mess with taking the wheel off !
If it were me, I would pull the column apart and change the multi function switch, and inspect the wiring on it and all the other wires in the column and under the dashboard. Something is making contact where it's not supposed to, or a wire is partially broken. The small gauge stranded wires are delicate and after 20+ years of flexing can and do break. Hopefully it's a bad switch or its harness, but could be something else. The live data scanning is also a good idea, so you can see what's going on with the engine and electronics. Please post updates, hope all this helps you get it fixed.
 

someotherguy

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I would not blame Passlock either, especially dying going down the road, that is absolutely not Passlock behavior. And in my experience, Passlock kills the engine immediately after starting, not even 2 seconds.

BTW stating year, model, engine, etc. any time you start a new post cuts out some of the guesswork when people are replying.

Ignition switch or column wiring are the suspects here..

Richard
 

thegawd

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I put my money on the electrical ignition switch.... as these are kinda fricken expensive I went to the scrap yard and pulled 3 from lower mileage trucks and the first one I tried fixed my problem. And I have 2 more on hand if need be.

Pass lock ignition switches have an extra wire and plug.

I drilled the hole in the column to easily remove my lock cylinder... I can easily not see it or care. I dont live in a high crime area.... if you want the measurement I can get that.

Al
 

thegawd

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Here ya go anyways.... its squared off from back of lock cylinder to emergency 4 way switch, which is basically parallel to the dash.... 1 3/4" over. Then all you have to do is stick a nail or small punch down inside the hole while turning the key passed the start position until it pops out in your hand.... this is step 2 after disconnecting the battery of course....

Al

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