Archived HELP..Electronic malfunction

[zack_76401]

See if anyone can help... im in a real bind here... . This morning i got in my 98 3500 12 valve and started it up ... no prob..... went to the ATM machine and left it runnin while i got some cash. . came back and jumped in the truck, lowered my steering wheel and everything died. All my lights still work including my inside light. Everything that runs through the ignition (key) switch wont... ... . I have no idea. . i've checked al my fuses... all goood..... when i turn the key over i hear the relay under the hood click but no dash/dummy lights or check engine lights and no hummin cummin turnin over... ... If any one has any info it would be most appreciated. . this is my daily work horse..... Thanks

 

[rkressg]

Possibly a dumb answer. Smack the starter with a big hammer, see if the bendix is jammed

 

[Sticks]

Sounds like a wire in the steering column got broke, although it may be something as simple as the connection to the ignition came lose.



Try turning the key to start, while tilting the wheel up and down. If you get an intermittent starter while doing this, you have at least isolated the problem to the steering column. Next I would try to dig down to the ignition to make sure that the wire harness is connected. If that is OK, time to start looking for broken wires.



BEWARE OF THE AIRBAG!!! YELLOW WIRES=NO TOUCHY!



Edit It would be best to consult a shop manual before you start taking apart your steering column.



Hope it's nothing serious.

 

[willyslover]

Zack. . use the search feature and look for some past threads... this has happened in the past... you have a direct short in the wires in the steering column. . IMHO ... . close to the joint where wheel bends down.

 

[zack_76401]

guys thanks for the replies i took apart the steering column cover... ... . (with the batteries unhooked) and found about a 10 gauge red wire ripped out of the harness so i fixxed up a newer longer red wire and it fixxed the prob... ... thanks for the inputs though... ... simple fix but left me walkin this morning. .

 

[Sticks]

Originally posted by zack_76401

guys thanks for the replies i took apart the steering column cover... ... . (with the batteries unhooked) and found about a 10 gauge red wire ripped out of the harness so i fixxed up a newer longer red wire and it fixxed the prob... ... thanks for the inputs though... ... simple fix but left me walkin this morning. .

Glad to hear it was something simple!