Starting Problem

[BBoyle]

99 2500/391K-Stock showing no codes. Started with solenoid just clicking when trying to start but would start if you shorted solenoid. Now doesn't click but still start by shorting solenoid. Since problem started ABS and air bag light in dash are on and no speedometer or power windows. Ignition switch perhaps?

 

[petersonj]

I would check body grounds since some unrelated circuits are being affected. Fuses should also be checked as well main battery cables and connections (positive and negative) including the positive crossover cable.

My truck is an '02 and I had a ground wire break due to flexing from normal operation of the tilt steering wheel. That broken ground affected some of the things you mentioned.

Check the basics first, otherwise you could be buying lots of parts.

- John

 

[bcbender]

Tilt wheel causes all kinds of headaches with the IGN switch harness as it flexes and pull on the connector when used (tilted)... My 04 burned out several pins and melted the connector, I fixed it and zip tied it to provide a strain relief... I was also having electrical issues but mostly AC fan and acc circuits.

 

[Matt42]

Tilt wheel causes all kinds of headaches with the IGN switch harness as it flexes and pull on the connector when used (tilted)... My 04 burned out several pins and melted the connector, I fixed it and zip tied it to provide a strain relief... I was also having electrical issues but mostly AC fan and acc circuits.

Yes. This. Also, many problems diagnosed as needing a new clock spring are just bad connections in the steering column. I had this exact problem with a 2004 at work. It would actually not start or stop running when the tilt wheel was at the full-up position. Until I fixed the easy problem, it was a good prank on my 375 pound supervisor. I had a similar problem with a 2007 Town & Country. Making sure that the wires to the steering wheel had plenty of slack at the pivot and were also secured well at their ends solved both problems.

 

[BigPapa]

Fortunately, I've never had the tilt issue on the '95 or the '98. Total of 20 +years and 500K+ miles between the two. It gets tilted up when I get out and down when I'm driving every time.

 

[Matt42]

Fortunately, I've never had the tilt issue on the '95 or the '98. Total of 20 +years and 500K+ miles between the two. It gets tilted up when I get out and down when I'm driving every time.

Ditto with my 1996. On the other hand, during the times I have had the steering column cover off, I secured the wires anyway, just to be safe. I can't say that it mattered.

 

[petersonj]

Fortunately, I've never had the tilt issue on the '95 or the '98. Total of 20 +years and 500K+ miles between the two. It gets tilted up when I get out and down when I'm driving every time.

I will bet the wiring harness was supported differently and in a better manner with the '98 and older trucks. In my '02 there is a six six wire connector and some other individual wires for the cruise control inside the tilt wheel area. All of the associated wires have to flex considerably in a confined space during tilt wheel operation.

I had to repair two different wires for cruise control at two separate times - once at 215,000 miles and once again at 335,000 miles. After the second repair I had several things that didn't work - ventilation fan, speedometer, and some other things. I figured I must created the problem when I was repairing the cruise control. I removed the tilt wheel cover again and saw a broken wire right at the six pin connector. When I removed the six pin connection connector, another wire broke. All of the wires have to bend too much in a short radius, thus eventually the wire strands break inside the insulation. Not a good design.

On the other hand, I have never had a problem with the clock spring.

- John