2nd Gen Non-Engine/Transmission Truck won't Start: Neutral Safety Switch??

[BeefDoc]

I have a 94 with automatic transmission that has been having intermittent starting problems. It will work fine for a while then all of a sudden it won't start. When I attempt to start it nothing clicks or engages, so I suspected the neutral safety switch on the automatic trans. So I replaced the switch, still have the problem. The neutral switch has three prongs to it, I assume 1 for 12v in, one for 12v out and one for backup lights. I had 12v on one wire nothing on the other 2 wires. when I jumped the hot wire to one of the wires the backup lights came on. I assumed when I jumped 12v to the other wire the truck should start, but no luck. So I have 12v going through the neutral safety switch but the 12v is not going where it needs to to make the truck start. Wondering if anyone has any ideas on where I should go now. I have had it into the local dodge shop for this problem, but they cannot figure it out either. Any help/comments would be greatly appreciated. Thanks

 

[icman95]

Assuming your first switch was bad and this one is good, could the original bad one have blown an ignition fuse in the power distribution center? Check some ing/starting related fuses. If blown, replace and then try the new switch.

 

[B.G. Smith]

With great effort I am looking at the schematic of the starting circuit for a truck of your year model. ( I have a hard time reading these things) Looks like the neutral switch completes the circuit to ground to activate the starter relay. If this is correct, you may have a bad starter relay (in the PDC). Could also be the ignition switch or the solenoid on/in the starter. I would try the relay first. bg

 

[BeefDoc]

BG, Thank you for your advice, I could not get continuity to ground through the wire that must go to the starter relay. I suppose that would be the case if the relay is stuck open?? Where is the starter relay?? I appreciate your time. Thanks

 

[CSnyder]

It could also possibly be your starter contacts. I swore my ignition was bad but after replacing it nothing changed so I went down from there and found my starter contacts were wore real bad. I replaced them with Larry B's kit and all has been perfect since.

 

[Joe G.]

This symptom is almost always starter contacts.

 

[B.G. Smith]

BG, Thank you for your advice, I could not get continuity to ground through the wire that must go to the starter relay. I suppose that would be the case if the relay is stuck open?? Where is the starter relay?? I appreciate your time. Thanks

The relay is located in the Power Distribution Center under the hood on the drivers side fenderwell. I suspect Joe G. and CSnyder have hit it on the head. The contacts are located in the starter solenoid. I have not experienced that operation yet thank God. bg

 

[BeefDoc]

Thanks for the input. I considered starter contacts (I had that problem with my 01 once) but I could not hear any solenoids engaging, nothing. Today I tried a few things with the neutral safety switch, nothing worked. Finally I took my plier and shorted across the starter contacts to get the truck running. I drove it for a couple hours and shut if off, still wouldn't start with the ingition switch. I removed and replaced the starter relay (just put the old one back in) and the truck started. I assume it must have been problem with the relay contact points?? Hopefully that was the trouble. I will probably replace the relay when I get a chance to get a new one, just to be that way. Thanks for the input, if the problem occurs again or I find the definitive problem I will keep you informed. Thanks