Hey yall. I'm having starting issues with my 84 pickup. One day as I left for work the truck just died on me. Replaced the wires plugs and coil and it would turn over but not fire up. Replaced the alternator and the voltage regulator (alternator was found to be bad) and now the truck doesn't even do anything. Nothing turns on, no interior lights....dead. The battery is about a year old optima red top which checks out and all the terminals, battery cables, connections check out. Replaced the ignition module with a good working used unit and replaced the ignition relay...still nothing. I still havent replaced the dist signal wire, but that will be next. Just tired of throwing parts at it and it not starting. The truck is dead and I'm at loss here. Any other insight would be helpful. Thanks.

 

You are sure ALL main fuses are good? In the Interior and exterior panels? Because if you got nothing inside, something is blown or shorted inside. Possibly ignition switch? Im not excellent on exactly WHAT to check or where, I would have get a wiring diagram/FSM and start tracing and testing. Might I suggest you do the same? Start with a circuit, and test it thoroughly. From beginning to end. If it checks out, move to the next circuit. And etc.... It sounds tedious, and it is. But it really helps you learn your truck so that you will be better prepared for future arising issues. And it also helps you spot any possible problem areas before they leave you stranded...

A lot of searching on this forum, and a factory service manual, and I did a 3RZ swap under a tarp in my driveway... You can do it!! Good luck!!

 

Checked for spark at each plug?

 

Thanks rok. Now that I think of it o was pulling fuses from under the kick panel with the battery connected. After I checked to see that all fuses were good that's when I got absolutely no power inside....

 

your first problem was a bad alternator, thus not recharging the battery and left u stranded, once that was fixed what happened? u said u were pulling fuses to check them? that is where your problem is, it sounds like you have pulled an ignition fuse or main fuse, or possible it has blown, it is either a bad ignition fuse/wiring or a bad locking cylinder (where the key goes in) but sounds like u have pulled the ignition fuse and have left it out to me. if you dont have the fuse diagram look in the owners manual for the location of the IGN fuse and inspect/replace. hope this helps and GL on getting that thing running again

 

Do you mean ignition SWITCH? The key cylinder itself is purely mechanical, and should have no effect on the power issue. The ignition switch is on the backside of the key cylinder and could be a possible issue. But it sounds like the OP is headed in the right direction regardless.

Good job OP!

 

Truck is finally running. Replaced alternator, relay from pick and pull and a 60 amp underhood fuse...she started right up after a lil shot of Carb cleaner. Thanks guys.

 

Good job! Love success stories!

 

Thanks. Took one of the new alternators I bought for it back and had it tested. It was found to be faulty. Should have known better than to have purchased a $30 alternator all good now

 

Watched my neighbor as he swapped out his alternator without disconnecting the battery first. He grounded the hot wire connection on the alt to the block with his wrench. Small spark. I was leaning over this fuse under the hood when I heard it pop. If I wasn't there, he would be pulling his hair out finding this problem just as you did.