I have a 1991 4x4 with a 3.0 L v6. Recently I have an intermittent issue with starting. Sometimes when i turn the key to start, I get nothing. No dash lights, no attempt to start, no radio, it is as if I never turned the key. The buzzer that tells me the key is inserted still works when the door is open and dome and headlights work fine. I can try again and again with nothing, then five minutes later it will start fine and start great for the next couple of days. Any suggestions?

 

Oh, come on. This isn't rocket surgery, you've got a bad ignition switch.

But before you run off and buy a new one, test it. All answers are found in the Good Book. http://personal.utulsa.edu/~nathan-b.../3ignition.pdf

 

Is it all the keyed circuits as well that fail to work.

Does the radio power up the wipers Blower Motor ??

Is it just the starter not working?

 

Nothing works except the headlights. Dome light. And the buzzer that lets me know that the key is in the ignition while the door is open.

 

I replaced the ignition switch first.

 

Was the original switch bad (as in: tested)? Is the replacement switch new or junk?

There is no single fuse or relay whose failure will make "nothing work." You need to use a multimeter to find out if you have power to the switch, and if the switch is distributing power correctly. That will tell you which way to go; everything else (my advice included) is just guessing.

Don't have a multimeter? No excuse for that: http://www.harborfreight.com/7-funct...ter-98025.html

 

+++1 to Scope103.
Do not blindly throw parts (especially untested ones), money and time at the problem.
DO own a multi-meter. Next to our senses (common sense included) that is the most important tool for diagnosing electrical problems.
Do look at the schematic.

You're sure you have no dash lights? Yet your headlight works? Wanna double-check?
And "headlights, dome light and the buzzer" always work?

"no attempt to start, no radio", IF Combined with no wiper, no turn signals (but hazards should still work), would suggests ignition switch , like Scope mentioned above ^^^

 

Hey. Positive the headlights work and the dome and dash lights do not. But not a problem any more. I figured it out. There was a broken bolt in the fuse box under the hood. (still not sure how that happened.) it was on the fuse for the alternator. the wire was not making good contact at times and shorting out with other wires at times. it had even melted some of the plastic. I moved the fuse to another spot and replaced the broken bolt. All fixed. Thank you all for your help.

 

Cool. good to know and thanks for sharing your experience.

 

Well at least you have a extra electrical part of the ignition switch.