[roger1]

So the 86 isn't constant ground. At this point I believe that the ECM provides the ground when it determines the fuel pump should be running.
So the question to me is how the wire to 85 is wired to provide the +12V.
Is it just wired to the ignition circuit? Where is the fuse for that circuit? Does some other system come into play before that circuit can get activated? I could only answer those questions by looking at the schematic for the vehicle.

[jww]

You’re right….. I read last nite that 86 is not a constant ground like I thought. Yes, I believe 85 is the problem and I’ll research to see what it takes to get 85 to play ball.

Other stuff comes into play as you said: ign switch, crank sensor, starter relay etc.

[jww]

Update…….
Spent most of today trying to figger out what it takes to bring 85 into play. Decided to install tank, button things up jump pin 87 to 30 and get this thing outta here! Started right up and ran fine.
Removed jumper wire and replaced original relay expecting nothing and it primed, started and ran like new!!! Could not believe it was running!!!

My whole “brain dead” concept was that since the relay was not making an audible “click” then it was not powering or making contact and pin 30 had to be dead!!!! Well learn something new every day. Can’t believe I spent 3 or 4 days looking for a problem that didn’t exist.
On the plus side it did make me find 2 broken ground straps. The body ground strap and engine to frame ground strap. Plus fixed a bad ground wire from fuel pump to frame. Lessons learned, I guess

Thanks, Roger

[72projectbird]

Originally Posted by jww

Update…….
Spent most of today trying to figger out what it takes to bring 85 into play. Decided to install tank, button things up jump pin 87 to 30 and get this thing outta here! Started right up and ran fine.
Removed jumper wire and replaced original relay expecting nothing and it primed, started and ran like new!!! Could not believe it was running!!!

My whole “brain dead” concept was that since the relay was not making an audible “click” then it was not powering or making contact and pin 30 had to be dead!!!! Well learn something new every day. Can’t believe I spent 3 or 4 days looking for a problem that didn’t exist.
On the plus side it did make me find 2 broken ground straps. The body ground strap and engine to frame ground strap. Plus fixed a bad ground wire from fuel pump to frame. Lessons learned, I guess

Thanks, Roger

That body style truck can be finicky with grounds. My 98 had those same ground straps broken, resulting in a bunch of random electrical issues. I ran new heavy duty straps, and made a second ground from the battery to engine, and it's perfect.

Glad you got it figured out!