[TempestFugit]

I have a (2003) S-10 in daily use for many years, dependable as hell no problems. Yesterday I drove it up to my (secluded) cabin and shut it off. Later I tried to start it up and nothing...

Battery is fine! (charged it just to be sure - nothing)

Turn the key all the pre-start lights bells and whistles work fine, radio lights etc.

I reset all the fuses (ignition, starter etc.) in the fuse box.

Seems like ignition switch not making contact... ???... but that dosent seem likely since I never had an issue, it feels ok and it probably would not just go out while driving without any prior symptoms or indications of trouble.

Seems like a dead starter... ???... but would it conk out completely with no death rattle, heat, sparks, weakness or complaints after a normal trip and shutdown?

Seems like a stuck solenoid... ???... does that stuff still happen? I can't even see the starter/solenoid or figure out where to hit it with the hammer...

Probably not a loose connection to the starter because it would have probably sent out some indications like heat, intermittent etc., right?

These days everything seems to be some kind of MODULE Could there be anything like that hiding in the ingition circuit that is a likely culprit? I have no experience with that module stuff.


Problem is that the truck is back in the woods and no garages around there,

Is there anything I can try to locate, replace, tighten, jiggle, etc. that might get it going again???

[sleepy]

Auto or stick?
There isn't JUST a fuse. there's also a starter relay, that could have died or lost conection or one of the conections in the wires corroded.
Fuseable link.
safety switch.
This could be many things.

[John V.]

Going by memory from my '97 Safari, but seems there are 1 or 2 Ignition relays in the Fuse Center under the hood.

My sense is that these rarely go bad. But you might check it, even swap it for another (at risk of causing failure of another).

I'd lean more to the starter and solenoid.

Found this for you, might help.

http://www.ehow.com/how_7551721_s10-wont-turn-over.html

I'd been told of ignition switch problems on mine, but when I sold it 2 years ago, still had the original switch and 195K miles on it. Starting issues always proved to be something else.

When my starter died, it had been getting tired, cranking slow. I suspected weak battery. Eventually proved to be a weak starter. But mine never quit cranking. Just cranked slow. Got a rebuilt from a local rebuilder who does very good work. It spun the motor with ease.

With a no crank, isn't that more likely the solenoid not engaging? Maybe you'll get lucky with the hammer trick.

Hope it works out.

[Overkillphil]

Cut to the chase and put a meter on the starter, hit the key and see if you are getting voltage to it. If so, change the starter and you've just eliminated a bunch of in between guess work.

[David Holmberg]

And on a more simple note, check the clutch pedal or neutral safety switch, to make sure the wire didn't fall off. Then do as Phil said and check the starter. (and that it's in park)

In a pinch (since you're out in the woods) if you don't have a test light or meter, tap on the starter solenoid in case it was stuck.

[Garage Goat]

Originally Posted by David Holmberg

And on a more simple note, check the clutch pedal or neutral safety switch, to make sure the wire didn't fall off. Then do as Phil said and check the starter. (and that it's in park)

In a pinch (since you're out in the woods) if you don't have a test light or meter, tap on the starter solenoid in case it was stuck.

Something along the same line, turn your headlights on and see if they dim when you turn the key. If they dim it's a good indicater the starter is dead.

Yet do you even get a click or a grunt from it?

[Cammer-6]

I have 2 03s and 2 01s
LMK if you need any wiring diagrams

also have some brand new service manuals but I think they are for 01s

[TempestFugit]

Just got back from the cabin. Thanks for the replys and that link, here are answers to questions raised.

It's a stickshift and not a click or grunt from it.

When I turn the Key it goes thru a check gauges sequence, all indicators light up then a few seconds about half of them go out (normal response). also the fuel pump pumps up pressure.
When I turn the key to start the radio clock display cuts out (normal) also the odometer, battery indicator, and lo-fuel light cut out (also normal response). But there is no click or sound of any kind

I poked around the clutch pedal and didn't feel any wires out of place on what I think is the safety switch. I couldn't see it, but it felt like what I think is the switch was able to slid back and forth on the clutch rod - will have to investigate it more.

To get at the starter/solenoid I'm going to need to bring a better jack and some ramps or stands to make room to crawl under. I'll put a meter on the starter tomorrow or saturday.

I really hate the fact that on this (stick-shift) vehicle, they have the computer / ignition sequence set up so that you can not roll & jump start the truck. If you roll the truck and pop the clutch, the display flashes a security message and all the warning lights go on and the truck can not be started till you turn off the key and turn it back on. I even tried hitting the key to 'start' while roll/jumping but the computer objects to that too.

[Lightfoot]

You should try fixing the clutch safety switch so that it is always engaged. I bet the truck would roll start then. Just have to remember to treat it like an old school vehicle; either clutch or neutral before turning key to start.

I predict something is wrong with your safety switch; not transfering continuity.

[Stuckinda60s]

Do you have the Pass-Key feature? If that goes bad, the engine won't turn over, it just does nothing when you turn the key to start.

[TempestFugit]

Solved!

I really thought it was going to be the clutch sw too so I jumpered that first... nope!

(Got three inches of rain last night at the cabin and naturally the truck was sittin in a low spot so I had a mess of a time getting it up and on jackstands and getting under it)

There is a woven copper ground strap between the solenoid and the starter, it had corroded away. The starter is low under the drivers side and it's a place where salt and mud can get up in there. I put a big alligator clip on it and it started right up so I drove it home... now my Tempest is in the woods gotta get back and get that before someone steals it.

After I get it fixed I'm going to jumper that clutch safety and see if it will roll/start.

I dont think I have a pass key thing just a regular old key thankfully

[mechanickeith]

Murpheys Automotive law!!! The simplest of things in the hardest place to get to!!!

[TempestFugit]

Aint that the truth! Looks like it's going to be a real PITA to pull out & repair.

Ya know, the Tempest and the S-10 are both 4cyl stick shifts. I could sit under the hood of the Temepst and bring my laptop and a cool beverage in there with me and still have room for my George Foreman Grill and a pillow. On the S-10 I can't even see the starter/solenoid much less get a wrench in there, and might have to take off the exhaust to get at the bolts.

And the Tempest gets better gas mileage!