Quote:
Originally Posted by crowdpleazer
could be the ignition switch/key is wore enough to turn on its own
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Sorry, been away for a bit. I appreciate the suggestion. I went ahead and bought an ignition switch when I went to get a new starter since it was cheap (like $21 for a lifetime). Installed it and the new starter, gave it a shot. Fired right up, ran like normal. No grinding, which is better. After a few minutes, smoke started pouring out from the drivers' side of the compartment. Shut it down, looked around. Sure enough, the solenoid on the starter was burning. Literally. Small fire on the ignition wire down there, just blew it out. Removed starter and all wires. The ignition wire had its first few inches of rubber burned off, but the wire itself is still intact. Tore apart the conduit to ensure that the power wires inside weren't damaged/exposed, and they sure aren't.
So now I've got a new warranteed starter I picked up earlier and I don't really wanna install it until I'm certain I'm not gonna blow it up. I went ahead and replaced the burned bit of wire with the nice new lead from the new starter, but other than that I don't know what to check. I got a crash-course in multi-meter reading from one of my friends at the auto store and actually tested the connections running to the starter solenoid and the wires from it. The constant power wire straight from the battery is carrying 11.70v, and when the key is turned to the "start" position, the ignition wire carries the same, and dies after it hits the "run" position.
The ground wire is properly grounded to the lower starter mounting bolt, as it has been since I've owned the truck. the ground wire runs back to the battery, where it makes a clean connection to the terminal end, along with the body ground. It also has the chassis ground in the middle running towards the battery.
I don't think there's anything else to the system. Having to deal with electrical systems really ticks me off, especially when it was working flawlessly a few months ago. About half-tempted to just get rid of it, but I probably wouldn't get a quarter of what I've put in it the past six months. I've got proof it runs though, so that's worth something? lol