1998 Chevy Cheyenne Ignition switch

1998 CHEVROLET CHEYENNE
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Electrical problem
1998 Chevy Cheyenne V8 Four Wheel Drive Automatic

Here's the situation I turn the key to the start position and all I hear is a click from a relay from inside the cab there is another relay switch under the hood my a/c also has this same relay switch so I switched the two out and still nothing all fuses are good and I also have a car starter which starts the car just fine so I know it's not the starter or anything involved after these switches (relays) even when I start the car with the starter and then turn the key to the start position I get no grinding or anything. Now my thought could the relay that is inside the cab be bad even if I hear it clicking when I turn it over or is it doing what it supposed to do if it's clicking I just don't know if it is sending power further down the line. I really don't want to pull the ignition switch out if I don't have too. Thanks in advance for any help you can give me on this. Dave P.S. I have used a similar site before I'm not sure if it was this one but if I get the fix I need my donate price will double so let's start from there.
Mar 21, 2009 at 5:47 PM
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RACEFAN966
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Ok first off do you have a digital multi meter? If so then I will look up the wiring diagram and walk you through the checks to see where the power is stopping. Just to be clear if I understand you right the car has a remote start and works fine on that but when you go to start it with the key the start won't work? Get back to me and we will go from there.
Mar 21, 2009 at 7:58 PM
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yes the car starts with the starter not the key I do have a digital multi tester and I have the rest of the day to play with this problem Thanks Dave
Mar 22, 2009 at 1:54 PM
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RACEFAN966
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Ok with that said I would like you to check to see if there is voltage at the S wire on the starter this is the wire that comes from the ignition switch not the one from the battery. So hook up a test light and turn to the start possition and see if there is power there. Get back to me and we will check the switch from there.
Mar 23, 2009 at 2:47 PM
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why do I need to start at the starter when I know my problem is not there the starter works.and it works though the button of the remote starter. So why can't we start on the other end of this problem. Fyi I went to pick my son from tennis practice and had to wait for awhile when he finally came to the truck I turned the key and it started nornally I would have to use the remote but this time it worked like it should, Then when I got home the Key wouldn't work. can you help me with this problem or not. The S wire you talk about is hidden covered by protective plastic. and I am not sure which wire to choose.
Mar 27, 2009 at 6:31 PM
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RACEFAN966
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Ok I need you to check that purple wire on the starter that comes from the starter relay. I need to know if there is power there or not or we are just guessing as the problem and I will not do that. I fix problems I do not replace parts. SO please check the purple wire when it will not start so we can see if power is coming from the relay to the start if not then the relay will be what we will check next to make sure it is getting power and if it is then that is what is causing you problem ok. Let me know what you find.
Mar 28, 2009 at 9:47 AM
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I wasn't trying to be difficult. If I don't uderstand the answer I ask questions I always follow the doctors orders beceause they usually know best. I will be checking that wire in the morning and will get back to you thanks for your time and patience Dave
Mar 28, 2009 at 7:04 PM
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RACEFAN966
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I know that and most people ask lots of questions on things that are not in there norm so all it good. Let me know what you find so we can see if the ignition switch or starter relay is where we need to go next. I would like to test the starter relay next if this tells us what I think it might. Darn snowing here again getting very old now.
Mar 29, 2009 at 9:30 AM
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sorry guy's it took so long to get back to you too much to explain so I will just tell you I'm back and I did test the purple wire for power with the key in the start position and just with it in the run position both ways give same rusult no power in that wire so Doc where do go from here. Thanks Dave
Apr 5, 2009 at 4:55 PM
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RACEFAN966
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OK now you need to use a test light or multi meter and check for power at the starter relay. Now the starter relay is in the under hood relay fuse box. There is a red wire that feeds it and two purple wires coming out of it. Also in that box check the 40 amp fuse number 6 and make sure it is good. Let me know what you find.
Apr 6, 2009 at 9:20 PM
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checked red wire going to relay fuse box it has constant power big purple wire and small purple wire with white line both dead with key in start and on position fuses are good starter relay switch when I pulled it has power to one leg but I'm not sure how to check the actual switch or where it plugs in should I plug the switch in about halfway so that the legs are exposed to put my meter probes on them or is there another way or do you want to do something different I will wait for further instructions from you thanks Dave
Apr 10, 2009 at 5:41 PM
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still waiting for further instructions from you. thanks Dave
Apr 24, 2009 at 10:10 AM