When I purchased my truck I told my people I wanted to buy something ‘done’. I had an ’68 Mustang in high school that was far from perfect; this time I wanted to get something that I could just drive and enjoy. Well I’ve ended up with a project again…
Last night I had trouble getting the truck started. Putting the key in the ‘on’ position didn’t power anything on even though the starting position did. I spent the night at my friends house where my truck was parked at and investigated the problem today. Rotating the key moves a long metal bar back and forth. That bar actuates a multi-position linear switch at the base of the steering column. I thought it had gone out of adjustment, but it seems really fidgety; it worked better when I LOOSENED the mounting bolts. I’ll have to look into it further the switch may still be at fault. I did manage to get it to start…
It was then that I noticed the voltage was really low. I popped the hood and discovered that the engine was missing all of its accessory drive belts. The A/C and alternator belts were lying in the street intact, but the power steering belt could not be found. I assume the P/S belt broke, got caught under the other two belts, and forced them off. It must have happened right as I parked because I didn’t notice any steering problems last night. John helped me get the alternator belt back on and I man-handled the truck back to my house.
I’ve decided not to sell my Subaru because of this. The truck will be much less stressful if I’m not relying on it. So, tomorrow I’m headed back to the DMV to get the car reregistered and then it’s to the parts store to guess at what length belt I need (and probably buy an ignition switch too).
Well, Shit…aren’t vehicles fun! Go idea to keep the surburu, when you get pissed off at it you can just walk away for a little while. Don’t feel bad I have brand new wheels and tires and i can’t get the Falcon to start with out jumping it! I hate elecricity!!
Sounds like the truck got you to a convienient spot before it broke. I’d say the trucks gremlins are working with you, it must be a good one!
my dad had the same type of problems with electrical when he bought his 1950 Dodge B-2. Seems like previous owners of sweet trucks don’t know anything about re-wiring vehicles. I remember spending many frustrating nights trying to track down bugs in the system before we gave up, salvaged a new wiring block and rebuilt the entire electrical system! Now when you turn on the brights (with the original floor-button switch) the truck doesn’t die.
Is the engine in that truck stock or is it something more versatile like a 350?
it’s a 350 with some mild upgrades like a roller cam
mmmmm…..roller cam
[...] I had to get the truck back together before I could leave Vegas though. I hadn’t fixed it from when it became a “project” yet. I bought a new ignition switch (here’s the old). That fixed the starting issue. I guessed at the belt length for the power steering pump. It seems to have worked after my surgical adjustment with a broom handle. I reoiled the K&N filter for good measure. I took it for a shake down run Thursday night (and for a squishee). Everything seemed in working order and I headed for Santa Monica Friday morning. It was a nice trip. About 95degF the entire time with the windows down. Some new electrical weirdness happened. I had checked the turn signals the day before, but as I drove I noticed the dash indicators would both flash if I turned right. After I stopped I checked them again. If I turn right, both front signals flash and the right rear. If I turn left, both rear signals flash and the front left. Ugh. I’m pretty sure the switching brains are in the column… not looking forward to tearing that apart… or figuring out what vehicle it came from. [...]