1997 Blazer wiring troubls

I have a 1997 Blazer that I got from a seller. It needed a wiring harness under the dash. The one it had had melted. He claimed he forgot to attach the ground under the hood. Does that make sense? He said he drove it about 75 miles. Then it would not start. The harness had melted. Well I guess he tried some things. He had cut the wires near the ignition switch on the column. I do not know why. I have another harness already installed. Now I think I will just install another column to make it simple. Or can I replace that wiring harness near the key switch. If I can what is it called? Or what columns will replace the original. I finally got the key out and it does not have a chip on it. A junk yard told me that it used the smart key. Well apparently mine does not. Sorry for the long post. Just tried to cover the details of my problems. Please reply soon with your thoughts.

a short like that maybe more trouble then its worth, may have fried the computer or some other circut boards, all kinds of stuff could have happened

'97s are known to have problems with the ignition switch module.
This is a wire harness that runs from the key tumbler area to the fire wall.
Look in the Blazer "How To" section for a thread on Ignition switch module replacement. Very detailed on how to replace it. The assembly is ~$100.00 at most parts stores.

As for the key being stuck, it's most likely a solenoid failure. The solenoid is under the lower steering column cover, directly under the steering wheel. You can replace it, or remove it completely. The problem with not having the solenoid in there is you can turn the ignition and remove the key without the truck being in Park.

'97s did not have a chip on the key.

Here's a link to the switch harness replacement.


http://www.automotiveforums.com/vbulletin/showthread.php?t=287636