1996 chevy k1500 ignition switch problems

im thinking that maybe my ignition switch is bad and needs replaced what are the symptoms and how can i know that that is the problem?

when i turn the key on sometimes the pump wont turn on and thus wont start (brand new pump couple weeks ago)

all my fuses are good

its only done this once but today it started fine ran for maybe 2 or 3 seconds and then died just like i turned the key off no sputtering or anything but started right up again and was fine

sometimes it feels like its lost power and burning alot more gas then it should and every now and then at higher rpm it will miss but only once and it very rarely does that

relay is good

ground to fuel pump is good

so are these all symptoms what are the symptoms and what is your opinion thanks for your help!!!

im thinking that maybe my ignition switch is bad and needs replaced what are the symptoms and how can i know that that is the problem?

when i turn the key on sometimes the pump wont turn on and thus wont start (brand new pump couple weeks ago)

all my fuses are good

its only done this once but today it started fine ran for maybe 2 or 3 seconds and then died just like i turned the key off no sputtering or anything but started right up again and was fine

sometimes it feels like its lost power and burning alot more gas then it should and every now and then at higher rpm it will miss but only once and it very rarely does that

relay is good

ground to fuel pump is good

so are these all symptoms what are the symptoms and what is your opinion thanks for your help!!!



this could be your ignition switch . your troubleshooting needs a voltmeter to determine whats going on. when the vehicle dies, do not touch the key check fuses for voltage.

turn key to ignition on repeatedly with voltmeter hooked up to the fuel pump wires at the fuel tank see that the voltage is getting there.

with a vehicle this old and new pump installed I would have replaced relay for fuel pump. what fuel pump manufacturer did you use.did you simply connect the new pump assy to the vehicle wiring or did you have to hack up the vehicle wiring to make this connection ?

the fuel pump just hooked up right to the stock wiring harness on the truck i dont know what brand it was though and its kind of hard for me to check with the voltmeter. it only seems to do it when im in a hurry or need to get somewhere

the fuel pump just hooked up right to the stock wiring harness on the truck i dont know what brand it was though and its kind of hard for me to check with the voltmeter. it only seems to do it when im in a hurry or need to get somewhere

where did you purchase the fuel pump ? how much did you pay for it ?

If this is an AIRTEX FUEL PUMP good chance this is the problem.. testing is still required to be sure exactly whats going on here.

i got it at carquest and i think i paid like 130 for it

i got it at carquest and i think i paid like 130 for it

I think your cost is way off for any fuel pump that carquest offers. the cheapest is an airtex fuel pump which is 240.oo ....

Delphi is 100.oo more approx...

If you got the airtex then its a good chance the pump is bad. check pressures with the pressure guage. I think these fuel pumps do have a one year warrantee... you will need your sales rec....

I might have paid 160 for it i cant remember but i know it wasnt in the 200 range

it hasnt not started for a while however sometimes it starts idles pretty high and quits like i turned the key off but it starts right back up usually and is fine

also once it started and it stumbled but caught itself and kept running

last when i start it it seems to idle really high for a second then go down to around 750RPM

im starting to wonder if its not like a fuel pressure regulator does my truck have one and how can i know if its going out?? or what else could it be

What engine??

As said, pump brands do make a difference. Delphi..AC Delco are the way to go. More$$=more peace of mind=less stress!!

Did this issue come up after the pump replacement? Why did you replace the pump? How did you check the fuses? They may "look" good but may not carry the current required.

The IGN SW could be an issue if it's not sending power to the VCM thru fuse ECM 1 in the underhood fuse block. The fuel relay is controlled by the VCM.

There are 34 troubleshooting steps to check the relay and 30 steps to check the fuel system (including the FPR). All of these steps require low$$ to high$$ diagnostic tools, charts & skills.

I might have paid 160 for it i cant remember but i know it wasnt in the 200 range

it hasnt not started for a while however sometimes it starts idles pretty high and quits like i turned the key off but it starts right back up usually and is fine

also once it started and it stumbled but caught itself and kept running

last when i start it it seems to idle really high for a second then go down to around 750RPM

im starting to wonder if its not like a fuel pressure regulator does my truck have one and how can i know if its going out?? or what else could it be


you have to post your findings on the testing data I/we requested...

no test info means we cannot help you...If you lack the tools then have someone test out what was mentioned here..or buy the needed equipment.....

ok well i dont know when that will be i dont have the equipment and i dont have the money but just a comment

today i was camping and it was warm and i got in my truck to leave and it wouldnt start i didnt hear the pump run and of course it wouldnt start it turned over fine didnt spit or sputter or nothin but anyway so i opened the hood took the relay out blew on it wiped it a little put it back in and my truck started it had to turn over a couple times but it started would this mean its the relay??

ok well i dont know when that will be i dont have the equipment and i dont have the money but just a comment

today i was camping and it was warm and i got in my truck to leave and it wouldnt start i didnt hear the pump run and of course it wouldnt start it turned over fine didnt spit or sputter or nothin but anyway so i opened the hood took the relay out blew on it wiped it a little put it back in and my truck started it had to turn over a couple times but it started would this mean its the relay??

If this is the 1996 relay to the fuel pump it would be best to replace. I would replace the relay whenever the fuel pump fails after high mileage. the motors can draw excessive current when failing burning/pitting the contacts...you could take the relay cover off and using a small file smooth out these defects, since your with no funds...

well a relay is like $20 isnt it?? but the only problemis im not sure if thats it is there a way i can test the relay easily for cheap

well a relay is like $20 isnt it?? but the only problemis im not sure if thats it is there a way i can test the relay easily for cheap


testing is possible by removal of the cover..then checking the voltage across those contacts.. also looking at the contacts for surface defects on the surface... in the old days ignition systems used points[switches] then these at times needed to be cleaned with ignition file...sometimes fine sandpaper I used... cleaning the contacts is not very technical.,...

well this is what happened my truck kept dieing on me this morning while i was driving (this had not happend before) but when it died i could start it again and keep going so when i got home from work i opened the hood with the truck running and wiggled the relay and walaa it killed the motor. so i went to carquest and got a new relay for $13 and it hasnt done anything weird since but its only been a few hours. so hopefully thats all it was thanks though for your help if it acts up again ill post

I have a 96 chevy Silverado 4x4 5.7 motor and it does the same thing but it doesn't leave in first gear, it misfires and high rpms and doesn't go in overdrive. but if I drive a little while and turn it off, it's fine it acts like a normal truck would. then if my truck is off for more that a couple of hours it goes back to it acting up.

I have a 96 chevy Silverado 4x4 5.7 motor and it does the same thing but it doesn't leave in first gear, it misfires and high rpms and doesn't go in overdrive. but if I drive a little while and turn it off, it's fine it acts like a normal truck would. then if my truck is off for more that a couple of hours it goes back to it acting up.
You'll need a proper diagnosis, which will no doubt include testing fuel pressure/volume, along with looking at the data stream on a scan tool.

In particular, I'd want to know whether the problems are in open-loop or closed-loop operation (or both); short- and long-term fuel trim, and what transmission gears are being commanded.

Is the trans fluid level correct? How long since the trans filter was changed?

How long since the spark plugs, plug wires, distributor cap and rotor, etc. were inspected/replaced?

Any chance the catalytic converter is getting plugged?

there is a fuel pump relay under the hood on the firewall.