truck not always starting

I own a 2001 s-10 2.2L with a manual transmission that has 45,000 miles. For the last 2 weeks my truck has been acting up when I push in the clutch to start it all the lights come on but it just acts as if I am trying to start it without pushing the clutch down all the way. Sometimes I will have to turn the key four times to get it to go and when it does it starts right up. Any help would be most appreciated. I am hoping it is something I can fix my self rather then paying a mechanic.

do your dash lights come on every time you turn the key?. I had a problem with my 96' when I Had dash lights it would start/ without dash lights It would turn over with the clutch pedal pushed down but not start. I found a short in a wire leading from the alternator to the positive terminal on the battery. a red wire to a black plastic crimp connector to a green wire into the +terminal. I noticed that the red wire is of bigger gauge than the green one, so I bought an aftermarket terminal and cut the red wire behind the plastic connector hooked everything back up and no more bangin my head against the wall trying to start my truck.

do your dash lights come on every time you turn the key?. I had a problem with my 96' when I Had dash lights it would start/ without dash lights It would turn over with the clutch pedal pushed down but not start. I found a short in a wire leading from the alternator to the positive terminal on the battery. a red wire to a black plastic crimp connector to a green wire into the +terminal. I noticed that the red wire is of bigger gauge than the green one, so I bought an aftermarket terminal and cut the red wire behind the plastic connector hooked everything back up and no more bangin myhead against the wall trying to start my truck.


Yes, my dash lights come on, but I think it is a problem with the saftey feature that keeps the truck from starting without the clutch pushed all the way down. I just don't know how to go about finding where to go next. Any more help would be greatly appreciated.

Should be a switch for the cluth safety feature.

that is where I would look first.

Try pumping the clutch instead of turning the key four times.

See if the switch is causing the problem.

A way of testing your neutral safety switch is locate it, by removing your lower dash panel near the clutch pedal there should be 3 or 4 -7mm hex screws and 1 nut behind the accelator pedal. now with this panel removed it will be easier to access the switch. follow the clutch pedal bar up you should see a bracket plate directly behind the clutch bar this is where the neutral switch is. It is held into position by a single nut. With the gear shift in neutral and parking brake set. Manually push the plunger all the way in, and turn the ignition switch. If it starts when you do this. look for damage to the threads on the switch also look at the location of the clutch bar and bracket plate. press the clutch pedal down to see if if it's pushing the plunger back. if it's a bad safety switch you can buy one at advanced auto parts or parts america for $10.00.If it's not the safety switch than it could be a vats. or locktronics device on your truck. I don't have much knowledge in that area. hope this helps.

Excellent post.

Thanks everyone for all your help as soon as I get the time in the next day or two I am going to see if I can find the problem. I think I am going to start with that switch near the clutch pedal.

Sweet 'Clean'N Dark' Ride! BlazerLT ,hope that s10truck locates the problem.

Sweet 'Clean'N Dark' Ride! BlazerLT ,hope that s10truck locates the problem.

Thank you! :D