98 Bravada electrical issues

I have a 98 Bravada, 4.3l V6, 77k miles.

Over the past 3 years or so, the flasher unit would intermittantly click without the turn signal being used. I replaced the flasher unit under the dash, no change. Nuisance issue really.

Fast forward to about a week ago... the truck has always been a good starter and runner... Come out in the morning, turn on the ignition, dash lights up as normal, hear the fuel pump, as I turn the key and crank the engine, the dash goes dark, no start. Turn the ignition on/off a few times, it finally starts. Does not run rough or miss at all once it is started.

This morning was as above... attempt to start, dash is dark while cranking the motor, will not start. I took the wife's car to work today.

What do I have going on? No SES light, no indication of anything out of the ordinary. Does the blinker issue have anything to do with the non-starting? Is the ignition switch bad?

Thanks in advance for any help or guidance.

Bob

UPDATE: at 11am, it started up. The dash stayed lit as it was cranking and it fired up straight-away. What the hell?

I would look at the battery and terminals first and then check the cables and the starter wire connections (make sure the nuts are tight on starter - but only do when battery disconnected!). I've had both corroded terminals and lost the ign wire nut off before - 4wds are a pain to reach the starter. Free load test on the battery and the alternator too would be good to do.

Others have reported ignition switch trouble similiar to your problems too.

I would bet it is the ignition switch going bad too if the cable cleaning don't do the trick. Is the flasher unit still clicking?

Battery and starter cables are tight and clean of any corrosion.

Had the same thing happen on Saturday. I could not get it started in the morning. Came back to it around lunchtime, it fired right up and ran for the rest of the day.

I replaced the distributor cap and rotor, and I have plugs to put in today. I ran a can of throttle body cleaner into it, and dumped a fuel injector additive in the tank.

Where do you get an ignition switch? Is this a dealership item?

Battery and starter cables are tight and clean of any corrosion.

Had the same thing happen on Saturday. I could not get it started in the morning. Came back to it around lunchtime, it fired right up and ran for the rest of the day.

I replaced the distributor cap and rotor, and I have plugs to put in today. I ran a can of throttle body cleaner into it, and dumped a fuel injector additive in the tank.

Where do you get an ignition switch? Is this a dealership item?
No you can get from about any parts store.