Will not turn over. Not the Battery or Starter

[Chance_123]

This is a 93 model. It is similar to a dead battery, but it's not. The van will not turn over and after trying to start it the instrument panel stays on for like 2 minutes. I can turn the headlights on bright and they are strong still. Starter has been tested and was good to go. I have no Idea what it might be. I'm trying to repair this for my brother. I'm going over to his house today so if anything changes I'll post it. Please, any and all help is appreciated. Thanks

Justin

[jackass#1]

sounds like the starter soliniod. it tells the starter when to rotate. to locate it trace the positive cable from battery and it will go right to it. it is a common problem.
and not expensive.

[Chance_123]

Ok this is what we found out this afternoon.
We bought a brand New starter; it still did not turn over. The starter also had a new solenoid.
Here's where it gets fun... When you go to crank it over the dash lights come on like normal. However, once you try to turn it over/ start the engine ( of course nothing happens ) and turn off the key the dash lights ( the electronic speedometer, cruise light and other dash gauges ) will not go off. Only other accessories that stay on is the power windows, and locks even after taking the key out of the ignition and opening the door. The only way to turn them off tonight was to unhook the battery. Blows my mind.
Has anyone had a similar problem? We a still stuck and in need of some help. Thanks to all that can help.

[jackass#1]

ignition switch. thats what it is. all the elect. devices(gauges,lights,and starting) go thou the ignition swith. its located on steering column. the only things it doesnt opperate is headlights and power lock and such. so i bet they work as normal.

[Chance_123]

How much does the ignition switch usually run? Is it expensive? What’s the difficulty of replacing it?

[Chance_123]

Another Question? Is there a difference in the Ignition Module and the Ignition Lock cylinder and the ignition switch? If so what does what?

[jackass#1]

ignition mod. works with coil and distributor in regulating volts to the plugs upon starts. ignition switch works with the key, when you wont only your accessories on you turn your key to accessories and the key moves a rod that is connected from key(ignition lock cylinder) to the switch, and the switch sends power to only the accessories. when you wont to start you turn the key to start and the rod moves the switch to start mode and the power is delivered to the starter (to turn the engine) and the ignition module(to send power to the plugs for ignition). the ignition lock cylinder is what you stick your key in.
if your starter and solinoid is good and the starter still wont ingage, it would have to be in the ignition switch. if you havent, you could check your fuses and make sure their all good. the switch is on the steering colmn just above the brake pedal. its easy to replace. if you can find it you could make sure the mounting bolt to it are tight and the switch is firm and not moving around(that would cause the problem too).
it doesnt cost much. i havent had to buy one for the van, but on my s10 it was $15.
i hope that helps and good luck.

[Chance_123]

Is this the part I'm looking for?

Part Number 1

or is this what I'm looking for?

Part Number 2

Hey Jackass#1, your a big help so for and thanks for all the posts on this posting. Hopefully we get this van fixed for my brother soon.

[jackass#1]

part 2, its the switch
i hope you get her going too.

[Chance_123]

We went and got a new ignition switch. Not the problem that we have. still the same old thing. Turn the Key and nothing. take the key out and the dash lights still stay on will not turn off until the battery is unhooked. Anything else this problem could be?

[Chance_123]

We've got her started but not fixed. We think we know what it is. We ran a ground from the - battery post to the case of the starter ( while the starter was bolted up and all the wires still hooked up) and jumped the 2 post on the starter to turn the starter over. So no matter what we've been told at the store the starter has got to be bad. i'll let you all know when we rebuild it....

[Chance_123]

I got my brothers running late last night... It was the the ignition switch and the starter. Weird because they went out at the same time.... take care

[Chance_123]

NOT FIXED!!

Yesterday my Sister-in-Law got stuck in wal-mart parking lot. Van would not turn over. I went up there and it was doing the same thing as it was doing before. Turn the key on and try to start it, NOTHING! The dash lights would stay on like before after turning the key off.
We've replaced the starter - $160.00 and the Ignition Switch $18.00 so far. Total waste of money. So we are back to the drawing broad.

Some new Information I found out during this is if you take a wire and hook it to the Negative post and ground it to the casing of the starter and someone turns over the key in the Van it will start. It's strange that the starter is not grounded, because the motor should be grounded to the frame. ANY IDEAS?

[craigya]

Where is the 'inhibitor switch' and the 'fuse Z' that feeds the inhibitor switch located. I didn't see the fuse Z description in the fuse box description, and I cannot seem to find the light green w/blk wire to test for the proper states.

Thanks