97 Blazer Ignition Problem

[jetaylorpb]

Drove it home one night and every thing was fine, or so it seemed.

Next morning the wife tries to start it and it won't. I get home from work and try. Now here are the symptoms: my key is stuck in the ignition, the steering wheel will not lock when turned and the shift lever is stuck in park no matter how turn the key. The battery is also completely dead.

I'm thinking the ignition on the steering column needs to be replaced? Is that easily done?

[BlazerLT]

Depends on how handy you are and if you have the proper repir manuals to do the job.

1997's do have the ignition switch failure. The ignition switch is a black module in the column, not the key tumbler itself.

[jetaylorpb]

The ignition switch was replaced about 6 months ago. When that went I was just not able to start it, nothing like what is happening now.

Could the ignition switch failing have multiple symptoms and this being one of them? I would think an ignition switch just bought 6 months ago would not have the same defects that causes the originals to fail so much.

What is the exact mechanism that allows you to shift out of park? Is it mechanical in the ignition tumbler or an electrical process? I wonder if I got some juice into the battery if that would allow me to get it out of park so I could tow it myself to the garage so I wouldn't have to pay someone to tow it, where I live it would cost about $75 just for the tow.

[Officer Redneck]

If the battery goes dead, it will do all the things you explained. Jump it or better yet charge it over night and every thing should work again. My '97 did the same thing about a month ago.

[BlazerLT]

But we need ot find the cause of this plus why he can't get his key out.

[jetaylorpb]

The belt was squeeking some so maybe it's not turning the alternator enough to charge the battery. I was going to have them replace it when I got it inspected but wouldn't you know my wife was attempting to get it registered when she couldn't start it so it never got there.

Is the belt difficult to change? On my 86 S-10 its a peice of cake but the Blazer looks rather intricate and there isn't much room to work with. Keep in mind by the time I get home from work at night it is pitch black and 40 degrees, I don't have a garage and will be using a flashlight for lighting.

Still kind of odd that the key is stuck in the ignition. If I can get the thing to run I'll just leave it there.

[Gabe25]

Replacing the belt is really not hard to do. All you need is a 16mm socket and breaker bar. Pull back on the Belt tensioner remove old belt and install new one. Your belt routing diagram is on your fan shroud. Take about 5 minuets. Good Luck.

[DINO55]

Originally Posted by Gabe25

Replacing the belt is really not hard to do. All you need is a 16mm socket and breaker bar. Pull back on the Belt tensioner remove old belt and install new one. Your belt routing diagram is on your fan shroud. Take about 5 minuets. Good Luck.

Gabe25, What do you use the 16mm socket for when changing the belt?

[mike2004tct]

Originally Posted by jetaylorpb

Still kind of odd that the key is stuck in the ignition. If I can get the thing to run I'll just leave it there.

In order to get the key out, you need a good battery. There's a small 2 wire connector (part of the Ignition switch harness) attached to the key cylinder that allows the switch to turn back to the lock position that requires power (12v).

Replacing the belt is easy, just put a socket & ratchet on the tensioner, turn 1/4 turn to loosen the belt, slide it off, and install the new belt.
As stated above, about a five minute job and it's really quite easy.

[BlazerLT]

Originally Posted by jetaylorpb

The belt was squeeking some so maybe it's not turning the alternator enough to charge the battery. I was going to have them replace it when I got it inspected but wouldn't you know my wife was attempting to get it registered when she couldn't start it so it never got there.

Is the belt difficult to change? On my 86 S-10 its a peice of cake but the Blazer looks rather intricate and there isn't much room to work with. Keep in mind by the time I get home from work at night it is pitch black and 40 degrees, I don't have a garage and will be using a flashlight for lighting.

Still kind of odd that the key is stuck in the ignition. If I can get the thing to run I'll just leave it there.

I think the ke in the ignition is the cause of the drain.

Might be allowing some connections to stay live.

[jetaylorpb]

The key was not stuck in the ignition when it first failed to start. My wife had tried that morning, the blazer wouldn't start but her key did not get stuck. When I got home that evening I tried and my key did get stuck.

I am going to try and take a half day from work to replace the belt and try and jump start it while the temp is still in the 50's and I have some daylight. I'll let you all know how it went tomorrow a.m..

Thanks for all the help so far.

[the87hyper]

Originally Posted by DINO55

Gabe25, What do you use the 16mm socket for when changing the belt?

Got me wondering too. I've always used a ratchet to loosen the tensioner. I've owned a 96, 97 and currently a 99. The ratchet just goes in the square box on the tensioner.

[Gabe25]

Originally Posted by DINO55

Gabe25, What do you use the 16mm socket for when changing the belt?

On my "94" the bolt on the tensioner pully is 16mm. I just slip it on and pull. Belt off, Belt on. So simple.

[blazee]

Am I the only one that doesn't use any tools to change a belt?

[BlazerLT]

I might have missed it, but has the battery been tested?