Ignition Switch replacement write-up - Turns out you were right. Pulled the starter and found the terminals to be a bit corroded. Scraped and sanded the posts and terminals, reinstalled ...

DivotMaker wrote:That's a weird one, for sure. Sounds like you're on the right track, though. Sounds like a starter problem, but I could be wrong. Hopefully, you'll hear from some others for guidance. Best of luck!

Turns out you were right. Pulled the starter and found the terminals to be a bit corroded. Scraped and sanded the posts and terminals, reinstalled and it started right up. Put the old ignition harness back in and it was still good as well. Have never had a starter that would work either 100% or zero at random times, so I had misdiagnosed it as an ignition switch problem. From what I have read in other posts it seems that this is not uncommon in some Silverados. Thanks again for your help and hopefully this might help others with similar symptoms in the future!

Thank you for this post. I really appreciated the step by step attention to detail and illustrated photos along the way.

Yes!This is a great write up, that I will definitely be using tomorrow. My buddy has a 2000 Z-71 that has been having problems. First it would have to crank over a lot before it would start. I diagnosed that as a bad fuel pressure regulator because after checking his pressure, it was all over the place. Running, it would jump from 35psi to almost 70psi, where my truck runs a steady 50-55 psi. I also changed his fuel filter because I noticed it looked older than the truck while I was under the truck looking around. That was a cheap, easy fix and it worked for him for about a day. Then it started dying on him while he was driving and then refusing to start back up. In a panic, he towed it to a mechanic and paid $800 to have his fuel pump replaced, which was my next thing on the list to check. He didn't even make it 12 hours before it started up again. The same mechanice is diagnosing the ignition switch, which is also the next thing on my list that I suggested as possible causes. SO, after the mechanic diagnoses it for sure (for free this time,) I am going to either change the alternator (other suggested cause by said mechanic) or the ignition switch. This write up will help tremendously.

I have one question, what brand ignition switch have some of you replaced OEM with? About how much did it run you from the parts store?

Thanks!

Thanks for the instructions! I would add that the tilt lever handle pulls straight out of the body of the lever (I used a little pry bar, prying it toward the door). I messed with my ignition switch gears, so I installed it wrong the first time, the key wouldn't spring back when I turned it. If you take the lock cylinder out, you will insert it in the run position which is the gears on the ignition switch all the way counter clockwise, so you feel the spring back (in the ignition switch) when you go to the start position. Another gottya was the little white connector that goes down into the lock. You need a thin screw driver to pry the little lever in, then rotate 90 degrees and it pops out. I had some trouble with the top column cover, you have to pry it back under the plexglass dash gauge cover. Thanks so much... one other thing, there is no relearning, the passlock is on the cylinder housing...

Sorry to dig up an old thread but does anybody have the part number for this? All I can find is the entire lock cylinder.

Hello, on the same note gigging up an old thread but you popped up , I've got an issue on a similar matter , on my 2000 CK3500 Dually w/a 4L80E 4 speed auto the problem is that it wouldn't go into any gear except when the ignition is in the prestart position and then it would start then i could select the gear that I want, but now the ignition key stopped starting all together . what are your thoughts ? The ignition switch?

Ok guy's.. I just got this truck bad tranny.. had it rebuilt an put back in.. now I have no speedometer.. was working before.. all gags work but the speed.. I've changed all vvs an check all fuse an all ground.. an help please

Will this work if the cylindar lock is stuck int the on posistion? I had to disconnect my battery and pull ignition fuse to turn it off. Tried a pipe wrench to turn the key back but it wont budge.

Just wanted to say thank you, I had this same problem, and no one I spoke with had ever even heard of it, much less any idea on how to fix it. I had already replaced the ignition switch which of course didn't fix anything, but kept search online until I found your original blog about it, then all I had to do was find the how to, would have been great if you put a link in there to here, but I registered and found it!

Thanks!
Chase

Hi I just wanted to say how much I appreciated the article on replacing the ignition switch on 2000 chevy silverado, I just replaced mine in my 2000 Silverado and it was a breeze after reading the article, so thank you very much.