No Start, No Reverse Lights, Everything else?!?!

[Bluesky4x4]

I just got done rewiring an 84 GW with an 84 GW wiring harness (the original was extra crispy). I have lights, turn signals, a/c, pretty much everything, except reverse lights and starting. I replaced the column as well as all the wiring. No reverse lights in any gear and no start in any gear. I ran power to my test light and hit each of the three wires on the neutral safety and all three lit it up (so all three were showing ground), this was the case whether it was in Park or 1st gear. Any Ideas?

If I want to jump test it, which post to I run battery power straight too? One of the top ones or the starter side post?

Also, whats the bottom post for that the black wire goes too? The wire there isn't showing power or ground.

[Joe Guilbeau]

The black wire to the solenoid on a 1984 GW wiring harness goes to the Neutral Safety Switch and also provides a ground so that the Solenoid Relay will operate.

Without that ground, the relay in the solenoid will not operate, and the starter will not have power, and therefore will not start.

On the diagram below, locate the battery in the upper left hand portion of the diagram, follow the positiver battery terminal cable to the solenoid, see the relay contacts, this supplies power to the starter.

What operates the relay is the ignition switch "start" position, by supplying power to the Lt. Blu wire to the relay.

This relay will not operate unless it is grounded.

The black wire grounds this relay, and is grounded thru the Neutral Safety Switch when in Park, Neutral or Drive, which is routed to the solenoid via the "Black Wire"...

Refer to the below diagram for details...
http://209.238.200.129/gw/elec/84_85/84_85_FSJ_WiringDiagramPage2.jpg

[Bluesky4x4]

I hard wired a ground to the bottom of the solenoid and .... vroom. I tested the prongs on the neutral safety switch and it is either broke or out of alignment, so I need to drop the pan. Thanks for the help.

[Elliott]

Out of curiosity, do your backup lights work now?

[Bluesky4x4]

They work with the new safety switch I installed. The old one didn't work for either function and tested that way also. The pin that pops out when you hit reverse was not popping out on the bad one.

[Elliott]

Thanks, I'll keep that in mind as a possible diagnosis tool. The NS switch was my first thought also... so I guess I was glad to see that's all it was for you too.