I have a 97 Blazer 4wd w/ the 4.3L engine. Its not quite your usual bad starter, dead battery situation. What I have noticed is that when I turn the key to the on position (not all the way into the start position) I have power to my radio, windows, and trip computer, but the lights on my dash don't light up ie. ABS, Airbag, Check Engine. When this is the case if I try to start the truck it won't start. But if I turn it back to the On position and the lights do come on and I turn it over it starts right away. I checked the battery cables at the battery last night in the parking lot and they seemed solid, but didn't check them at the other end because I couldn't see much. Is this an ignition switch problem?? This gremlin is getting worse and I don't know what to do, has someone else experienced this? I don't want to pay $120 an hr to have Chevy try to figure it out.

Thanks for your help.

 

I had a similar problem with my cavalier. The negative battery terminal had come loose. I torqued it back down, gremlin was gone. I was freaking out, almost bought new battery cables and a lot of other stuff...but I checked the torque... The cable felt solid as a rock with a hand inspection, but the bolt was way loose, and wasn't making contact inside the battery

 

Also make sure that there is not an excess of corrosion. Remove the cable ends at the battery and take a stiff wire brush to both the battery and the cable end (to include threads). Sometimes you can get a hardened oxidated surface between the battery and cable causing loss of connection....

 

MDTjettaguy

I hate to be the bearer of bad news, But it is your Ignition switch. We just replaced one in my son in law's 97 Blazer two weeks ago. No dash lights when you turn the key is the DEAD give away for the bad Ig switch. It will only get worse any it won't be any fun when you make a turn in traffic and the truck shuts down instantly...
$100.00 at Advanced autoparts for the new one and at least two and one half hours to install.

 

It wasn't bad news at all. It was exactly what I needed and I avoided $xxx in diagnostic from the dealer. They are such crooks.

I fixed it this weekend and we are as good as new. Thanks