# Van wont start after head gasket rebuild **URL:** \ **Category:** Maintenance/Repairs\ **Tags:** chevrolet, venture\ **Created:** [August 15, 2016, 3:16pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/van-wont-start-after-head-gasket-rebuild/94636 "2016-08-15T15:16:29Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 9\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![jcopeland29710](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/97f17d/32.png) [@jcopeland29710](https://community.cartalk.com/u/jcopeland29710)\ **Post date:** [August 15, 2016, 3:16pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/van-wont-start-after-head-gasket-rebuild/94636/1 "2016-08-15T15:16:29Z")
I just finished replacing the head gaskets and all gaskets above it on my Chevy Venture. When I went to start the vehicle the first time nothing happens. The dashlights come on, but when I turn the key to start nothing happens. No clicking, no nothing. I have tested the battery…OK. I have tested the starter…OK. I have traced the wiring harness to ensure all wires are plugged in. I have checked all the fuses. I thought maybe its the gear switch so I changed down to 1st and then back up to Park…Nothing. I jiggled while in park…Nothing. Could it be the actual ignition switch? It was fine before this escapade. Please help. ---
**Author:** ![Rod-Knox](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/a183cd/32.png) [@Rod-Knox](https://community.cartalk.com/u/Rod-Knox)\ **Post date:** [August 15, 2016, 3:34pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/van-wont-start-after-head-gasket-rebuild/94636/2 "2016-08-15T15:34:39Z")
Check for blown fuses and fusible links. Use a test light to confirm that current is getting to the ignition switch and then test to see if the switch is sending current to the starter. ---
**Author:** ![Mustangman](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/cartalk/user_avatar/community.cartalk.com/mustangman/32/44130_2.png) [@Mustangman](https://community.cartalk.com/u/Mustangman)\ **Post date:** [August 15, 2016, 3:43pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/van-wont-start-after-head-gasket-rebuild/94636/3 "2016-08-15T15:43:08Z")
Did you get all the battery and ground cables - the big ones - back bolted down tight? I like the fusible link thoughts, too ---
**Author:** ![jcopeland29710](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/97f17d/32.png) [@jcopeland29710](https://community.cartalk.com/u/jcopeland29710)\ **Post date:** [August 15, 2016, 6:21pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/van-wont-start-after-head-gasket-rebuild/94636/4 "2016-08-15T18:21:48Z")
Did not have to disconnect the ground wires from the engine or body, but yes I double checked to make sure. ---
**Author:** ![jcopeland29710](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/97f17d/32.png) [@jcopeland29710](https://community.cartalk.com/u/jcopeland29710)\ **Post date:** [August 15, 2016, 6:24pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/van-wont-start-after-head-gasket-rebuild/94636/5 "2016-08-15T18:24:58Z")
I checked all of the fuses. I don’t know that there are any fusible links but I will look around under the hood. I know current is getting to the starter because I crossed the positive terminal with the ground and it sparked nicely. How do I go about checking that the ignition switch is good? Do I have to remove the housing around the steering column? ---
**Author:** ![knfenimore](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/k/9fc348/32.png) [@knfenimore](https://community.cartalk.com/u/knfenimore)\ **Post date:** [August 15, 2016, 8:06pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/van-wont-start-after-head-gasket-rebuild/94636/6 "2016-08-15T20:06:10Z")
You can put a meter on the starter solenoid to see if it gets power with the ignition switch. ---
**Author:** ![George\_San\_Jose1](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/e5b9ba/32.png) [@George\_San\_Jose1](https://community.cartalk.com/u/George_San_Jose1)\ **Post date:** [August 20, 2016, 12:49am UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/van-wont-start-after-head-gasket-rebuild/94636/7 "2016-08-20T00:49:44Z")
This is a no-crank problem, right? Should be fairly simple to solve. Suggest to start at the starter motor, make a couple of voltage measurements there. Specifically, measure the voltages at both starter electrical terminals during attempted cranking. Measure from the connector to the starter case. There’s a thin wire, and a thick wire connected to the starter, right? Both should measure 10.5 volts or more during attempted cranking Do they? ---
**Author:** ![oldtimer-11](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/o/e79b87/32.png) [@oldtimer-11](https://community.cartalk.com/u/oldtimer-11)\ **Post date:** [August 20, 2016, 3:27pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/van-wont-start-after-head-gasket-rebuild/94636/8 "2016-08-20T15:27:45Z")
Does this van have a neutral safety switch and could you have knocked the plug loose when doing the gaskets? ---
**Author:** ![Cavell](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/cartalk/user_avatar/community.cartalk.com/cavell/32/43396_2.png) [@Cavell](https://community.cartalk.com/u/Cavell)\ **Post date:** [August 20, 2016, 10:54pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/van-wont-start-after-head-gasket-rebuild/94636/9 "2016-08-20T22:54:59Z")
Remove the heavy ga wire on starter and lightly sand the terminal surface. I had the same issue recently. it looked ok but a bit of sandpaper made it crank.