Denali acts as if the battery is dead.

[rockola1971]

Feel free to elaborate. Tell me how you will experience current draw from the starter if the ignition switch is faulty and the engine isn't cranking.

This is also a partially inaccurate statement. You arent getting current draw from the starter when in two instances (when the key is turned to the crank position) and the ignition switch has failed or is failing.

First scenario there is a partial or full short to ground in the ignition switch. Two or more terminals (one of them being ground) are electrically connected by either bent terminals within the switch or conductive carbon on the contacts bridging the wrong contacts. This carbon is formed by arcing within switch.

Second scenario is a connection in the switch that becomes hot (12vdc +) when the switch is moved to the crank position has an attached wire (could be one to the starter solenoid) has insulation rubbed/burnt/melted/chafed off and exposing conductors to ground (engine block, chassis, etc.).

Both of those would make the lights dim but because all of the current is being diverted to least path of resistance (ground) then the starter does nothing.

 

[M1Gunner]

Feel free to elaborate. Tell me how you will experience current draw from the starter if the ignition switch is faulty and the engine isn't cranking.

And to add to @rockola1971's reply...

Another scenario involving high resistance due to carbon, corrosion build up, etc between the contacts within the ignition switch will cause the circuit to become faulty with intermediate failures or completely condemn the component. With symptoms that will emulate your "current draw", proven with the basic knowledge of Ohm's law.

 

[jaywoo65]

Im familiar. Worked Avionics in the Air Force for a bunch of years. It's a starter and I'd put money on that.

 

[cheebs]

Ordered a starter. but I will just replace both if it comes to that.

 

[cheebs]

Starter fixed the issue. Thanks for everyone's input.