Well, I got it goin again and the cause was rather embarrasing. As stated earlier after I first replaced the starter it started and seemed to work perfect. At that point I reinstalled the steering column bottom cover and put away tools to find the H2 again not starting and the key stuck in the ignition.
After trying everything for hours, this morning I removed the new starter and did a bench test - it passed fine. At least this bench test gave me piece of mind that my original starter was dead as the same bench test on the original starter proved a bad starter motor.
So I re-installed the starter and still same issue. I then checked my fuses and found the ignition 40a fuse blown - I installed a new fuse and the truck started fine and the key is no longer getting stuck. I'm still puzzled what caused the fuse to blow, but I suspect as I was fiddling to get the steering column cover on perhaps I pushed on some wires causing a short??? Anyway I turned it off and on a few dozen times and drove around and all seems fine. Hopefully I do not end up with another blown fuse as that may suggest the idiot tow truck driver may have done some damage when he crossed the wires when jumping it.
BTW - where were all the helpful techs or advice?? Am I the only handy/techy H2 owner that does his own repairs or is not scared to get his hands dirty? I guess most of you take it to the shop for everything (probably even to get a oil change)
