Need No Start Help!

[johngagemn]

I have a '97 XLT 4.0 OHV.

While completing some engine work I accidentally shorted my positive battery terminal to one of the valve covers for a split second. Getting past the idiocy of what I did, I need some help figuring out what I need to do now.

Ignition in the RUN position - everything on the chassis seems to function, all lights, radio, blower motor, etc, but when I turn it to START nothing happens.

I tried bypassing the starter relay by jumping the terminals, when I do that the engine cranks over but will not start.

I checked every fuse, including all the maxi fuses in the power distribution box, and all appear to be intact.

The only fusible link I can find is the one with two gray wires running from the bottom post of the starter relay over toward the engine combining into a larger black/orange wire. I checked circuit continuity from each gray wire to the black/orange one and it seems to test out fine.

Anyone have any ideas? I really need to get this thing back running tomorrow...

 

[imp]

Since everything electrical seems to work, and the engine will crank when jury-rigged, 2 things come to mind: no fuel, or no spark, or BOTH. A large current surge as you describe might just have fried your computer. In order for the key to initiate engine crank, the PCM must identify the key, first thing. If it cannot, no start.

Just my opinion. imp

 

[johngagemn]

Well, it's fixed. Turned out that the neutral safety switch is getting touchy. After jamming the gear selector harder into Park it fired right up, but not before I'd tested just about every dang circuit I could think of.

Just goes to show, always recheck the simple stuff!

 

[imp]

Well, it's fixed. Turned out that the neutral safety switch is getting touchy. After jamming the gear selector harder into Park it fired right up, but not before I'd tested just about every dang circuit I could think of.

Just goes to show, always recheck the simple stuff!

Thanks for the "heads-up". Glad you got it licked. imp