Yet another No Start thread

[Pollarican]

Hey guys, recently picked up a 1993 Explorer Sport, 5 Speed trans ($400) with only a few problems until today. This truck was bought simply for the trans, but I have been driving it for transportation to school for the last month.

Drove the truck to my girlfriend's house today, went outside to leave, and wouldn't crank. I heard the fuel pump running, I didn't hear the solenoid click, so I assumed that would be a good start. Went out, bought and installed a new fender mount solenoid, and still that damn thing wouldn't click. In addition, I replaced the battery a few weeks back with one from my original 4 door, which I know is good. Took a multimeter reading, the battery was at about 12.8, and the cable connectors showed no difference in voltage maintaining the fact that they had a good clean connection.

The ignition switch is all futzed up- where you would usually turn your key to in a normal first gen to get it to start is where my key sits when the car is off. The key is stuck in the ignition and will not come out. Turning it all the way forward results in a small power drop (maybe .2 volts) across the battery, so I am assuming it is still functioning properly. I have been starting the car with the ignition like this problem-free since I picked it up before Thanksgiving.

This leads me to believe that the problem lies within my wiring, but I thought I would run it by you guys first to get a few opinions. I have my whole 4 door at my house I can temporarily borrow parts from to get it running. Could it possibly be the ignition relay? Any help is much appreciated!

 

[autodrjr]

did you check to see if your getting signal into and out of the solenoid with the key in the start position? that would be the first place to go. if thats ok than the wiring to the solenoid from the ignition is ok

 

[scrivyscriv]

Check the neutral start switch for normal operation - it's the red-capped small gauge wire on the solenoid, on the left in this picture. Pull it off its stud, then short out the two remaining terminals together with a fat wire or insulated screwdriver - WARNING with your e-brake on, tranny out of gear!

If the engine cranks, you're looking at the ignition switch, neutral start switch (top of tranny shifter cover, unscrews externally) starter-clutch interlock switch on the clutch pedal, or loose wires somewhere inbetween.

If it doesn't crank, 2x check the batt, solenoid, and all the wires & terminals between the starter and battery respectively.

 

[scrivyscriv]

Dang, sorry for that fat picture!!! I tried to size it down but apparently didn't get it right.

-edit-

fixed it

 

[Pollarican]

Thanks for all the help! I drove to my girlfriends house today and took a couple more multimeter readings. The ignition is working for sure, I think I narrowed it down to the pre- solenoid wiring or neutral start switch. I was able to short circuit/ jump the solenoid and got the car running within minutes thanks to the tips you guys gave me. I won't be able to play with it for a few days because I have to take one more final back at Rutgers, but at least it's sitting in my OWN driveway where I have tools and a semi warm garage to work on it in.

 

[scrivyscriv]

Great! Good to hear you've narrowed the problem down!

 

[autodrjr]

im assuming its an automatic trans. i would check the wiring at the nutral switch and make sure you havnt pulled a wire out or the connector isnt green and rot the wires. up here in the north that is usualy the culprit. good luck and glad to hear its running again.

 

[fubar_mdw]

A problem i had in my x was that the battery terminal was just barley loose and it would get crud build up in it and it wouldn't start, everything would click on but as soon as i turned the key it would click and the whole thing would go dead.
I would have to go jiggle the positive battery terminal to get it to start.
i cleaned the whole thing off and tightened it down and have yet to have a problem with it since.