What do you think?
Key no starter
remote switch clicking
screwdriver starts fine

 

The most common Ford electrical parts failure start problem of all time (excluding dead batteries)...

The starter solenoids guts are now well done / toasted.

The screwdriver is also known as the red neck Ford solenoid tester and remote start switch.

*Having owned several dozen Fords, I usually have a spare starter solenoid in the glove box or vehicle too kit for each one (and spare fuses, single and dual lamps, and at least one spare headlight)... the spare solenoid for my spare bumpside, however, is now currently residing in the neighbor kid's dentside, since he came over asking the same question... <$10 investment in parts = cheap insurance and non-scorched screwdrivers.

 

New key switch/cylinder
New selenoid

 

Then the most likely problem is the hot wire from the switch (assuming the new parts are in fact functional).

Either the wire is:

1) not connected correctly, (make sure the connections to the new solenoid really are the same as the old one)
2) the wire is fused, but the fuse is blown, or
3) the wire is broken along the path somewhere (at steering column, firewall or somewhere in the engine compartment where it was stressed or burnt due to bad routing)..

 

Check battery cables, ground first. Sounds like the + may be putting out enough fire to engage the starter with screwdriver but current not good on the - side to make good circuit.

Next check out voltage regulator.


guluk




John

 

Sir , you did not say if it is an automatic transmisson, if so it could be the neutral start switch. Kenny Nunez