I recently purchased a 79 f100 with 351 transplant. I get power to the selonoid, turn the ignition key and nothing. Leave the key on cross the selonoid and still it won't turn over. I have already replaced the selonoid and starter. Any other suggestions ?

 

Put a test light from known good ground to the starter side of the solenoid, turn the key and see if you have power there. If no then:

Jump from the batt-side of the solenoid to the S terminal of the solenoid.

Do you hear the solenoid clicking?

Does the test light light up?

 

Check the fusible link coming off of the solenoid. Do you have any power going to the lights, stereo, or anything else that runs off the ignition switch?

 

if its an auto trans check the nss.

 

According to the Haynes Auto Repair manual if the NSS is on the steering column (pre 78) it can calibrated.
1. Disconnect the switch wires at the plug connector.
2. Loosen the screws holding the switch to the column.
3. Hold the selector lever against the Neutral stop.
4. Move the sliding block on the switch to the Neutral position.
5. Working from the rear of the switch insert a 43 drill bit into the guage pin hole.
6. Slide the switch as necessary to permit the actuating lever to contact the sliding block on the switch. Tighten the switch mounting screws and remove the drill bit.
7. Reconnect the wire plug connector.

As suggest by 400 Over, the starter will operate only when the selector is in Park or Neutral.

 

Have your battery checked out. You may have a dead cell.

 

I'll give you my two cents. I had what sounds like a similar problem. (77 F100) I had "clicking" at the solenoid, but couldn't get the engine to crank.

I ended up replacing the starter, which I believe was on the way out, but the root of the problem was a weak battery and lack of grounding. It's quick and easy to take the time to fully charge your battery, or try another one you know is good if you have it, and to make up a ground wire. I made a ground and ran it from the block, to the frame, to the body. In my opinion the ground was the answer.

Thanks to the help of forum members, cause I wouldn't have figured it out myself!!!

Good luck

 

Thanks for the help guys ! Ihabe checked the battery even took a good one out of one of my other cars, checked my ground and checked the current on numerous positions. I completely forgot about the nss so I am gonna checking next. . I will update the result soon !

 

Ok crawled under her today and found that the NSS was completely unplugged and tied up out of the way. Most of the wires toward the plug end are trashed so I thought about just bypassing it for now . Any suggestions on which color wires ?

 

Did you try jumping it at the solenoid? That by passes everything and lets you know if your solenoid is bad or good and if your starter works or not.

Battery positive to the "s" terminal on the side of the solenoid with a small jumper wire. Just a touch will do.

It will either click and nothing else. = Bad starter wire or starter.

or

It will click and the starter will crank the motor. = Problem before the solenoid.

Could be the NNS or the ign switch or power to the ign switch.

Tests should be done with a fully charged battery.

Edit: I think the white/pink wire and Black/Red wire are for back up lights. The two red/blue wires are the neutral safety. Click this link to part

.

 

Oldstyle.. I cut and connected the red and blue wires to each other ( I believe this is the proper way to bypass the NSS) I then used a jumper wire from the positive side of the selonoid . just got the clicking. I replaced the starter last week so there shouldnt be a problem there. Do you possibly have a link to a wiring diagram so I can start tracing down the wire. or any other suggestions. I'm at a loss!

 

Here's a link to the wiring diagrams. Scroll down to 1979 then it's the first diagram. A little hard to read but.... 1973-1979 Ford Truck Wiring Diagrams & Schematics - FORDification.net

I would think if it is just clicking then you need to check the connections between the solenoid and the starter; large gauge cable. That or the solenoid is bad and not making a solid connection between the batt and starter.

Does it also click when using the key? If it does then the wiring between the ign sw and solenoid is functioning.

You do have a fully charged battery, right?

.

 

I dont get anything when I turn the key. Here is a little histroy that i got from the previous owner. He used to have to turn the key and then jump the solenoid but then it got to where that wouldnt even work and the key would completely spin so he replaced it. after that it would not even jump at the solenoid. I am using the battery out of my Jeep with jumper cables. Do I actually need to take it out and place it into the truck .. I dont think it would make that much difference. I dont see any fraying on the wire going from the solenoid to the starter and it looks fairly new, def not the original. But now Im thinking I need to replace the ign switch and the starter wire.

THanks to everyone who has given input on this situation. With yalls input a little patients I am really hoping to get this thing running. Me and my ten year old son are gonna restore this beast !