Motorhome has sat during the cold and wet Winter months and the starter would not start with a fully charged battery. No click at the starter. So, I rigged a wire from the small post on the starter solenoid long enough to reach positive side of the battery, turned the key to the start position and tapped my wire to the positive battery post she turned over and started fine. This is the "work around" I use when I cannot get a starter solenoid to engage. Have a Mitsubishi Montero that is notorious for this condition.

Question is: When I turn the key I hear and electrical relay or ?? on the firewall or behind the dash near the driver side corner trying to do something. I don't have a wiring diagram. The starter looks to have the solenoid on the starter. I'm guessing there to be a starter re;ay between the starter and the ignition key.

I need a clue as to the route the starter solenoid current takes from the ignition key to the on starter?
Any help is appreciated!!

 

Here is a diagram of the starting system:

http://www.filedropper.com/75lstartingsystem

 

96E150CW, After diving into this job today, I now know that this model has the same type of relay to send current to the on starter solenoid that Ford has used for years.

The starter relay is working properly (verified by a jumper from + battery post to the relay and resultant cranking).

I now have to figure out why the wiring from the ignition key switch that activates the starter relay is not delivering the current needed. Might be the ignition switch. Could also be a loose or corroded contact somewhere in that circuit. Hard to tell at this point.

Thanks for the help, but I'm not able to down load that diagram. The link leads me to the free file viewer, but no image. Not savy enough to figure it out I guess...:-)

 

It could be an issue with the mlps, try shifting the van into neutral (key in ACCESSORY or RUN mode, then push into N) and see if it lets you start. Lots and LOTS of connectors in this circuit...

 

looks like ya can go to your additional options in your (user cp) section go to additional options and put a check mark in box atomatic retrive links and get it ,I got it and need it also ,so ty to 95e150cw for the link.And to E30tdf,I have a motorhome 88 model with a 460EFI and yes there is a relay there between key switch and the solenoid on the starter,but there are also a neutral safty sw.and the TFI module that opperate that relay coil. I would check the TFI last.On my 460 the TFI module is located on the side of the distributor.

 

Oh cool, I see the digram is posted now.SRY I am new to this site and trying to figure it out.

 

Looks like many of these EFI rigs share a similar starter circuit design.

My Mtisu Montero being similar and so troublesome that I installed a push to start button to make my "work around" permanently in place for use from the driver seat when needed. Too many connections that can go South on us and many of them buried in the works!

The diagram is going to be helpful!
Thank You!

 

Yea I think you'r right on that also,and as for buried in the works ,man I cant eaven find the distributor on mine without half an hour of crawling under the hood and a swim threw a bunch of wireing that look like a pot of spagatti.

 

"It could be an issue with the mlps, try shifting the van into neutral (key in ACCESSORY or RUN mode, then push into N) and see if it lets you start. Lots and LOTS of connectors in this circuit... "

I tried this suggestion this morning and she started right up in NEUTRAL! Then shoved the shifter back into PARK and it started there also. So maybe just by using it a few times it has cleared the corrosion on that NEUTRAL SAFETY SWITCH.

Great Suggestion! Thank You!<!-- / message -->

 

WELL......took the rig for a 7-8 mile drive. Was hearing something unusual so I turned around and could smell something electrical had gotten hot. Fortunately, I pulled over to make sure the brakes were not hot and nothing was on fire. Then, drove on home. Afterward it would not turn the starter. Removed the starter and it is all messsed up with parts ground up inside. Out on the road, if I had turned the motor off, I would have been calling a tow truck.

Junk Yard Recycled will be my choice. I have not had good luck with rebuilt starters from the after market crowd!

I think it stuck engaged with the ring gear and the engine drove the starter to failure!

 

Found me a used starter this afternoon at a local Wrecking Yard. Got it installed and it works great.

I can move on to something else now. Thanks Guys!