Hey everybody, I'm new to the forum, but it seems like a very nice site. Anyway, I was run into head-on by a hummer a couple of months ago, and little problems keep creeping up.

(I'm running a 1989 Bronco II XL, 2.9L 5-speed manual, 4x4).

About a week ago, after stalling the engine, I turned the key. I heard a click from the general area of the starter relay, and my entire electrical system immediately went dead, and not a peep from my starter. I tried the key a couple more times, nothing happened, I banged my head on the steering wheel for a minute, then I tried again and the engine turned over.

The next morning, the engine turned over just fine, but I heard that starter relay click again, a noise I had never noticed before and which didn't occur again until yesterday. Again yesterday, when I turned the key the whole electrical system went out (radio, lights, even the voltage gauge disconnected which normally reads when the car is off). As I turned the key a few more times, I only heard that clicking noise about 10% of the time. The engine won't turn over at all, so I disconnected the battery's negative terminal. My battery voltage is steady at 12.5 V. I haven't had a chance to load test it, though. Any thoughts, suggestions for diagnosis? Replacing the relay is a priority for me (if I can get to a parts store!), but the combination of symptoms doesn't really make sense to me.

 

have you checked your celonoid, and do you have any wires showing signs of arcing or melted conections. When this happens does your battery or anything else get hot?

 

When I've ran across this problem in my '97, it's usually been a result of loose/dirty/corroded connections at the battery posts.

 

Sounds like your battery is weak & do for a replacement. Before doing that clean the battery terminals. If no start turn on the ignition with the car in neutral, block the wheels & than jumper across the solenoid with a heavy wire. Jumper from where the + lead connects to the other side. If no start you have dead battery or possible a bad starter. If start you have weak solenoid.