intermittent ignition switch
Thread Starter
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Fleet Mechanic
Joined: Apr 2003
Posts: 1,460
Likes: 6
From: Florida
intermittent ignition switch
sometimes when I turn the ignition switch to start my '92 Aerostar, nothing happens, (blank- no contact, no start). Dash lights turn on, fuel pump kicks on, and everything else seems normal, except there is no start-action. I turn the switch back to zero, then try again and it works fine. I cleaned and tightened the battery cables, (battery charge seems fine), and cleaned the Start-Relay contacts. Problem has been reduced but still happens. Anyone has any hints to troubleshoot this ? It started happening a month ago, never had the problem before. Mileage: 173,000. 3.0 with Aux. A/C.
thanks for any help.
Jose
thanks for any help.
Jose
New User
Joined: Sep 2003
Posts: 2
Likes: 0
From: Dallas
Jose,
I have a 1996 3.0 with 105k and the same ignition problem happened to me last month. I have a column shifter. It seems that the linkage of the shifter goes down to the driver's side of the tranny and connects to a position sensor. The position of this is adjustable with a pair of 8mm bolts. I adjusted mine at night with the wheels blocked and the shifter in the reverse position. The engine does not need to be running. I loosened both 8mm bolts and twisted the module until the rear backup lights came on. I moved the module both directions and tried to center it in between the two extremes of the tailights going off and on. Then I tightened the 8mm bolts.
I suspect the module moved due to some tranny oil getting on it. This might need to be cleaned off before the module will stay in position.
Good luck!
Richard
I have a 1996 3.0 with 105k and the same ignition problem happened to me last month. I have a column shifter. It seems that the linkage of the shifter goes down to the driver's side of the tranny and connects to a position sensor. The position of this is adjustable with a pair of 8mm bolts. I adjusted mine at night with the wheels blocked and the shifter in the reverse position. The engine does not need to be running. I loosened both 8mm bolts and twisted the module until the rear backup lights came on. I moved the module both directions and tried to center it in between the two extremes of the tailights going off and on. Then I tightened the 8mm bolts.
I suspect the module moved due to some tranny oil getting on it. This might need to be cleaned off before the module will stay in position.
Good luck!
Richard
Thread Starter
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Fleet Mechanic
Joined: Apr 2003
Posts: 1,460
Likes: 6
From: Florida
Richard:
thanks, I'll check the linkage sensor, mine is also a column shifter.
BTW: whenever this happens, I hear a "click", actually more like a "clock" sound, and it seems to come from the Start Relay area
next to the battery.
Jose
thanks, I'll check the linkage sensor, mine is also a column shifter.
BTW: whenever this happens, I hear a "click", actually more like a "clock" sound, and it seems to come from the Start Relay area
next to the battery.
Jose
New User
Joined: Sep 2003
Posts: 2
Likes: 0
From: Dallas
Jose,
Sorry about the delay, I have not checked my email in awhile.
Maybe I heard a click from that area. when starting the car.
Maybe in your case the Start Relay is having a problem, or maybe it did not get enough power due to the Linkage switch not making full contact.
Godd Luck,
Richard
Sorry about the delay, I have not checked my email in awhile.
Maybe I heard a click from that area. when starting the car.
Maybe in your case the Start Relay is having a problem, or maybe it did not get enough power due to the Linkage switch not making full contact.
Godd Luck,
Richard
Thread Starter
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Fleet Mechanic
Joined: Apr 2003
Posts: 1,460
Likes: 6
From: Florida
Coals
Mario:
saludos; ¿ how do you say Starter Coals in Spanish ?
I don't think 'coals' is the right description but I think I know
what you mean. "Carbón" = "Coal".
¿ los carbónes del Starter que se han gastado/deteriorado ?
Richard: it is not the Linkage Sensor, it's either the Starter Relay
or the Starter.
¿ a como estan los Volkswagen Beetles por allá ? ¿ baratos ?
(uno nuevecito sin millaje).
thanks/gracias
Jose
saludos; ¿ how do you say Starter Coals in Spanish ?
I don't think 'coals' is the right description but I think I know
what you mean. "Carbón" = "Coal".
¿ los carbónes del Starter que se han gastado/deteriorado ?
Richard: it is not the Linkage Sensor, it's either the Starter Relay
or the Starter.
¿ a como estan los Volkswagen Beetles por allá ? ¿ baratos ?
(uno nuevecito sin millaje).
thanks/gracias
Jose
Senior User
Joined: Nov 2002
Posts: 106
Likes: 0
From: Puebla Mexico
Jose, en realidad no soy ingeniaro en mecanica o tal vez mecanico, por eso desconosco los terminos apropiados para referirme a los componentes exactos. Una disculpa a todos, seguire esforzandome y espero no haya ninguna amonestacion por no escribir este mensaje es ingles. Si he transgredido alguna regla del foro por escribir en español la acepto y corregire. Hace dos semanas me sucedio lo mismo con la marcha de mi Aerostar, solo hacia click. la baje y desarme y encontre un par de carbones de los cuatro que lleva ya gastados y estos impedia girar la armadura del starter, lo cambie, lave y lubrique la marcha y como nuevos. Los carbones me costaron unos 4 dolares americanos y el trabajo lo hice en dos horas. Fue divertido y relajante.
Del precio del escarabajo te lo informo el proximo lunes, tengo amigos en la armadora Volkswagen de Puebla y a ellos les dan precio bajo ok?
Saludos
Del precio del escarabajo te lo informo el proximo lunes, tengo amigos en la armadora Volkswagen de Puebla y a ellos les dan precio bajo ok?
Saludos
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Thread Starter
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Fleet Mechanic
Joined: Apr 2003
Posts: 1,460
Likes: 6
From: Florida
Bushes
Mario:
English:
I do not think we will be executed for writing in Spanish, but
since this forum is owned by English-speakers, we owe them
the courtesy to chat in "Inglés". But I don't think anyone else
is following this topic anyway.
Español:
No creo que nos van a fusilar por escribir en Español, pero como este foro pertenece a personas de habla Inglésa, les debemos la cortesia de chatear en Inglés; De todas formas, no creo que nadie mas esta observando este topico.
English:
the correct word is "Bushes", which are made of some type of
'carbon', or as you said, "coal". I will check the starter bushes,
it sounds logical. Thanks for the hint.
Español: la palabra correcta es "Bushes", los cuales son hechos de algun tipo de "carbón", o como tu dices, "coal". Voy a verificar
los Bushes pues eso me suena lógico. Gracias por la informacion.
Jose
English:
I do not think we will be executed for writing in Spanish, but
since this forum is owned by English-speakers, we owe them
the courtesy to chat in "Inglés". But I don't think anyone else
is following this topic anyway.
Español:
No creo que nos van a fusilar por escribir en Español, pero como este foro pertenece a personas de habla Inglésa, les debemos la cortesia de chatear en Inglés; De todas formas, no creo que nadie mas esta observando este topico.
English:
the correct word is "Bushes", which are made of some type of
'carbon', or as you said, "coal". I will check the starter bushes,
it sounds logical. Thanks for the hint.
Español: la palabra correcta es "Bushes", los cuales son hechos de algun tipo de "carbón", o como tu dices, "coal". Voy a verificar
los Bushes pues eso me suena lógico. Gracias por la informacion.
Jose
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Joined: Nov 2002
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From: Puebla Mexico
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Senior User
Joined: Aug 2003
Posts: 141
Likes: 0
From: SOGGY TUNDRA
Well I was following what I could in ingles.. 
... I would look hard at the starter relay or the ignition switch. Ford has a two piece on alot of them and they melt the plastic pins in them. this switch is located in the steering column behind the key lock , I would check at auto parts stores online and in person to see if there is a seperate ignition switch,,,then if there is, Find it, and jumps the connections to see, if it hits every time, it is the ignition switch...so good luck.
... I would look hard at the starter relay or the ignition switch. Ford has a two piece on alot of them and they melt the plastic pins in them. this switch is located in the steering column behind the key lock , I would check at auto parts stores online and in person to see if there is a seperate ignition switch,,,then if there is, Find it, and jumps the connections to see, if it hits every time, it is the ignition switch...so good luck.
Senior User
Joined: Aug 2003
Posts: 141
Likes: 0
From: SOGGY TUNDRA
the pins melt from a high resistance and minimal contact due to wear on the bi metal point, thence melting the pin. Giving you everything, but the crank. I have seen this more than once.
I would jump the solenoid at the solenoid. if it cranks or hits everytime, it is before the solenoid, like fuseable link, or relay or ignition switch.
if it does not hit or crank everytime, and you have power to it all, it is after the solenoid. ie starter. make danged sure your battery terminals and connections are VERY clean and Tight. this is a common problem with loose connections at the battery terminal with this van, the battery being located where it is subjects it to many vibrations.
I would jump the solenoid at the solenoid. if it cranks or hits everytime, it is before the solenoid, like fuseable link, or relay or ignition switch.
if it does not hit or crank everytime, and you have power to it all, it is after the solenoid. ie starter. make danged sure your battery terminals and connections are VERY clean and Tight. this is a common problem with loose connections at the battery terminal with this van, the battery being located where it is subjects it to many vibrations.
Last edited by AEROSTAR ALIVE; Nov 14, 2003 at 10:05 PM.
Thread Starter
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Fleet Mechanic
Joined: Apr 2003
Posts: 1,460
Likes: 6
From: Florida
follow up
hey Thanks A. Alive !
Brushes, exactamente. We were lost, we call them "Carbones"
in Spanish, plural for Spanish "Carbón" which means both "Coal", and "Carbon" in English. But indeed, Brushes it is. Mario was saying the Brushes in his Starter were worn to zero, he replaced them and the identical symptom dissapeared. But I'm going to go through the steps you suggest too, I'm still having the problem but it's like every so often, when I least expect it, but I'm lucky it has not stranded me. I actually suspect the Ignition Switch itself,
I mean I can almost turn it without the key in it ! But I also suspect the Starter Relay, and I just haven't had time to dig deeper. I'll find out soon I hope.
Muchas gracias for the help, friend.
Jose
Brushes, exactamente. We were lost, we call them "Carbones"
in Spanish, plural for Spanish "Carbón" which means both "Coal", and "Carbon" in English. But indeed, Brushes it is. Mario was saying the Brushes in his Starter were worn to zero, he replaced them and the identical symptom dissapeared. But I'm going to go through the steps you suggest too, I'm still having the problem but it's like every so often, when I least expect it, but I'm lucky it has not stranded me. I actually suspect the Ignition Switch itself,
I mean I can almost turn it without the key in it ! But I also suspect the Starter Relay, and I just haven't had time to dig deeper. I'll find out soon I hope.
Muchas gracias for the help, friend.
Jose
Senior User
Joined: Aug 2003
Posts: 141
Likes: 0
From: SOGGY TUNDRA
The ignition switch is a different component from the key switch, it usually is screwed on the key switch. Failures of this switch range from intermittent no start to complete no start. I suspect this is your problem. If it were anything other, it would have long since died.