I am hoping someone has some insight into my problem. I have a 1966 F100 with a 352. I am in the process of converting over to power steering and power brakes as well as front disc brakes. I put in a steering column from a 1970 F100 that had an automatic and had power steering so I would not need to cut the steering shaft. I was wanting to check to see if the neutral safety switch(NSS) was adjusted properly but my engine will not crank over now. When I turn on the ignition, nothing happens. Not even a click. The coil wire is pulled so it will not start. The battery is completely charged. I put a charger on it to make sure. Lights will turn on. I thought it might be the NSS, so I pulled the wires to it and bypassed them with a wire. Still nothing. I connected a wire from the "S" terminal of the starter relay to the battery and it sparked, but starter did nothing. I took jumper cables from the positive battery terminal to the other side of the starter relay that goes to the cable to the starter. Again sparks but nothing at the starter. I have inspected the cable connection to the starter and it looks fine. The last time I cranked the engine was to loosen the bolt to the crankshaft pulley/harmonic balancer and it worked fine then. I can turn the engine with a wrench on the crankshaft bolt, so the engine does not appear to be seized. The only thing that I can think of is the starter is out. But why? I haven't used the starter for a while. Is there a way to test the starter without removing it? A way of testing to see if there is power to the starter other than what I have done already?

Any help would be much appreciated.

Thanks,
Rick

 

What you tried but with fewer variables: Remove cables from battery. Attach a jumper cable from battery + directly to starter terminal, jumper cable from battery - to block. If the starter does not engage and crank, wiggle the negative clamp on the block. You should get a lot of sparks if the starter is getting all the battery has to give. Do this test quickly.
Eric.

 

Should be able to connect a volt meter to the positive post on the starter and to the engine block. Have someone turn the key to start. This will let you know if you're getting juice to the starter. If no juice, then work your way backward.

If you have long enough wires on the voltmeter, you can set it on the seat beside you while you turn the key.

 

I will try both of those. Thanks.

 

That will show voltage but we want a test that shows amperage as well. I edited my post above to illustrate that.
Eric.

 

I have seen new nicely painted engines and starters not work before the problem was the paint insulated the starter from ground.

 

As a follow up. I finally found the problem. The red wire with blue strip from the neutral safety switch to the starter relay was no longer carrying a current. I routed a new wire from under the dash to the starter relay and now it turns over just fine. Before I pulled the truck into the garage to add power steering and brakes, it worked just fine. I am not sure what happened, but I am relieved that it is starting now. Thanks to all for your input.

Rick

 

Appreciate the follow up. Those little gremlins can make you want to climb a tree sometimes.