Electrical Gremlin

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Nov 7, 2004 | 05:04 PM

250K AS

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Electrical Gremlin

I'm having trouble with my '94. Once every few months, trying to start it, I will have only a minimal voltage reaching the dash components. My key warning bell will sound sickly, the radio "might" work, and the odometer will not fire up. Interior lights will work, but I can't tell if they are at full brightness. (I didn't check headlights). Starter relay won't fire, no click, nada. In this state, I once tried to jump the relay. I got a little juice through, but not enough to turn the starter. There are two seemingly unrelated "fixes" that have started it. Once, I fiddled with one of the brake pedal switches, this "fixed" the sickly key warining bell (ignition was in on position), then it started right up. Didn't make sense. The second time I had this situation, fiddling with the brake pedal sensors did nothing. I fiddled with the ignition switch, just turning it (a half hour's worth), when it finally fired up. Maybe coincidence?

Any thoughts? I'm leaning towards the ignition switch. Thanks!

JP

Nov 8, 2004 | 01:06 PM

bear2x2

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Joined: Jul 2004

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How much voltage do you have on the silinoid on the wall when cranking the van( the terminal opposite the battery terminal). Also take off the little wire from the igniton to the silinoid and check its voltage. The voltage at the terminal should not drop below 8 volts when cranking. You should also check the wire that connects the silinoid on the starters voltage when cranking, it too should not drop below 8 volts. I am not sure what the the little wire from the ingniton to the silinoid should be. Make sure you battery is fully charged before starting.

Nov 8, 2004 | 01:48 PM

250K AS

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I'm pretty confident that if I took a meter to it right now, all readings would be normal. It's done this with two starter relays. And only when I'm away from home! I'm waiting for it to do this in my driveway so I can really diagnose it.

JP

Nov 9, 2004 | 05:27 PM

cbr900

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Joined: Sep 2004

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From: brooksville, florida

electrical fault

Hi I just had a similar fault on my 91 4.0 it would only start when I fiddled with the ignition switch, I took of the cover under the steering wheel and found that the big white block connector was coming away from the steering colume, this is were the ignition switch slids back a forth so it was not making good contact I had to use wire ties to hold it back in place because the clips holding in on were broken, did the job ok though and have not had the fault again.