I have a 1986 ford bronco, The battery was put in backwards, and there was some smoke from the starter relay area. I replaced the starter relay and when I hook up the battery the engine starts turnig over (no keys in it). Has anyone heard of this happening before. I also tried hooking up the starter relay differently.

Thanks

 

Try pulling off the plug on wire, if the engine stops turning over, that wire is melted to a power wire in the harness.

 

...Welcome irishfan, to Ford Truck Enthusiasts!

Enjoy FTE....see you on the boards.

 

First off, welcome to FTE and the Big Bronco Forum.

Check the wiring around the start solenoid that you just replaced. I'm not 100% certain but if the older starters are like the newer ones there is not only the solenoid on the inner fender but another one that is integral to the starter itself and if the wiring melted down near the one on the inner fender its possible the wire that triggers the one down on the starter is getting power all the time instead of only when the key is turned. Make certain the insulation around all of the wires in that region is in good shape and wires have not melted together which could allow an electrical backfeed of power to the starter. If this does not appear to be the problem you might want to have the starter checked to make certain the internal solenoid wasn't damaged as well.

DON'T change the wiring to the solenoid on the inner fender. If the replacement was wired as the original one was that much of the wiring should be fine.

 

Thank you for your help I will be seeing if it works tomorrow. Will let you know.

 

Changed the starter and now the bronco is running fine. Thanks for the help