'69 P/U. Good battery. Good starter, etc. I went to crank it today and nothing. The accessories work (radio, guages, etc) but when the key is turned to engage the starter, nothing. I mean NOTHING. No groaning, clicking, huming, singing or dancing. Just dead silence. I do this a couple more times while looking at the battery gauge, it doesn't flench a millimeter. I jiggle the transmission selector, made sure I was in park, tried it in neutral. Nada!
I evenutally start the truck by "jumping" the starter relay with a key- I didn't have a screwdriver. Starts up like a champ.

On the way home I think, ignition switch? Starter relay? Netural safety switch?
I remove and check the ignition switch with a continuity tester. Every position is fine.

So guys, what is next?
Do I need to check the Netural Safety Switch... and how.

How to I trouble-shoot the Starter Relay. It has two small terminals and the two large ones (from batt and to starter). What do each of the small terms. I assume one comes from the ignition to close the circuit to the starter. The other?? One has an "S" the other I can't see yet.

Any other suggestions?

I mean, heck a Starter realy is only 15 bucks. So that's my first inclination.

Thanks in advance.
Jay

 

If you can start the engine by the screwdriver tchnique, the starter solinoid is probably ok. I would check the lockout switch. It mounts on the steering column. You could check with your test light or jumper it out.

 

With the truck in Park.
Take a 14 gauge wire from the posrive battery post and touch the other end to the * S * terminal of the solemoid.

See if it turns over doing that.
To test the Ignition switch power to S terminal you will need an assistant.Use test light at plug for S terminal turn key to start > if it illuminates > If it does, Ignition switch is good.


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>With the truck in Park.
>Take a 14 gauge wire from the posrive battery post and touch
>the other end to the * S * terminal of the solemoid.
>
>See if it turns over doing that.
>To test the Ignition switch power to S terminal you will
>need an assistant.Use test light at plug for S terminal turn
>key to start > if it illuminates > If it does, Ignition
>switch is good.

Dont forget that the neutral safety switch is in series with the ignition switch. So if it is bad you wont get 12 volts at the "S" terminal with the key to start.
If you can jump 12 volts to the "S" terminal and the starter turns the starter relay is good.
If you check all the positions of the ignition switch and got continuity at the proper time, that eliminates it.
Only leaves two things....bad neutral safety switch or a broken wire.
Oh one more maybe the neutral switch just isnt getting actuated...broken actuating rod????


Sparky

 

[updated:LAST EDITED ON 14-Jul-02 AT 07:35 AM (EST)]>How to I trouble-shoot the Starter Relay. It has two small
>terminals and the two large ones (from batt and to starter).
>What do each of the small terms. I assume one comes from the
>ignition to close the circuit to the starter. The other??
>One has an "S" the other I can't see yet.

The fourth position on your starter relay is a 12VDC connection to your coil. This provides a solid 12VDC signal while starting. When key is moved to run position the voltage for the coil runs through a resistance (either a ballast resistor or resitor wire).

If you have a column shift the neutral safety switch is on the column but for a floor shift the switch is on the transmission. Wherever it is find the two red/blue stripe wires and jumper them together. This is the wire that runs from ignjiton start position to "S" terminal on relay. If this works to start the truck then replace your safety switch. Check your backup lights as they also run through this switch.
Russell
1968 F250 LWB 300-6
FORD=First on Race Day
MOPAR=Mostly Old Parts and Rust
GMC=Got a Mechanic Comming