83 351W Won't Start
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Joined: Mar 2002
Posts: 16
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83 351W Won't Start
I have a problem somewhere upstream of the starter relay (I think). One day my truck starts fine, now it won't even crank. I have a good battery, and new cable from pos terminal to relay and a new relay. That is where the current ends. If I jump the relay the starter motor will crank so I suspect the ignition switch is bad. How do I test it? It could also be the neutral safety switch maybe? I looked at the actuator and it functions ok. are ther other things that could be causing this? bad ground cable from neg terminal to block?
83 Bronco XLT, 351W, C6 Auto
83 Bronco XLT, 351W, C6 Auto
Posting Guru
Joined: Jun 1999
Posts: 2,415
Likes: 3
From: Comox Valley, Canada
83 351W Won't Start
Check for 12 volts at the "S" terminal of the starter relay. This is the voltage from the ignition switch that closes the relay. If you dont have 12 volts it could be the neutral safety switch. So try starting the truck in neutral, or wiggle the shift lever while trying it. Also you can check for 12 volts in and out of the neutral switch with the key held to start, disconnect the wire from the "S" terminal so the truck doesnt start by accident while you are faultfinding. 12 in nothing out bad or misadjusted switch. Nothing in possible bad ignition switch or wire.
Also make sure the start relay is grounded, the mounting bolts are the ground. So make sure they are clean, the relay mount is shiney clean and the mount spot on the truck is shiney clean.
Another quick check of the relay and its ground is to jump 12 volts direct to the "S" terminal. If the truck turns over the relay and ground, starter wires, and starter are good.
This should get you started
in the faultfinding.
Sparky
Also make sure the start relay is grounded, the mounting bolts are the ground. So make sure they are clean, the relay mount is shiney clean and the mount spot on the truck is shiney clean.
Another quick check of the relay and its ground is to jump 12 volts direct to the "S" terminal. If the truck turns over the relay and ground, starter wires, and starter are good.
This should get you started
in the faultfinding.Sparky
Senior User
Joined: Feb 2002
Posts: 258
Likes: 0
From: Allegan Michigan
83 351W Won't Start
Turn the key on and see if any lights come on on the dash. If not you might have blown a fuse link. They are what I call little burps in the wires that come off the hot side of the starter sylonoid. To tell if you have a blown fuse link pull on the wire ( give it a good tug) and if it act's like it is streaching it is blown. One of the main fuse links is power to the Ing switch and if it is blown you will not have any power to the Ing. switch.
Good luck
Good luck
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