Starting Problem
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Starting Problem
I have a 1996 F-150. The battery is brand new but when I turn on the igntion nothing happens. I can crank it by using a screwdriver to jump across the starter relay mounted on the fender. Does this mean the iginition switch is bad or is the relay bad?
Thanks!
Thanks!
Fleet Owner
Joined: Aug 2001
Posts: 29,941
Likes: 46
From: Drummonds, TN USA
A-right. You have two real big wires, and two little bitty ones on the starter relay.
What you want is a test light for this - because a meter might just read twelve volts but it won't tell you how much current it has behind it.
Unplug the two small wires, and hook the test light up to them (if they are the round female ones that slide onto the terminals - you can stick a small screw into one of them to put the test light clip on), then turn the key and watch the light. If it doesn't light (or not well) it may be the switch. If it lights brightly, you want to try another thing...
(Hook them things back up first!)
*You think I'm kidding.... I've done that to me.
Clip the test light to the negative terminal on your battery.
Undo the BIG wire that goes down to your starter and hook the test light someway onto the terminal on the relay you took the wire off from (A small pair of vice grips might just do it). *Be careful not to mess up the screw threads. Now go turn the key again and watch the light.
If it lights up real bright, you may have a cruddy connection at the starter.
If the first test worked, but the second doesn't - you prolly have a bad relay.
If both tests run good, and the starter connections are clean: UNBOLT THAT SUCKER and take it to a parts house to have it tested for free with their equipment.
(They do that. It doesn't help them to sell you stuff you find out you don't need, because you'll go somewhere else next time)
The key here is to go one step at a time. And by the way - check the battery to make sure it isn't just plain low...
MAKE DEAD SURE THE POSITIVE BATTERY POST is clean as a new whistle!
*Most people clean the negative post and skip cleaning the positive one. I still don't know why - and that's where a lot of trouble is caused.
**The best thing on earth you can use to keep your battery posts clean is plain old vaseline. It repells water, and battery acid is in a water-acid solution. It will also help keep the bolts on the clamps from rusting up, and lubricate them so they don't get stuck.
I'm going to place a bet here, and say that you ain't gitting power from the switch. But that could be bad connections too...
When you jump it like that, you're pulling power direct from the battery to it.
That also tells me the GROUND side is good.
If you decide to replace the switch, you'll find out it doesn't look like you thought it would. It's probably a long way down the steering column from where the key goes into it. Don't let that worry you, just go there!
What you want is a test light for this - because a meter might just read twelve volts but it won't tell you how much current it has behind it.
Unplug the two small wires, and hook the test light up to them (if they are the round female ones that slide onto the terminals - you can stick a small screw into one of them to put the test light clip on), then turn the key and watch the light. If it doesn't light (or not well) it may be the switch. If it lights brightly, you want to try another thing...
(Hook them things back up first!)
*You think I'm kidding.... I've done that to me.
Clip the test light to the negative terminal on your battery.
Undo the BIG wire that goes down to your starter and hook the test light someway onto the terminal on the relay you took the wire off from (A small pair of vice grips might just do it). *Be careful not to mess up the screw threads. Now go turn the key again and watch the light.
If it lights up real bright, you may have a cruddy connection at the starter.
If the first test worked, but the second doesn't - you prolly have a bad relay.
If both tests run good, and the starter connections are clean: UNBOLT THAT SUCKER and take it to a parts house to have it tested for free with their equipment.
(They do that. It doesn't help them to sell you stuff you find out you don't need, because you'll go somewhere else next time)
The key here is to go one step at a time. And by the way - check the battery to make sure it isn't just plain low...
MAKE DEAD SURE THE POSITIVE BATTERY POST is clean as a new whistle!
*Most people clean the negative post and skip cleaning the positive one. I still don't know why - and that's where a lot of trouble is caused.
**The best thing on earth you can use to keep your battery posts clean is plain old vaseline. It repells water, and battery acid is in a water-acid solution. It will also help keep the bolts on the clamps from rusting up, and lubricate them so they don't get stuck.
I'm going to place a bet here, and say that you ain't gitting power from the switch. But that could be bad connections too...
When you jump it like that, you're pulling power direct from the battery to it.
That also tells me the GROUND side is good.
If you decide to replace the switch, you'll find out it doesn't look like you thought it would. It's probably a long way down the steering column from where the key goes into it. Don't let that worry you, just go there!
Fleet Owner
Joined: Aug 2001
Posts: 29,941
Likes: 46
From: Drummonds, TN USA
A long time ago I had a bad starter in OAK CITY at a trucker stop.
I did my best to rebuild it three times.
I knew it was toast....
I got a ride into town and back from some people I never knew and don't remember. I hope they are doing well these days.
When it was all said and done I had a Toyota starter in a Datsun - and I ran full speed all the way to silver springs maryland in it!
When and if you look back on this, I hope you laugh!
1) NEVER QUIT!
2) UBU
I did my best to rebuild it three times.
I knew it was toast....
I got a ride into town and back from some people I never knew and don't remember. I hope they are doing well these days.
When it was all said and done I had a Toyota starter in a Datsun - and I ran full speed all the way to silver springs maryland in it!
When and if you look back on this, I hope you laugh!
1) NEVER QUIT!
2) UBU
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