89 4.9
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Freshman User
Joined: May 2005
Posts: 27
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From: Salem, Oregon
89 4.9
Hello all. I just searched and read 17 pages and can't find whats wrong with the van. It's a 89 E-150 club wagon. My wife went to an apt and when she went to leave the thing wouldn't start. She called me and I thought maybe she had left something on and killed the battery. I tried to jump it to no avail.
It has power to the lights and everything. It makes no noise what so ever when I turn the key. I just bought the van 3 months ago and noticed that about every 30-50 starts it "lopes". I have just turned it off and restarted it and it ran fine. Does this have to do with the ignition? I'm looking to fix this and don't have a lot of funds. HELP!
It has power to the lights and everything. It makes no noise what so ever when I turn the key. I just bought the van 3 months ago and noticed that about every 30-50 starts it "lopes". I have just turned it off and restarted it and it ran fine. Does this have to do with the ignition? I'm looking to fix this and don't have a lot of funds. HELP!
Senior User
Joined: Jul 2010
Posts: 140
Likes: 1
From: St. Petersburg, Florida
Not if the trouble was a bad Starter "Solenoid", the relay that has to operate in order to energize the starter. I'm not familiar with the 4.9, sometimes the Solenoid is a separate part and sometimes it's actually built on to the Starter itself. It's a relay-like device that closes larger electrical contacts to allow the higher current to flow to run the Starter. If it's primary coil was burnt out, or intermittantly losing continunity, there would be no sound when you turn the key to start.....even with a jumper battery.
Vaya con Dios,
Chuck, CABGx3
Vaya con Dios,
Chuck, CABGx3
Cross-Country
Joined: Mar 2007
Posts: 86
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Could also be the neutral safety switch. The starter solenoid is near the battery on front on van. It has 3 wires going to it: A large one directly from positive terminal of battery. This terminal should be live all the time. A second large one that sends power to the starter. This terminal should be live only when the ignition is in the start position. Third is a small wire that brings power to the solenoid only when the ignition is in the start position.
If there is no power at the small wire when starting the engine, the neutral switch, ignition switch or wires along that circuit is bad. If you have power at the small wire, the wire leading to the started should also have power. If wire to stater has no power, the solenoid is bad.
Another test is to move the shifter from park to neutral and see if the van starts. If moving the shifter back and forth between P and N allows the van to start, the neutral safety switch is bad or might just need an adjustment.
If there is no power at the small wire when starting the engine, the neutral switch, ignition switch or wires along that circuit is bad. If you have power at the small wire, the wire leading to the started should also have power. If wire to stater has no power, the solenoid is bad.
Another test is to move the shifter from park to neutral and see if the van starts. If moving the shifter back and forth between P and N allows the van to start, the neutral safety switch is bad or might just need an adjustment.
Senior User
Joined: Jul 2010
Posts: 140
Likes: 1
From: St. Petersburg, Florida
Could also be the neutral safety switch. The starter solenoid is near the battery on front on van. It has 3 wires going to it: A large one directly from positive terminal of battery. This terminal should be live all the time. A second large one that sends power to the starter. This terminal should be live only when the ignition is in the start position. Third is a small wire that brings power to the solenoid only when the ignition is in the start position.
If there is no power at the small wire when starting the engine, the neutral switch, ignition switch or wires along that circuit is bad. If you have power at the small wire, the wire leading to the started should also have power. If wire to stater has no power, the solenoid is bad.
Another test is to move the shifter from park to neutral and see if the van starts. If moving the shifter back and forth between P and N allows the van to start, the neutral safety switch is bad or might just need an adjustment.
If there is no power at the small wire when starting the engine, the neutral switch, ignition switch or wires along that circuit is bad. If you have power at the small wire, the wire leading to the started should also have power. If wire to stater has no power, the solenoid is bad.
Another test is to move the shifter from park to neutral and see if the van starts. If moving the shifter back and forth between P and N allows the van to start, the neutral safety switch is bad or might just need an adjustment.
Vaya con Dios,
Chuck, CABGx3
Thread Starter
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Freshman User
Joined: May 2005
Posts: 27
Likes: 0
From: Salem, Oregon
Hey guys. I replaced the starter solenoid and now it runs great. Thanks a ton. I had been looking all around the starter for the solenoid. ( Haynes doesn't tell you where it's at). After I read Firepop's reply I found and replaced it. Thanks again.
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Senior User
Joined: Jul 2010
Posts: 140
Likes: 1
From: St. Petersburg, Florida
Thanks for closing the loop themred65. It's always nice to hear what actually fixed a trouble. As you know from researching back threads, it will help others in the long run too.
Vaya con Dios,
Chuck, CABGx3
Vaya con Dios,
Chuck, CABGx3
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From: Chicago area
I have an '88 w/5.8L and have a similar no start problem every once in a while. It is not the solinoid but a bad contact on the starter switch. Rather then replace the switch I installed a relay near the solinoid and a push button switch hidden under the dash to activate it. When ever the truck won't start I just reach down and push the button and the starter cranks.
Senior User
Joined: Jul 2010
Posts: 140
Likes: 1
From: St. Petersburg, Florida
Thanks for sharing that jimbbski. I'm old enough that I remember that cars actually came that way from the factory. They had a separate ignition switch and a push button for the starter........LOL.......miss then days.
Vaya con Dios,
Chuck, CABGx3
Vaya con Dios,
Chuck, CABGx3
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78bigunns
1987 - 1996 F150 & Larger F-Series Trucks
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Aug 25, 2003 09:37 PM
