Truck won't start. When I jump the starter solenoid it tries.
 

1986 f350 utility truck. 351w. Automatic.

So yeah, truck won't start. When I jump the solenoid it turns over and tries to start. No click, no lights, no power whatsoever. I'm pretty sure the problem is purely electrical.

I've pulled apart the steering column and can see the poles moving when I turn the key, so I know it's not the ignition switch itself.

All wires are connected.

This happened before and I was able to fix the problem by messing with the ground post by the battery.

Tried this again but nothing is happening this time.

Would appreciate input as I am running out of ideas. Can take pics or give any info needed

In the lower picture, take the small red/blue wire off that goes to the little red elbow on the solenoid. Then take a screw driver and touch the small post where the red elbow went to the large terminal with the two red wires that go to the battery. It should crank.

If it does crank, then I suspect you have a neutral safety switch problem, either on the side of the tranny if it's a automatic, or on the clutch pedal.

Power goes from the ignition switch, through the neutral safety switch, to the red elbow.

Okay. I just tried that and it did try and crank when I used the screwdriver. I know my NSS itself is good but I'm thinking one of the wires connecting it is broken or something. Checking now. Thanks man I never would have thought to even check those wires! I'll let you know what I find.