I turn the key and nothing happens

[93preranger]

OK I'm going crazy I stopped at a relatives house for about 30 min. and when I went back outside I turned the key and it acted like a dead battery. So I went home and got a different battery that I know is good, and charged. When I put the 2nd battery in it I have a good reading on my ammeter *sp, the radio turns on, all lights work, but when I turn the key the starter doesn't do anything no clicks, nothing, we tried to jump it as if it wasnt getting enough juice. To no prevail. I have been under it and tapped on the starter, cleaned The battery connections, put it through all gears in case it wasn't all the way in park. Iv had no starting issues with this truck before. although Iv only had it for like 3 weeks.

Help me please this is my DD so as of now in bumming rides to even work on it

I have searched and have not seen the same issue

 

[AdamDude04]

odds are a its the starter or solenoid (located usually next to the battery).

I recomend getting a new solenoid..they are cheap, which is around $10-20 IIRC.

I got a new starter/noid for under $100 for my Bronco.

 

[AdamDude04]

odds are a its the starter or solenoid (located usually next to the battery).

I recomend getting a new solenoid..they are cheap, which is around $10-20 IIRC.

I got a new starter/noid for under $100 for my Bronco.

 

[jehusafat]

OK I'm going crazy I stopped at a relatives house for about 30 min. and when I went back outside I turned the key and it acted like a dead battery. So I went home and got a different battery that I know is good, and charged. When I put the 2nd battery in it I have a good reading on my ammeter *sp, the radio turns on, all lights work, but when I turn the key the starter doesn't do anything no clicks, nothing, we tried to jump it as if it wasnt getting enough juice. To no prevail. I have been under it and tapped on the starter, cleaned The battery connections, put it through all gears in case it wasn't all the way in park. Iv had no starting issues with this truck before. although Iv only had it for like 3 weeks.
Help me please this is my DD so as of now in bumming rides to even work on it

I have searched and have not seen the same issue

try replacing the starter solenoid and see if that works. also quick question when you turn the key does the power turn off when trying to start the engine if so you may need to replace the ignition switch or the ignition cylinder where the keys go.

 

[AdamDude04]

try replacing the starter solenoid and see if that works. also quick question when you turn the key does the power turn off when trying to start the engine if so you may need to replace the ignition switch or the ignition cylinder where the keys go.

That happends to my new truck; The truck would try to turn over..battery was dead. Lights came on, and I could jam out with the radio. Just didn't have quite enough cranking amps to turn the motor. Perhaps your battery doesn't produce enough power needed in order to start your truck?? My Bronco couldn't jump start my new truck..but my new truck can jump my bronco because of the power output difference

 

[93preranger]

try replacing the starter solenoid and see if that works. also quick question when you turn the key does the power turn off when trying to start the engine if so you may need to replace the ignition switch or the ignition cylinder where the keys go.

power to the radio cuts out but the dummy lights and everything stay lit

hey thanks guys I figured starter but you guys and a buddy of mine said solenoid so I'm gonna try the solenoid tomorrow

 

[AdamDude04]

What year/model truck do you have? Those fine details will help out big

 

[93preranger]

89 bronco 5.8/C6

 

[93preranger]

OK changed out solenoid for a new one and it didn't change anything, starter works because, with the key in the ON position I can arc the two posts on the solenoid and it will start. Could it be a broken wire? or.....?

 

[skrap420]

i cant remeber which wire it was but the same thing happend to me, i pulled the steering column apart and there was a yellow wire in there that was all chewed up (where it hinges to go up and down) when i got it open i just spliced the wire in there and it worked fine after that.

 

[Broncoholic]

Check to see that the starter is getting a good ground.

 

[bbs_jeff]

Check to see that the starter is getting a good ground.

A similar thing happend to my 94 351W, it was the wire from the solenoid to the switch on the fender. It was bad, so it wouldn't power the solenoid. it's a smallwire. easy fix if thats it.

 

[br0nco95]

not sure if you got your truck started yet, but it could be a bad connection between your battery and battery cable. Either the 12volt or ground side. if you have a volt meter, meter your battery directly at the posts and get the reading, then measure the voltage on the cables themselves. if they are the same, thats not your problem, if there is a significant difference, take off your connections and clean them as well as you can. Ive had 3 cars lately that had this problem, most people overlook something this easy! hope it helps

 

[Devil Dog08]

if you decicde to start taking apart the steering coloum read how to do it first . heard many stories of the air back deploying and breaking peoples necks and many other injuries

 

[AdamDude04]

if you decicde to start taking apart the steering coloum read how to do it first . heard many stories of the air back deploying and breaking peoples necks and many other injuries

I don't think 89s have airbags..

at least mine doesnt

 

[93preranger]

Well I got it to start I ran 8 gauge wires from both posts of the solenoid thu the firewall into the cab to a toggle switch. The odd thing is that it doesn't matter which position the switch is in on or off the key works to start it.

 

[AdamDude04]

Well I got it to start I ran 8 gauge wires from both posts of the solenoid thu the firewall into the cab to a toggle switch. The odd thing is that it doesn't matter which position the switch is in on or off the key works to start it.

So basicly the switch does nothing? Sounds like you just did a lot of work for no reason?

..because if the toggle switch doesn't make a difference if it's "on or off"..... :blink:

 

[93preranger]

So basicly the switch does nothing? Sounds like you just did a lot of work for no reason?
..because if the toggle switch doesn't make a difference if it's "on or off"..... :blink:

yes basically the switch itself does nothing, but it does allow the truck to start when I turn the key. Unlike before when nothing would happen when I turned the key.

 

[Elmo]

I bet you could remove the switch that does nothing no matter what position it is in. And your truck will still start , most likely when you put in the switch you inadvertenly made a bad connection better so that now the problem is no more.