Please help, won't start

[Randy6675]

I am a newbie to this group, and hope to get some help. I have a 86 Bronco II, 2.9L, A4LD. I hadn't used the truck for a few months, and went to start it, and nothing. So I charged the battery overnight, same thing. Put on a different battery, still won't start. By not starting, what is happening is all buzzers and light work in the run position, but as soon as I turn the key to the start, there is a clunk, which I assume is the starter relay closing, and then nothing. The buzzers and lights stop working. Have to disconnect the battery to get the buzzers and lights back. I have checked the alternator, its okay. Checked the starter motor, it was bad, so I replaced it. Replaced the starter relay. Checked the ignition control module, its okay. Cleaned the grounding points for the ground cable and for the grounding straps. With the new starter motor, I jumped directly from another vehicle, and it turned. I am pulling my hair out here. Any ideas? Thanks in advance.

Randy

 

[Bully Bob]

Doesn't that model have a fusable-link..?

Did you try a remote starter button ( I make mine) ..?

Meaning the key-switch could be faulty

Just some thoughts....

 

[Randy6675]

It has 2 or 3 fusible links, none of which appear charred. I will check to see if power is going through them, as I haven't done that. I guess I was thinking that if it was a fusible link gone bad, the system would not reset by removing the battery cables, and then reconnecting them, but I could be wrong in that assumption.

Also, have not tried a remote starter. I wil try to rig up something. One thing I was thinking about was to put the key in the run position, and then use another vehicle to directly turn the starter motor. If it stops raining, I think I will try that this evening.

Thanks for the ideas.

Randy

 

[Bully Bob]

"----Also, have not tried a remote starter---"

I've made them from a "push-button" starter button fr. auto parts store.

I've made them fr. boat key switches & the like. B)

I just add wires & alligator clips.

They prob. sell them at parts stores

 

[BLADE262US]

A bad ground will do that too it will have a bit of a connection till the sudden inrush of current then looses its connection , When you change the battery you are disturbing the connections which could account for the next click then dead . Check them all it has to have a good ground to the engine block to complete the stater motor circuit /emoticons/[email protected] 2x" width="20" height="20" />

 

[Randy6675]

Thanks for the replys.

Blade, I thought it was the ground also. But I have pulled the ground cable completely out, and cleaned (degreased and sanded) every contact. Did the same thing on the ground straps from the head to the firewall and from the chassis to the bell housing.

BB, I checked the fusible links, and there is power past them, so they are good.

Last night, I disconnected the starter cable from the solenoid, turned the key to the run position, and used a second battery, grounded throught the ground cable of the main battery, and attached the hot to the starter cable. It started and ran fine. But when I try the same thing, but just connecting a lead from the first battery directly to the starter cable (i.e. bypassing the solenoid), the starter will not turn. Aaaaagh!! (

Randy

 

[Bully Bob]

If that's the case, the bat. that started it could be dropped in the slot & it should start.

Take all batteries to AZ or the like & have them charged ...then load tested.

I'll bet there's a bad cell in the works somewhere..!

Some cables rot under the plastic cover as well...the ends can be fine.

I've seen relays that were so baked......they would "click" but no contact.

HTH

Bob

 

[Randy6675]

The second battery that started the truck was actually the one that was in the truck when this stuff first started. I have a load tester, and both batteries have tested out fine. Additionally, I have turned on the headlights and checked for voltage loss, and it was less than a 1 volt drop at the battery that is currently in place.

I have seen positive cables corrode internally, but can't say as I have seen this in negative cable. Have you seen it. If so, I guess that could still be a possibility. But again, when I connected the second battery, I just ran a jumper from the neg. end to the neg terminal of the first battery, so it was being grounded through the old cable (hope that makes sense).

Could the neutal/park switch be playing a role here? Or the ignition switch?

Randy

 

[Randy6675]

Oops, I missed the thing in your post concerning the relay. I put a new relay on after this stuff started. It went on at the same time the new starter was installed.

Randy

 

[Bully Bob]

"---neutal/park switch be playing a role here---"

Possible

"---ignition switch?--"

Yes....I mentioned this early on...that's why I use a remote key to by-pass those systems 'til I isolate the prob.

 

[Randy6675]

I am such a dumba$$!! The positve cable looked virtually new. Since it was cheap, I went ahead and replaced it, and now everything works fine. I sliced the insulation off the old one, and sure enough, there was a fair amount of corrosion inside. Seems like I always look for the hard stuff first. Dumb, dumb, dumb.

Thanks for the help, guys. I truly appreciate your time and willingness to respond.

Randy

 

[Bully Bob]

"The problem is always the last place one looks" :lol: /emoticons/[email protected] 2x" width="20" height="20" />

And thanks for posting the results...others (with like prob.)

will appreciate that....as I do.

B

 

[360 brII]

I am a newbie to this group, and hope to get some help. I have a 86 Bronco II, 2.9L, A4LD. I hadn't used the truck for a few months, and went to start it, and nothing. So I charged the battery overnight, same thing. Put on a different battery, still won't start. By not starting, what is happening is all buzzers and light work in the run position, but as soon as I turn the key to the start, there is a clunk, which I assume is the starter relay closing, and then nothing. The buzzers and lights stop working. Have to disconnect the battery to get the buzzers and lights back. I have checked the alternator, its okay. Checked the starter motor, it was bad, so I replaced it. Replaced the starter relay. Checked the ignition control module, its okay. Cleaned the grounding points for the ground cable and for the grounding straps. With the new starter motor, I jumped directly from another vehicle, and it turned. I am pulling my hair out here. Any ideas? Thanks in advance.
Randy

beside the starter relay you have to check the large blade type fuse is simple pull it clean the blades with some emery cloth twist them slightly and try it

 

[360 brII]

I am a newbie to this group, and hope to get some help. I have a 86 Bronco II, 2.9L, A4LD. I hadn't used the truck for a few months, and went to start it, and nothing. So I charged the battery overnight, same thing. Put on a different battery, still won't start. By not starting, what is happening is all buzzers and light work in the run position, but as soon as I turn the key to the start, there is a clunk, which I assume is the starter relay closing, and then nothing. The buzzers and lights stop working. Have to disconnect the battery to get the buzzers and lights back. I have checked the alternator, its okay. Checked the starter motor, it was bad, so I replaced it. Replaced the starter relay. Checked the ignition control module, its okay. Cleaned the grounding points for the ground cable and for the grounding straps. With the new starter motor, I jumped directly from another vehicle, and it turned. I am pulling my hair out here. Any ideas? Thanks in advance.

Randy

[/quote

eletrical overheating causes the blade type fuse to corrode and spead not the relays under the fuse block :blink: