Problem with Starter Relay

[Bronco89XLT]

The truck won't start with the key. If I jump the terminals on the relay it starts and runs fine. I replaced the relay but it didn't help. Battery is brand new, relay is new, batt. cables are new.

On the relay are 3 terminals, 1 to the battery, 1 to the starter and 1 small wire which I assume is a signal wire from the ignition. I tried to meter the small wire while starting the truck and got 0.00 volts.

I am thinking that my problem lies there. Any suggestions on troouble shooting this further?

BTW, 1989 Bronco XLT 5.8L Auto

TIA!

 

[Shadow_D]

There are 2 wires to check.

1) is the wire you are referring to. Check the fuse and go back farther on the wire to check for voltage.

2) Check the small wire on the starter making sure there is NO corrosion of any kind. You may want to replace the terminal on that wire and try again.

 

[Seabronc]

It sounds like your neutral safety switch might be open. The small wire goes from the ignition switch on the steering column to the neutral safety switch and then to the relay. It supplies the voltage to pick the relay.

Diagram attached.

Good luck,

>-

 

[remercroft]

I'M HAVING A SIMILAR PROB. MY '76 EB WOULD CRANK IN REVERSE AND NEUTRAL ONLY, BUT NOW IT WILL NOT CRANK IN ANY GEAR. THERE WAS SMOKE COMING FROM MY STARTER SILINOID. THE WIRES ON IT LOOK FINE AND THEY ARE THE FUSIBLE LINK KIND. SOME SAY THE NEUTRAL SWITCH MIGHT BE BAD. ANY WAY TO CHECK IT BEFORE I BUY A NEW ONE. HELP IT'S DRIVING ME NUTS. (

 

[Bronco89XLT]

Thanks everyone!! I thought it might be the neutral safety switch. I'll tear into it tomorrow, spent the rest of the day swapping the guts of my old tailgate into a new one!!

 

[Bronco89XLT]

YOU GUYS ARE GREAT!!!!!

It was the neutral safety switch!!!, swapped it out for a new one and it starts great!

Thanks Again. /emoticons/[email protected] 2x" width="20" height="20" />