[Tim Mundy]

All right guys, I need your help. I am here in the garage trying to start FFR#3298 for the first time. I have connected everything on the factory wiring harness that is on the car. I have not cut any of the harness yet.

The engine will not turn over with the ignition switch. I can get the engine to turn over by jumping the remote starter solenoid, but not with the switch. The clutch switch is hooked up and I am pressing in the clutch.

Help me get this baby running tonight. I'll wait right here and see who can help.

Thanks,
Tim

 

[Tim Mundy]

Haven't heard anything yet. Maybe you need more information.

I am getting power to the computer, my dashlights come on and the fuel pump works. I seem to have the power I need. The engine just won't turn over with the ignition switch.

HELP!!

Thanks,
Tim

 

[RacingRob]

Stock ignition switch?
Jump the clutch switch, may not be engaging.
RR

 

[Tim Mundy]

Yes, stock ignition switch for now. I'll try right now to jump the clutch switch.

My idea is to get everything hooked up and get the car running, then I will start removing circuits I don't need.

I'll get back with you and let your know if it worked.

Thanks,
Tim

 

[Mike Mondie]

Tim,
heres a good thread, maybe it can help

http://www.ffcars.com/cgi-bin/ultimatebb.cgi?ubb=get_topic;f=1;t=006317#000004

 

[Todd]

I would check the wiring to the starter solonoid as well and the solonoid itself. You can jump the car at the solonoid even if it is bad. Does it make any clicking sound when you turn it over from the key?

Make sure your solonoid wire is conncected to the solonoid. The top skinny post in between the two bigger posts. If it isn't hooked up then your car will not turn over.

But I always start at one end and work my back.

 

[Tim Mundy]

Okay, tried jumping the clutch switch. Did not work. Still will not turn over. It's got to be something simple. The harness is in great shape with no modifications at this point. My donor had 31,000 miles and I painstakingly labeled everything. I've got everything hooked up that I can find.

Could it be that I have missed a ground somewhere?

 

[TX 66]

The solenoid must have a good ground to function.

If you can jump the solenoid and get it to crank then I am guessing either poor ground to the solenoid case (mounting screws) or a bad solenoid.

 

[Whitby Motorcars]

Tim,
Man you are close sounds like solenoid to me. Come by the shop tomorrow and we'll figure it out.
Jeff

 

[Classicjerry]

Tim,
Maybe the wire from the solenoid to the starter is on the wrong post of the solenoid. I mistakenly did this when I took some of my wiring apart and that created the condition you mention. I believe that later harnesses did this with the higher torque starters. Good luck with your problem. Jerry

P.S Another great day today in Mich. Got to drive to work in my baby.

 

[paul burchett]

The tranny harness must be hooked up. Power to energize the starter relay goes through the tranny harness even if the donor was a manual tranny.

 

[SPEED FREAK]

Tim
Get it started yet?

 

[bk347]

Is the harness from an automatic car? Maybe the neutral safety switch.

 

[ACE]

Tim,Check to see if your neutral safty switch is adjusted correctly. It's stop on the shaft might need to be moved up to engage the ignition switch. I hope it's a simple fix Tim.

 

[Tim Mundy]

Thanks for the replies. I did not get it going last night. I got a little frustrated and decided to polish on the overflow canister. I'll try again tonight.

I stopped by Whitby Motorcars and got a few pointers. Jeff and Guy are always a big help.

Keep the suggestions coming. Someone asked if the transmission was a automatic. The car is a manual with the original manual harness.

I'll let everyone know when I get it running.

Thanks,
Tim

 

[Odrapnew]

I'm not sure what, if any, differences between the 86-93 starter solenoid, but my 85 has one wire comming off from a small post on the side of it. This post is to send a signal to the solenoid to let current pass through to the starter.
If your car has this wire and post, check that you are getting power to it when you turn the key to start.
If no power, then it can be a number of things.
If there is power the solenoid is probably bad.
Just one thing you can check.
Good Luck, Nick.

 

[Mike Brasfield]

Tim...make sure you have the battery cable to the starter relay hooked up right. The starte is "hot" all the time. The + battery cable will go to the starter relay. You then run another cable off the same + side directly to the starter. From the other side of the starter relay you run a 10 guage wire to the spade switch on the starter solenoid. When you turn the ignition switch it should engergize the starter and turn over the engine.

Good Luck

San Rafael Mike

 

[stang8s]

Lets get our terminology right here. The solenoid on a stock ford starter is on the starter. The thing on the fender that you are all calling the solenoid is the starter relay.

 

[stang8s]

SR Mike- that is not correct, your starter would run constantly if wired that way. The starter cable goes on 1 side of the relay and the + bat on the other. 12v to the small wire in the middle will close the relay and energize the starter.

 

[baumann]

Let me toss out some ideas:
1) If you can jump the starter relay at the relay, don't worry about the ground there - obviously it's ok. (I assume it cranked when you jumped it there that is.)
2) My used (and abused) donor had one of those lovely used car lot "key-cards" in the ignition circuits. Basically little more than a fancy jumper in the the clutch safety circuit in my case, none the less - did your donor have such a beast, and if so - did you remember to bring it along, or at least patch around it?
3) Is your harness well seated into the keyswitch? Loose connections there are the bane of all starting systems
4) If you've got someone that can help, check for voltage at the relay enable wire with the key in the start position.

Just some ideas