Starting problems

[dart4forte]

Happened week before last. Went to the store, parked went iside for about 15 minutes and when I came out the car wouldnt start. No power at all, only got the solenoid clicking sound.

This weekend I replaced the starter and the starter relay. Still wont start at the keyed position. It will start by jumping the starter relay however when its put in gear it dies.
Today I replaced the fusible link and cleaned the wiring. Car still will not start at the keyed ignition switch. With the key in the on position I jumped the relay and the car started. Once the motor is warmed up I put it in gear and the motor dies. I did this with reverse, D, 2nd and 1st. Also dies in neutral. The contacts on the bulkhead fitting are cleaned and I put a dab of dielectric grease on the contacts. I'm now stumped on where to go next. All the wires that I've looked at are in good shape. Any ideas from the wiring experts?

 

[jrm]

have you ckd the neutral safety switch? John.

 

[Polara_500]

I think I'd worry about the ignition switch.

 

[Big_John]

If you really heard the starter solenoid "clicking" when it first happened, that would say the relay and switch are good and the starter is bad.

Since you've replaced the relay, I would make sure the relay is grounded. Good clean contact with ground and to battery are needed. I wouldn't be surprised if the new relay is bad.

You need to check for voltage from the ignition switch to the relay when the ignition switch is in "start" position. You also can check for ground coming from the neutral switch to the relay when in park and neutral.

A digital multimeter is your friend here, but you can do those checks with a test light.

Once you get it to start, then you can figure out the stalling problem. Most likely, the two aren't related.

 

[Polara_500]

Sheesh - how did I miss the 'click' when he turned to start? I'm gonna crawl under a rock for a while.

 

[dart4forte]

Well, I figured it out. Narrowed it down to the battery wire going into the starter switch. Went to the wiring diagram. Followed the battery wire from the starter switch to the bulkhead. There it stops. So, I went outside and checked the red wire under the hood.

There, I found the problem. I guess when I installed the new starter I inadvertently crossed the brown wire and the red wire. I attached the red wire to the silonoid and the brown wire to the battery post on the starter. That answers why the starter silonoid keeps running.

I'll go out in the morning and switch the wires.

 

[dart4forte]

Got er done. I did have the solenoid and battery wires crossed. It Looks like someone was in there before me because the wires were the incorrect gauge and color. Car wouldn't start via the key but I could here the tapping noise of the relay engaging. Took a looks at the starter switch connector. Several of the spades were pushed out so I took a small flat tip screwdriver and push them back in. Car now starts.

Thanks to all who provided suggestions or comment

 

[livininharrow]

sweet you figured it out.

 

[dart4forte]

sweet you figured it out.

Yep. Need to change out the Petronics dizzy next

 

[65sporty]

Good job