No starter operation, my engine will not crank over why?

Good morning.

Make sure the connection is good from the solenoid on the fender to the starter motor itself.

Then check the wire at the solenoid on the starter. The little wire should have power with the key in the start position only.

If it does, then you need a starter motor. If it does not then we need to do some checks at the relay.

Roy

Hi Tigersgrrl. Welcome to the forum. Unplug the red wire with blue stripe from the starter relay. Use a test light to check for voltage on that wire when the ignition switch is in the "crank" position. This guide can help us fix it

https://www.2carpros.com/articles/starter-not-working-repair

Please run down this guide and report back. caradiodoc

Instead of just throwing parts at it, which will get you nowhere, why don't you do some testing to find out where your problem is.

Here is the diagram you will need to do that.

It's mounted on top of the steering column.

Hello,

It sounds like the starter went out but to be sure here is a guide to confirm the issue.

https://www.2carpros.com/articles/starter-not-working-repair

Please run down this guide and report back.

Ford used three different versions of starting circuits. If you have a solenoid on top of the starter motor, with a big fat battery cable and a smaller second wire attached to it, the solenoid on the inner fender is just being used as a simple starter relay, not as the actual solenoid like they used in previous years. You will see there is no fat cable bolted to the second large terminal on it. Because of this, there are three versions of that solenoid / relay on the inner fender and you must use the correct one. Did this problem show up before you replaced any parts or only after you replaced them?

Start by unplugging the small red / blue wire from the relay. Connect a grounded test light to that wire, then see if it lights up when you turn the ignition switch to "crank".

If I may jump in here, it sounds like it could be the neutral safety switch. here is a guide on how to test it.

https://www.2carpros.com/articles/how-a-neutral-safety-switch-works

Please let us know what you find so it will help others.

Best, Ken

You have to be sure the battery has a full charge, first. If the battery is down, you can't do any testing. Turn on your headlights, turn key to crank, any reaction from the headlamps? If they go out, usually the battery or cables. If they stay bright, no reaction, there is an open circuit to the starter, should be two hot wires at the starter with key in the crank position, use a voltage tester. You need to be sure the tranny is in neutral, wheels blocked, functional e-brake set. It wouldn't hurt to have a helper sitting in there with foot on the brake. You don't want to accidently crank it with the tranny in gear.

If the starter won't crank? Check the starter circuits. Any testing at the starter, make sure the tranny is in park or neutral and the parking brake is set. Could be issue with neutral switch or clutch switch. You could try a jumper wire on the load side of starter relay, to see if starter will crank. In the diagram, the load side of relay is the line with the arrowhead on it, When the relay is energized that arrowhead moves to the other terminal. Like I said, make sure the tranny is out of gear.

Good morning,

Check the clutch switch on the clutch pedal. It may have been damaged.

I attached a video from you tube since I could not find a picture for you.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fBCiFlqcA3I

I attached a procedure for you as well.

Roy