Starter wont turn over

[xokia]

So this 1988 SE v6 the starter wont turn over. The starter was recently replaced a couple years ago and the truck is rarely driven.

It had turned over earlier in the day. But I went out to try today and it made some clicking noises then went caput. I charged up the battery so battery is fully charged. I tried using a multimeter down at the starter. Starter main wire is getting voltage. The 2 wires that go to the selonoid I assume one should be 12V when you click the key. I get 1.2v and 0 on the other wire. What should these be and is there a fuse that goes to them or some other connection I can check.

[89'HBV6]

I wonder if your ignition switch is having issues. I've also seen new starters fail, shortly after installation.

Got any contact cleaner? Clean the contacts on the solenoid and the starter. Might even clean the switch and the plug at the end of the switch... but wait for others to chime in before taking those last 2 steps.

[dvdswan]

Clean the battery cable connections on both positive and negative. Ensure both sides are free of dirt/corrosion, and tight.

If the cables are bulgy on the ends just replace the whole cable.

[xokia]

No issue with the battery cables. The ignition seems to be fine I measured the back of the ignition with a multi-meter. Problem seems to be elsewhere. Has me stumped.

I suspect that the 2 wires that go to solenoid need to be energized when the key is switched to the start position so I will need to trace those back and find where the problem is located.

[cadillacdude1975]

Manual transmission? If so, the rubber plug on the clutch safe switch has probably crumbled. It will not start if that is what happened because the ECM still sees the clutch as not pressed.

[xokia]

Originally Posted by cadillacdude1975

Manual transmission? If so, the rubber plug on the clutch safe switch has probably crumbled. It will not start if that is what happened because the ECM still sees the clutch as not pressed.

It's an automatic. I was thinking Park safety switch or something.

Anyone know what voltage I should be seeing on those two wires that go to the starter solenoid? Wish I could rig up some kind of jumper to manually test it out. I guess I could put a spade plug on some wires and try to manually climb under there and connect up to the solenoid. But is it just +12V and ground? I have 2 wires going to the solenoid.

[Cusser]

Originally Posted by xokia

It's an automatic. I was thinking Park safety switch or something.

Anyone know what voltage I should be seeing on those two wires that go to the starter solenoid? Wish I could rig up some kind of jumper to manually test it out. I have 2 wires going to the solenoid.

Big wire to the solenoid should be 12 volts positive ("hot").


Smaller wire should be 12 volts positive WHEN the key is in the "Start" position AND the neutral safety switch (a contact switch) is "closed" by the transmission being in park or neutral.


One way to test battery and starter in your instance is to use a short piece of wire - best if there's an inline fuse in this wire - put transmission in park or neutral (be sure), and use this jumper wire to momentarily touch 12 volts positive from either the battery or from the large wire/terminal on the starter solenoid to the small terminal on the starter solenoid. BE AWARE THAT THE ENGINE MIGHT CRANK, SO BE AWAY FROM ANY ROTATING ENGINE PARTS LIKE THE ENGINE FANS. NOTICE THE CAPITALS.

[Cusser]

Minor edit to above post

[dvdswan]

Park/neutral switch won't even engage the starter if its activated. No click, no spin, nothing.

[89'HBV6]

Originally Posted by dvdswan

Park/neutral switch won't even engage the starter if its activated. No click, no spin, nothing.

Yea, check what he said... ^ ^ ^