dhickman

1987 Base model 2WD Auto, column shift, 2.4 carb. Recent rebuild of engine, truck sat for a few years. turned key to on position, all lights and whistles worked, turned to start and nothing, not even a click. I can bypass the little wire going to the starter with a remote switch, with key in run position, and truck starts and runs fine. Where is the starter relay?? I found the headlight and the emmissions relay but not a starter relay. Book does not show one but it is in the wiring diagram. HELP

4Crawler

iTrader: (3)

http://www.4crawler.com/4x4/CheapTri...l#OtherOptions

dhickman

Peeled the wire harness followed up to where it went behind the dash. no relay. Friend said it could be a nuetral safety switch issue which is on the tranny. Well this may have to go to the professionals at a real mechanics shop. Since last post I have replaced the ignition switch, and all fuses in the vehicle, still no joy.

peckinpah

Probably a longshot, but check out my thread here:

https://www.yotatech.com/forums/f116...s-work-227223/

blake.nemitz

you dont have one it works off the ignition switch. you need to run that wire to your own relay to power the starter or get a new ignition switch

blake.nemitz

look at 4crawlers post he does a good writeup

dhickman

Anyshot is better than no shot. Thanks for the help

dhickman

Well I removed the nuetral safety switch cleaned and inspected. All electrical tests revealed the switch is working fine. WOW I am at the point I am throwing in the towel and taking it in to a "real" shop. I want to thank all for the help and when I know the root cause I will pass it on.

4Crawler

iTrader: (3)

Have you tested the voltage (under load) at the starter solenoid wire?
- http://www.4crawler.com/4x4/CheapTri...shtml#EasyTest

Might be the switch tests fine with an ohm meter, but under the ~20 amps that the solenoid pulls it is not delivering full voltage. Some workarounds below:
- http://www.4crawler.com/4x4/CheapTri...l#OtherOptions

dhickman

Did not even think about the amp draw. I will do it and get back to you. Thank you for your time and expert advice.

dhickman

Thank You

xxxtreme22r

my 87 22r 4x4 has a starter relay. Even though his is 2wd he should still have one as well.

looks just like the one on 4crawlers site and right where he says it is, on the passenger side fenderwell. Somewhat next to the fuse panel.

blake.nemitz

wiping the egg off

xxxtreme22r

lol sorry blake.

dhickman

Mine is the bastard child and does not have a relay. Verified by a competent mechanic (if there is such an animal). Following 4Crawlers post and recommendation I have gotten as far as checking voltage at the solenoid with the following results: With no load, the wire that goes to the solenoid reads 12.3V when key is turned to the start position. With a load it reads 58.7MV. My battery is at 12.6V at the post and 12.6V at the connection to the starter. I am guessing I need to add a relay or rebuild the solenoid.

4Crawler

iTrader: (3)

If the voltage drops like that, there is likely no problem in the solenoid. It is simply not working because it is not getting enough current/voltage to operate. So either find out what is causing the drop or add a relay. Reason a relay works is it pulls about 1% of the current the solenoid does (maybe 0.1 amps vs. 10-20 amps) and thus the relay may see close to 12 volts, enough to turn on and close the contacts that then send full voltage/current to the solenoid.
- http://www.4crawler.com/4x4/CheapTri...l#OtherOptions

dhickman

Ok thanks, I will install a relay and report back after.

dhickman

Quick question?? Is the nuetral safety switch still a suspect even though I received voltage during the electrical test at the solenoid?

4Crawler

iTrader: (3)

Well, if you read a voltage within 1/2 volt of the battery under load, then it would be OK. If you had more than a 1/2 volt drop from the battery, then it may be suspect. Anything that sits between the battery and the starter solenoid is all a possible cause of the problem.

The idea of the relay is that you bypass most of those potential problems, all the safety features still work and allow or prevent the relay from turning on, but then the relay sends current directly from the battery to the starter solenoid.

dhickman

Well the wierd keeps getting wierder (is that a word?) I installed a relay kit by the instructions and as soon as the key went to on, the starter kicked on, oops? It seems that during the load, no load test, my assistant and I did not notice there was power there at the solenoid wire when the key was on and when it was in start position. I was at a loss so I ran a new wire from one of the wires (there were two) that went hot when the switch was in the start position. I simply put a crimp type splice on one of the wires located on the ignition switch side of the harness. Truck starts great! Only one slight Problem..... The truck will start in any gear position....I guess I have taken the nuetral safety switch out of the loop. I am batting a thousand on this one! Is there a way to get the nuetral safety switch back in the loop?