More help on continuing starter problem
Thread Starter
Junior Member
Joined: Jan 2011
Posts: 3
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From: Oroville, CA
More help on continuing starter problem
Posted last week on 1999 f-150. Engine turning over without key in and locked. Went to local Kragan's and bought new ignition switch. Guy at counter told me that year truck would also do that if the firewall mounted relay (solenoid) was fried. So, bought both and carefully installed. Hooked up battery and waited. No mystery cranking so got in and tried to start. Switch worked well in all positions but now will not crank. Left it in start position and did the old screwdriver jump between large posts on relay. It started immediately and let run for 30 minutes, no problems. Later found out that there are two different switches, one for coded keys (which I have) and one for without. I bought one for coded set up . Then upon further review I noticed that some past owner has hashed up wiring . Don't know why, but numerous splices to different wires, etc. At this stage, I am tiring of the whole mess, so would like to know how to install an old fashioned starter button switch, since everything else works. Please HELP ME!! I am at my wits end on this. Any help would be grearly appreciated.
Senior Member
Joined: Jan 2011
Posts: 100
Likes: 1
From: texas
Originally Posted by Trucknutt43
Posted last week on 1999 f-150. Engine turning over without key in and locked. Went to local Kragan's and bought new ignition switch. Guy at counter told me that year truck would also do that if the firewall mounted relay (solenoid) was fried. So, bought both and carefully installed. Hooked up battery and waited. No mystery cranking so got in and tried to start. Switch worked well in all positions but now will not crank. Left it in start position and did the old screwdriver jump between large posts on relay. It started immediately and let run for 30 minutes, no problems. Later found out that there are two different switches, one for coded keys (which I have) and one for without. I bought one for coded set up . Then upon further review I noticed that some past owner has hashed up wiring . Don't know why, but numerous splices to different wires, etc. At this stage, I am tiring of the whole mess, so would like to know how to install an old fashioned starter button switch, since everything else works. Please HELP ME!! I am at my wits end on this. Any help would be grearly appreciated.
But did your truck start o-k before this ? Have you had it awhile?
Did you maybe switch solenoid wires .disconnect the battery . Then, examine the wires that are spliced. And redo those that are loose or have broken strands . Reconnect tightly.and protect the connection w/ caps and electrical tape. As long as they are clean tight , they should not be a problem, unless you had some type of elect . problem before. Either way this may help that or your current problem. Let me know if I think of anything else I'll repost.
I Voted For Bill and Opus
Joined: Nov 2007
Posts: 2,040
Likes: 9
From: Cheyenne, Wyoming
Because you have replaced both the ignition switch and the starter solenoid it has to be the hot wire from the ignition switch that supplies the switching voltage for the solenoid you need to get a wiring diagram for your truck and cheap volt ohm meter. The wire in question will be color coded so you can track it from the ignition switch to the solenoid. I don't have diagram for this year Ford !50 so I don't know if is fused or not. The bottom line there is nothing that causes people to pull out their hair more then electrical faults. The fix is usually very simple it is just finding the @#%$ thing.
Last edited by transmaster; Jan 27, 2011 at 04:49 PM.