Truck wont start

[High7echRedneck]

Hey guys,

So a couple days ago I went to start my truck for about the 5th time that day and when I did I got nothing. The dash lights come on, the blower works, and my lights etc work. Ive tested the starter (it works), I replaced the batteries which were stock factory batteries with new Motorcraft 750cc's, and the issue doesn't seem to be the neutral safety switch since it wont start in either neutral or park.
I'm lost; the only other bit of information I have is that I am able to get the starter to crank when I bridge the poles of the starter relay on the inside of the wheel well on the passenger side of the engine compartment.

IDEAS???

[95dieselsmoke]

Are you getting the wait to start light when you cycle the ignition?


Sent from my Autoguide iPhone app

[High7echRedneck]

Yes, the wait to start light cycles appropriately. Is it possible that the starter relay is the issue? or am I looking at the ignition switch perhaps?

[madpogue]

If you have an assistant, put a voltmeter on the small wire on the starter relay and have your assistant turn the key to START. If you get voltage, then the ignition switch, neutral safety, all the wiring upstream are good. Also, you should get voltage at all times on one of the big terminals on the relay, and voltage on the other big terminal only when someone turns the key to START. If that's all true, then the relay is working, and it's probably a wiring problem. If you don't get voltage at either big terminal, check the wire from the battery to the relay. If you do, but you don't get voltage at the other big terminal with the key in START, then the relay is the suspect. You can try bypassing it by putting a big screwdriver across the two big terminals.

[High7echRedneck]

I am able to bypass the relay, I will have to try those other steps as you mentioned. From that point do you have any tips on isolating either ignition or neural safety as the culprit?

[High7echRedneck]

well I gave in and had the truck towed to my mechanic. In order to tow it the driver had to start it via bridging the starter relay to turn it around. When my mechanic called me this afternoon he told me that he couldnt find anything wrong with it and it was starting for him every time now I'm just mad that nothing seems to be wrong after it wouldn't start up for me for the last 5 days....

Thanks for the help gents, always appreciated!

[High7echRedneck]

New development: A large part of the issue seems to be that the mechanisms in the steering column are being worn out. As such the shifter never really fully engages into park. Mechanic is going to be taking out my steering column and rebuilding it. I can't believe that the Ford puts parts in there made of pot-metal... what garbage... The rest of the truck is a tank, why skimp on such an actively used portion?

PS new set of motorcraft 750cc's are a huge improvement on my starts!!!