What did I do?! 1988 Ford ranger- no start(Weird one)

[RonD]

There is no ground post on a starter relay(solenoid)

 

[NateWollzie]

There is no ground post on a starter relay(solenoid)

I meant the one that goes to the starter, then there's one that goes to the positive battery terminal, and the "s". Can you tell me what the solenoid posts are doing? Can I test this with a voltmeter? The plug that connects onto the "S" pin is reading as a ground or negative?

 

[NateWollzie]

Also Ron, I tried your test and I'm not getting anything with key on or off?

 

[RobbieD]

Can you tell me what the solenoid posts are doing?

Think about it this way. The big solenoid post connected to battery + is "power in". The big solenoid post connected to the starter is "power out".
If power, + 12 volts, is applied to the S pin, the two big posts will be connected together inside the relay, allowing power (a lot of it) to flow from the battery to the starter. If there is no power on the S pin, the two large posts are disconnected.

Also @Ron, I tried your test and I'm not getting anything with key on or off?

Did you bolt the new starter relay (solenoid) to the inner fender, good and tight? It needs to grounded (via the metal mounting tabs) in order to work.

 

[dvdswan]

I know enough. Disregard the flywheel. I was misunderstanding something.
It absolutely has to be electrical.. perfect storm, battery unhooked but didn't remove like I should have.. and somehow the engine ground post on my starter solenoid touched the positive battery terminal and so I bought a new solenoid, still no start

Let me clarify, I know enough to assume it's electrical I'm not completely dumb when it comes to engines but I'm also not a Ford master mechanic either lol. Everything was fine before this tho

It had me scared how you jumped from one to the other. I wasn't putting you down either, just want to make sure your level of knowledge. You can lead a horse to water but you cant make it drink kind of thing.

So to be clear, you only changed out the headlights, horn, and plugs on the passenger fender wall. You then connected the PDL and PW wires to the solenoid and got sparks?

 

[NateWollzie]

It had me scared how you jumped from one to the other. I wasn't putting you down either, just want to make sure your level of knowledge. You can lead a horse to water but you cant make it drink kind of thing.

So to be clear, you only changed out the headlights, horn, and plugs on the passenger fender wall. You then connected the PDL and PW wires to the solenoid and got sparks?

Yes I was changing the wiring harness to swap to the power windows/locks and my positive battery terminal somehow touched the power out on my solenoid..
Also, I was not aware that the solenoid must be grounded via the plate on the back... I'm going to have my battery tested and get a new starter then tighten down that solenoid and I will let you guys know! Thanks a bunch

 

[dvdswan]

Before buying any parts, bolt the solenoid to the fender wall where it goes. Just to be sure it looks similar to this...

 

[NateWollzie]

Before buying any parts, bolt the solenoid to the fender wall where it goes. Just to be sure it looks similar to this...

Mine does have the "I" pin but it's the same yes. Alright I'll give it a shot! Would a not grounded solenoid cause a no crank situation?

 

[RobbieD]

Would a not grounded solenoid cause a no crank situation?

Yes. 12 + volts from ignition switch to the S pin energizes a coil, creating a magnetic field which closes the contacts to connect the large posts together. If the other end of that coil isn't grounded, that won't happen; the circuit can't be completed.

In other words, no ground pisses off the genies that are inside everything electrical, that makes them actually work.

 

[NateWollzie]

Yes. 12 + volts from ignition switch to the S pin energizes a coil, creating a magnetic field which closes the contacts to connect the large posts together. If the other end of that coil isn't grounded, that won't happen; the circuit can't be completed.

In other words, no ground pisses off the genies that are inside everything electrical, that makes them actually work.

It started with a new battery and the tightened solenoid

 

[RobbieD]

It started with a new battery and the tightened solenoid

Good! The genies are happy again.

 

[NateWollzie]

Yes lol only until they aren't happy again... Which is only a matter of time with my truck lol.. I'm slowly piecing it together.. thank you guys again, Ron, Robbie and Swan thank you! Super silly fix lol I thought I toasted it

 

[NateWollzie]

Hey she is running strong, just wanted you say thank you, it seems I never sent my last message expressing gratitude for those who replied.. it's greatly appreciate.. definitely something silly.. not bolting the solenoid to the body... Lol thanks guys!

 

[RobbieD]

Glad to hear that all is well, and thanks for letting us know that you got it straightened out.