clutch electrical

[mikie]

88 ranger 2.9. does the clutch need to be depressed for ignition spark on starting?. I am using a remote button on the solenoid to test a new engine installation and get no spark. do I need someone in the cab holding the pedal down? Starter cranks ok and I cant find anything relevant in the schematics. Key is on.

 

[Rick W]

I don’t know the real answer, but it should be relatively easy to find the clutch switch and either jump it temporarily or tie it down if it’s some kind of lever thing. If your truck starts, that answers your question. If not, you have to find somebody smarter than me…

Hope it helps.

 

[mikie]

All suggestions are welcome, thank you.

 

[Rick W]

Afterthought, you probably know this, but make sure it’s in neutral and make sure the parking brake is set, and it’s probably advisable to actually chock the wheels in both directions, so it doesn’t start in gear by accident.

 

[mikie]

Gotcha, I always need safety reminders too.

 

[RonD]

Yes, the ignition switch in START position sends 12v to starter relay AND coil, in RUN just the coil gets the 12v

If using a remote starter button just put a jumper wire from battery positive to Coil + terminal, it will back feed to TFI module

It was a hold over from the Ballast Resistor days, when there was a resistor on coil positive to reduce the 13.5volts from alternator so coil didn't over heat with engine running, it reduced it down to 8 or 9volts
But if you tried to start the engine thru the resistor it would be only 4 or 5volts to coil
So a separate wire was used that only had 12v in START for the coil, so it had a hotter spark for cold start

Ballast resistor was gone by mid-1980's but ignition switch wiring was still there until 1990's I believe

 

[Rick W]

I told you there was someone smarter than me!

 

[mikie]

Thanks, I'll get after it when the sun shines in the shop door tomorrow!

 

[RonD]

Wait a minute..................

If your key is ON(run) then coil/TFI should have 12volts
So clutch pedal would not need to be down, shouldn't matter for spark using remote start/key on

Its another issue if you don't have spark when cranking with key ON

 

[MikeG]

If you want to know whether the truck will start without the clutch pedal down, why don't you just try it????? Would take about 10 seconds to answer the question with certainty.......