Electrical Fun

[yellowoctupus]

I found when I remove the starter solenoid wire (from the ignition) my truck jumps up in idle, and when it's put back on, it drops back down. I took readings at different states of running truck, can anyone make sense of them??? These voltages were measured at the ignition switch grey/pink wire which should be along the same line as the starter solenoid trigger wire. (BTW, this is in reference to the last 6mo of my intermittent running posts with my 88 2.9 Ranger..I wouldn't think I'd have voltage at this wire unless the truck was being STARTED, but these were all very steady (non flucuating) voltages)

Running @ ignition (solenoid wire on)
In Park = 0.071V
In Gear = 14V

Truck not running @ ignition (solenoid wire on)
In Park ign off= 0V
In park ign on=~8V
In park ign 'run'= ~8V

Truck Running (solenoid wire off)
In Park = ~8V

Even if you don't know the answer to these voltage issues, could anyone give at least the last one a try, it's real easy to measure, fire up your truck, pull the wire off the starter solenoid (above the pass. inner fender) and measure the voltage between that and ground (neg batt terminal) I would appreciate any help on this one!!!

 

[Psychopete]

Even if you don't know the answer to these voltage issues, could anyone give at least the last one a try, it's real easy to measure, fire up your truck, pull the wire off the starter solenoid (above the pass. inner fender) and measure the voltage between that and ground (neg batt terminal) I would appreciate any help on this one!!!

I will run some of the tests for you on my '88, but cannot perform all due to the state that my truck is in (basically I can't run it). PM me if I forget by Saturday night.

Pete

 

[shadetree]

These voltages were measured at the ignition switch grey/pink wire which should be along the same line as the starter solenoid trigger wire.

According to Chilton's, the start wire from the ignition switch should be a red/lt blu wire. It goes to the neutral safety switch, then to the starter relay on the fender. It does not show a grey/pink wire. There should be 0vdc with the ignition not in the start position.

Running @ ignition (solenoid wire on)
In Park = 0.071V
In Gear = 14V

If you have 14v at the starter fender relay, the starter is going to be turning.

Something is not right with the voltages. They are too erratic. Double check your meter. Make sure it is set on the dcv scale. Make sure the grounds are complete. Make sure the meter cables are in the correct positions. Speaking of grounds, make sure they are solid from battery to engine, and battery to body. A bad ground can cause all kinds of weird stuff.

The fender relay grounds thru the mounting screw. Make sure this ground it solid to the battery negative.shady

 

[yellowoctupus]

Yeah, so I was actually on the correct (red/ltblue) I either have really bad eyes, or it was too dark outside at 10Pm when I was working on this. I can have 14V at the ignition when the truck is in gear, as the neutral safety switch is open. (Weird, but I think it works according to my 1991 wiring diagram...)