no electrics

[texas03042]

this morning the 95 xlt 2.3 auto started on the second try- first was just a click. at lunch it took several try with clicks before starting. again after work. stopped at parts store to buy fender mount relay. had to use a screwdriver to get going to get to the house/tools. same thing at the house.
changed relay- nothing no start, no lights, no horn. will crank if I use the screwdriver on the fender relay.
have fully charged battery. have power to relay. have continuity from relay to load center.
what's next?
already told my coworker to find another way to work-I cant drive in the dark w/o lights

 

[alwaysFlOoReD]

Clicking at the solinoid usually means a bad connection. Double check your grounds AND the positive cables. There can also be corrosion under the plastic covering the cable.

 

[adsm08]

Sounds like you put some wires on wrong.

 

[texas03042]

attack of dumbass

yep, was sitting with a cold one pondering the problem when I realized I had put the power distribution lead on the cold side of the solenoid.
out into the dark with a dying flash light long enough to swap wires-and feed the mosquitos. still no starting-earlier I put the old solenoid back in, thinking I was going to return the new one 'cause that wasn't the problem-but now I have lights and buzzers and all.
daylight will see me putting the new solenoid in- again. and hopefully off to work.
thanks for the input and help
dav