Shorted starter

[nvcook42]

A couple of days ago my truck all of a sudden would start. I quickly discovered that it was because the clutch pedal switch was acting up. If I pushed the clutch all the way down it wouldn't start. If I let the clutch up about and 2 inches it would start great. So I figured I would need to replace it soon but in the meantime I could keep going along fine. Then the weirdest thing happened. I went to start it and it did but the starter motor didn't turn off. So I turned off the ignition but the starter motor was still cranking. I quickly popped the hood and disconnected the battery. Now if I connect the battery at all even with the ignition off the starter motor kicks in. Seems like the clutch switch has shorted out on me.

I am a noob at this sort of thing so I went looking for the part to replace but can't seem to find it. My truck is a 1987 Ford Ranger 2.9L V6. Can anyone point me at the correct part that could be shorting the starter motor from the clutch. Thanks.

 

[adsm08]

Just behind the battery is (or at least was) a plastic cover that covered up all the relays. The big one with the nuts and large wires is for the starter.

There are about 3 different switches, and that relay that have to close on your truck before the starter will engage from the key. That starter relay is the only part that can engage the starter by itself.

I would say that either the starter relay has gotten stuck closed, or the starter itself has shorted internally, since there is only one input unlike the later starters used on the 4.0.

I would start by testing the relay. If you have jumper cables you have all the items needed to test it.

At the relay there are two large posts with 14mm nuts on them. One has many wires, one has a single wire. Remove the single wire, it goes to the starter. There is also a smaller red/blue wire pushed down over a 3rd small post that triggers the relay. Pull it off.

Next get a headlight out of the truck, and get your jumper cables. Hook the one of the clamps to ground, battery, core support, intake manifold, what have you. Hook the other end of that cable to the center horizontal post on the headlight.

Now run the other side of the jumpers between the post of the relay you removed the wire from and either of the outer vertical posts on the headlight.


If the headlight lights up you need a new relay. If it doesn't you need a starter.

Frankly, as I think about this while I write it I am going to come down on the side of the relay being stuck, since no power should be applied unless that relay is closed.

 

[Andy D]

Try tapping the relay gently with a screw driver handle