Starter Solenoid?

[fpearson]

Got to the gym yesterday morning, pulled the key out of the ignition on my '97 B2300 manual transmission and the engine kept running. I pulled the fuel pump relay and went to do my work-out. I came out and pop-started it, went to work. When I got home I parked the truck downhill on the street and intended to troubleshoot but realized I'd lost my multimeter so I did what I could without it. When I short the posts on the solenoid with a screwdriver, the starter motor runs but the engine doesn't turn over. Since doing that effectively bypasses the starter control and ignition circuit, based on the Haynes manual wiring diagram, I assume this means that I have a discontinuity in the starter control circuit and/or a bad solenoid. I swapped out a bunch of relays in the engine compartment fusebox (driver side). There is no descriptive label on the cover and I have no owner's manual so I don't know which is the starter relay or if it's even in that area but every time I tried a new combination, I never heard the solenoid click so it doesn't seem as though the starter relay could be the problem. I pulled out the keylock cylinder and it is suspect because of the whole pull the key out keep running thing. The key lock cylinder seems to have alot of slop in it and I don't feel bad about $40 for a new one, however, I am suspecting my starter or a bad ground at the coil I've took a cursory look at all the grounds I can find but I guess I need to hand over hand all the wires and check all the connections but I'm assuming I'm getting at least some voltage to the post because the starter is running. I guess I don't know the ignition switch (in the steering column) or the clutch interlock switch is good either because I bypassed the control circuit by shorting the posts but I know I have a problem with the solenoid or starting circuit so I should start there. I have a habit of backing into parking spaces at the top of hills which has saved me for getting to work but I am due for u-joints and I cringe every time I shock the drivetrain like that...ha ha! Any other thoughts?

Thanks in advance.

 

[fpearson]

I guess it would have been smart to mention that I couldn't shut the engine off nor could I start it with the key. Sorry for leaving out that crucial detail!

 

[modelageek]

my guess is the key cylinder and or ignition switch

 

[martin]

does your starter have a solenoid attached or is it one of the earlier models without?

 

[modelageek]

does your starter have a solenoid attached or is it one of the earlier models without?

he has a solenoid on the starter. that being said I dont undestnad why anyone is thinking the issue is the starter or the "starter contol circuit" the truck would not shut off when he took the key out. that has nothing to do with starter or the the control circuit. it is most likely the cylinder $50( he did say the key was screwed up) or the ignition switch $20................it takes about 10 minutesw to change the lock cylinder!

 

[fpearson]

Thanks all for your help so far. I swapped out the key lock cylinder and the truck starts right up now, but I can still turn the key to the "off" position and remove it with the truck running, as much as I've fiddled with it, I cannot shut the truck down with the key in or out of the ignition unless I stall it or start pulling relays. I guess I'll start looking at the ignition switch in the steering column or possibly a sticky relay? The steering column switch looks like it's got those star screws holding it in there, anyone have any idea what size they are?

 

[modelageek]

Thanks all for your help so far. I swapped out the key lock cylinder and the truck starts right up now, but I can still turn the key to the "off" position and remove it with the truck running, as much as I've fiddled with it, I cannot shut the truck down with the key in or out of the ignition unless I stall it or start pulling relays. I guess I'll start looking at the ignition switch in the steering column or possibly a sticky relay? The steering column switch looks like it's got those star screws holding it in there, anyone have any idea what size they are?

I though of a sticky ecu relay also, however i just don't think that is it. They are only $5 though. I think there is a rod or something that connects the key cylinder to the ignition switch I wonder if that is acting up or maybe it is the ignition switch for $20

 

[modelageek]

also I dont know the size of the strar/torx bit. here is a link for a ford owners manual it might e the same layout in the distribution box https://www.fleet.ford.com/maintenance/owners_manuals/default.as

 

[fpearson]

I did swap out a switch, I'm easter-egging because it's easy at this point. The problem is, I can't see where the "rod" is. There is a slot in the bottom of the steering column structure but it looks like the rod has turned on its side or something because all I see is solid metal, I can't see where it attaches to the ignition switch rod (on top of the switch). I think I created that problem when I pulled the switch but I guess the next step is to take the steering column apart to get to whatever linkage is inside there. I guess for now I can leave the ignition switch hanging below the steering column so I can put it in the "run" position to pop start and get to work. I won't get much done tomorrow as I have a race after work but I'll post an update when I can. Thanks for all the help so far.

 

[martin]

It sounds like the switch is the problem.