Electrical issue

**White5.0** · 01-02-2009, 11:36 AM

Im having a problem with my car not starting when i turn the key. This is on a foxbody BTW....

when i put the key in the Start position, nothing happens with the starter, not even a click. my starter relay is fine (i am assuming, because i can jump the starter and start the car) and using a test light i was able to discover that i am not getting power to the little wire that plugs into the top of the starter relay when the key is in the Start position like i should. i dont know what i causing this.

i also discovered a wire that does not appear to be factory running from the positive battery cable in the first picture to a relay behind the dash in the second picture...it has a 15 amp fuse on it and i tested the fuse and the fuse is fine...so, what the heck is this wire for???

**White5.0** · 01-02-2009, 11:41 AM

is that wire what is powering the relay??

**Viper_ed** · 01-02-2009, 12:40 PM

Looks like that wire was put in to allow the driving lights to be run without the headlights.

**White5.0** · 01-02-2009, 12:44 PM

Originally Posted by Viper_ed

Looks like that wire was put in to allow the driving lights to be run without the headlights.

ya the fog lights were re-wired, i talked to the previous owner about it, and i think that wire is just powering that relay, but wasn't sure.

but what could be causing me to not get power to the little boot that plugs into the top of the starter relay? my fuseable links look good, but how can i be sure they are good? dont the wires look melted when they go bad?

**Viper_ed** · 01-02-2009, 12:46 PM

Is the car driveable? If so, if you can get it out to my Dad's, I'd be happy to help you fix it.

**White5.0** · 01-02-2009, 12:48 PM

Originally Posted by Viper_ed

Is the car driveable? If so, if you can get it out to my Dad's, I'd be happy to help you fix it.

not quite yet...it has no brake fluid in the master cylinder so i need to bleed all the brakes still and definitley need new tires, they are just old, dry-rotted junkers that i threw on and one doesnt hold air well

and its not inspected or registered yet lol

**Viper_ed** · 01-02-2009, 12:51 PM

Well, let me know when you can bring it up if you can't get it figured out.

**White5.0** · 01-02-2009, 12:53 PM

Originally Posted by Viper_ed

Well, let me know when you can bring it up if you can't get it figured out.

alright thanks ed....ill keep trying to figure it out and if i cant get it by the time i get my car driveable ill give you a call

**silvernotch** · 01-02-2009, 01:24 PM

did you check the shut off relay on the rear body panel?maybe check the ecu relay behind glove box and right above the computer i think it's a brown relay.I have a cousin have one go bad and his car had no power.there is also a connector by the battery that rots out that will kill the car too.

**thebreeze72** · 01-02-2009, 01:47 PM

try the ignition switch on the stering colum and check the connector also they burn up easy and are prob. oem. also did you jump the solenoid or did you just but voltage directly to the starter case itself?

**White5.0** · 01-02-2009, 08:20 PM

Originally Posted by silvernotch

did you check the shut off relay on the rear body panel?maybe check the ecu relay behind glove box and right above the computer i think it's a brown relay.I have a cousin have one go bad and his car had no power.there is also a connector by the battery that rots out that will kill the car too.

ill have to check those out....i do have power everywhere else in the car, just not to that one little wire going to the relay

**White5.0** · 01-02-2009, 08:21 PM

Originally Posted by thebreeze72

try the ignition switch on the stering colum and check the connector also they burn up easy and are prob. oem. also did you jump the solenoid or did you just but voltage directly to the starter case itself?

i put a jumper cable on the positive battery post and touched the other end to the small post on top of the relay to crank the starter