86couper

I have a 1986 with no start issue. Power to dash lights etc when key is turned to accy. No crank of starter though. No power at starter enable relay or at shifter safety switch in either D or N. Is the key switch the next thing when working back to battery? Is there separate power from battery to switch going to starter when key is turned all the way? Fuseable link? How can I test this? Could the lock cylinder be bad? At a complete loss at this point. VATS has been bypassed. Std key w/ no chip. Original key lock cylinder I think. Any help would be greatly appreciated. Thanks.

KEZ06

Have you tried the starter solenoid? Usually the culprit when ignition on works but starter won't engage.

86couper

It is a new starter. I did try to reach my hand up there (very tight spot)to put alligator clip wire on the "s" wire on the solenoid to take back to the battery to test, but I think I crossed it to the big wire and the starter engaged.

I was thinking the power went through the starter enable relay, then trough the safety switch on shifter, then to solenoid. I am not seeing power at either spot when turning key over. Measured volts between yellow(s) and green/white on enable relay. Measured power between purple and green/white a shifter safety switch. Nothing there.

billschroeder5842

Well you found it. As mentioned above the solenoid are the usual suspects. Fix your solenoid and you are good to go.

pcolt94

If you put 12 volts to the "S" terminal and the engine cranked then the solenoid looks to be OK, unless it is intermittent but the starter is new so I assume it's all good.

Just connect a volt meter on the "S" terminal and measure the voltage when the key is turned. If there is no voltage there the problem is in the start circuit of the car.

86couper

Thanks for your reply. When turning key to start:
No power with test light at solenoid.
No power at start enable relay.
No power at shifter safety switch in either D or N.

At a loss.

cdm747

This is from an 88 FSM but I believe it should be the same for yours. The only things I can see that stop you from having power at the starter enable relay would be either a bad ignition switch or the fusible link is blown.

cdm747

Picture did not come through for whatever reason.