For the last two years my starter seemed to be acting up. Not always but more often than not, turning the key did nothing, not even a click. But, by lifting up on the key (or moving it around) I could always get it to start. I thought at first it was the ignition switch ($165 and no better). Next, I cleaned and tightened all the connections from the battery to the solenoid and starter. No dice. I checked out the solenoid and starter at Advance Auto and they were both fine. I even changed the transmission safety interlock switch, no better. Cleaned all the connections to the starter relay. There's not much left in the starting circuit that can go wrong.

Finally, I was looking at the ignition switch again, thinking that perhaps the mechanical portion of the switch was somehow too worn to turn the electrical contacts all the way and noticed a black ground wire to one of the bolts holding the lock to the steering column. Don't know how I missed it before. So, I backed out the bolt, shined up the head where it contacted the connection to the wire and retightened it. That was it. Starts every time now.

Hope this helps anyone experiencing this little problem.

 

wow! I think I a LOT of people have had this problem and didn't even know what caused it. I know that when I was automatic I had this same problem. Replaced, starter, ignition switch ect and cleaned all contacts and though it helped, it never fully solved the problem. The problem only went away completely when I had the manual swap done.

Congrats on solving your issue...this will probably help a lot of people out.

 

Everything in the Ignition Switch is hot. There should not be a ground wire, at least I do not recall noticing a ground wire there nor do I see one attached on the schematics. I cannot see how a ground wire comes into play on the ignition switch. Could you take a picture of this wire's placement and routing ?


Later

 

your skepticism may be warranted. Today it started acting up once more. Things were definitely better for a while though. So, I think the problem is connected with the ignition switch somehow, and tightening this connection definitely helped, I think.

I'm having problems getting a picture that is less than 14 Mb, so here's a link to photobucket instead.

<a href="http://s441.photobucket.com/albums/qq131/dndeline/93%20FD/?action=view&current=ignition.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://i441.photobucket.com/albums/qq131/dndeline/93%20FD/ignition.jpg" border="0" alt="ignition switch"></a>

 

If the other link didn't work, try this one.
http://s441.photobucket.com/albums/q...t=ignition.jpg

 

Ok, I see it. Can you trace out that wire and see exactly where it goes. I've seen every wire in an FD and cannot recall that one right off. Bottom line, I cannot see how the Ignition switch uses that wire right now.

There has been several threads on starting issues and the Ignition switch. Contacts inside needed to be cleaned. I'll check back on this one for your results.


Later

 

mine had the same issue. it would rarely turn over on the first try. when i turned the key nothing would happen. usually on the third try it would turn over and start with no problems. i installed the "starter booster" and now it turns over and starts on the first time very time. may want to try this before anything else. its only a realy and some wire? give it a shot it worked for me???

 

Pettit sold that kit, but you can make your own. It boosts the starter solenoid signal.


later

 

yeah don't buy pettits as it is way over priced. you can make your own for about 15 dollars. pettit's sells for 45 if i remember correclty

 

It's good to know a relay will fix the problem. Sort of a relay to energize the solenoid relay. But, hey, whatever.

The black wire is definitely a ground. Has zero resistance to the steering column.

 

The problem appears to be the starter cut relay. I bypassed this with a shunt wire and no more problem. Probably a new relay would have worked too, if I weren't so cheap.