Ignition Switch Issue

[freedombro]

Greetings All-

The ignition in my '86 345 w/454 is acting up. I have to keep engaging it quickly until it eventually fires up. It doesn't click or make any noise and then eventually it just starts. The battery is fine, it seems to be in the connection. I was told there is a park sensor on the transmission that controls the power to the starter. I moved it in and out of park and to neutral, and that works occasionally. Any thoughts on my best course of action to fix the problem. Thx!

[mayco]

If it were me I would buy a new ignition switch to replace the 32 year old unit. They go bad, and while you're in that electronic mood, might want to replace the headlight switch also. They have a very high load and are prone to wear out. Neither are high dollar and better to do in your driveway than in a remote spot on the road. 32 years of wear on those contacts in both switches.....that would be my course of action.

[HowieE]

If you have another key try it as I have seen that cause the switches not to engage.



This may help

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DpkDW2zUCms

[Waipio Rim]

After replacing the starter and battery, I think that I finally fixed my staring problems by removing, cleaning, and tightening the ground strap from the left rear of the engine block to the frame. If I’m wrong, the switch will be next. Anybody have a part number?

[Boom Sounds]

I would try cleaning and re-connecting the starter solenoid and grounds. Disconnect batteries in advance.

[chiefair]

ACDelco D1406A Professional Ignition Switch https://www.amazon.com/dp/B000C9Q1GQ?ref=yo_pop_ma_swf

[Waipio Rim]

Originally Posted by chiefair

ACDelco D1406A Professional Ignition Switch https://www.amazon.com/dp/B000C9Q1GQ?ref=yo_pop_ma_swf

Thank you, just ordered one.

[freedombro]

Thanks Everyone...I will report back!

[Waipio Rim]

I was wrong about the ground strap fixing my problem. After replacing battery, starter, and ignition switch I could not find the problem and took it to a shop. They found a bad relay that had been wired into the signal wire to the starter solenoid, it was located near the air cleaner. The shop had not seen this setup before, could not find a replacement, and fixed it by jumping the terminals in the plug to the relay. Don’t know whether this was the Ford hot start fix, but it gave me a lot of grief. At least now I have a mean green starter.

[HowieE]

Not sure I would leave the relay bypassed unless you know what the relay was for.

You can buy general purpose 30 amp relays from Billy Dog for about $7.00 each. Consider getting one and removing the Hot Wite Job.

[bkahler]

Originally Posted by Waipio Rim

I was wrong about the ground strap fixing my problem. After replacing battery, starter, and ignition switch I could not find the problem and took it to a shop. They found a bad relay that had been wired into the signal wire to the starter solenoid, it was located near the air cleaner. The shop had not seen this setup before, could not find a replacement, and fixed it by jumping the terminals in the plug to the relay. Don’t know whether this was the Ford hot start fix, but it gave me a lot of grief. At least now I have a mean green starter.

Steve,

If it had large battery cables going to it then that would be the Ford hot start relay.

OEM Ford starter solenoid, I've heard the chinese knock-offs are junk.

Brad

[Waipio Rim]

Brad,

It doesn’t look like that, it’s an old 4 pin in a silver metal case with no markings. Heavy wires, maybe 6 or 8 gauge, but not battery cable. Will post a photo when I can, but I am not looking hard for a replacement.

The awning rail is on but I still need to cut off the rivet heads. I would ask to borrow your shaver but we have wandered off to Prince Edward Island in Canada. Thanks again.

[bkahler]

Originally Posted by Waipio Rim

Brad,

It doesn’t look like that, it’s an old 4 pin in a silver metal case with no markings. Heavy wires, maybe 6 or 8 gauge, but not battery cable. Will post a photo when I can, but I am not looking hard for a replacement.

Where do the 6/8 guage wires go?

The awning rail is on but I still need to cut off the rivet heads. I would ask to borrow your shaver but we have wandered off to Prince Edward Island in Canada. Thanks again.

Glad you've got the rail back on!

You can trim the rivet stems with nippers and then use a dremel with cutoff wheel to cut the stems right down the top of the rivet. After that you can dress them with a file. Time consuming but does work.

Brad

[Smartstream]

Is this the type you have? https://www.ebay.com/itm/NEW-12V-150...wAAOSwH3haC7~-

[Waipio Rim]

Will try to post a photo. The guy at the shop said that he has worked on a bunch of P30’s and this was a first.

Brad, I bought a Dremel just for this purpose, need to get to a campgroud with 110.

[bkahler]

I don't recognize that solenoid. It's definitely to small to handle the starting current of a starter motor. Reminds me more of something in the emissions system.

[WayneG]

That looks like it is the relay between the ignition switch and the starter solenoid. this image shown mine in the upper right corner.

[Waipio Rim]

Originally Posted by WayneG

That looks like it is the relay between the ignition switch and the starter solenoid. this image shown mine in the upper right corner.

That is it. Not sure why a relay is needed there, does not seem like a heavy draw on that side of the solenoid.

[WayneG]

Originally Posted by Waipio Rim

That is it. Not sure why a relay is needed there, does not seem like a heavy draw on that side of the solenoid.

I think it was an afterthought when they found the ignition switch could not handle the starter solenoid and the solenoid that bridges the house & chassis batteries during starting