Went out to start car yesterday, turned key all lights radio etc. came on as usual. but when turned to position III the starter did not crank! I checked for codes and found none, I checked fuses visual and with ohm meter all check good. Checked power to starter hot side 12.57 volts, had my son turn key to III while checkin for energizing solenoid no voltage on relay side. Swapped relays still nothing. Took battery out and had tested at Auto Zone and was found to have bad cell bought new battery and still would not crank. No power is reaching the starter with ignition turned to III but I did start the car by turning key to II position and jumping across the starter. Started up and ran fine. But after shutting down would not start with the key only start if I jumped the starter contacts. I have put a remote starter switch on the starter and zip tied it to the frame under the hood so I can drive the car but would like to fix the problem properly. Any suggestions? Thank you in advance. I have read multiple post and have been unable to find the solution.

 

The starter motor has a large solenoid mounted on it's side which must close

to provide power to the motor.

Sounds like it is not closing and maybe has failed.

 

The physical action, with pre-engaged starter motors, (as this one is), is that the solenoid moves the starter pinion into engagement with the engine, and then switches in the supply from the battery to the motor so the starter can turn the engine over.

 

Thanks for the replies, Power is not getting to the selinoid, thats why i put a a start switch on the solenoid to by-pass. But what is causing the starter switch to not function properly with the key.
Will a key that has lost its programing to the car cause the starter relay to by cut out of the loop?

 

I hate when I read a post and never find out what the solution was. Well I'm afraid this one will remain a mystery. Ive been starting the car by using a remote start switch I had installed and zip tied to the firewall under the hood. after I would shut the car off id try starting with key only. Today it started working normally again. Im going to leave the remote starter hooked up in case it starts to act up again.

Thanks to everyone who replied.

 

Hi b787,

A couple of possibilities come to mind:

1. An intermittent problem with the security transponder in the key or the passive anti-theft system transceiver or its antenna; or

2. An intermittent problem with the ignition switch itself.

Perhaps others will have thoughts on these possibilities.

Please keep us informed if there are further developments.

Cheers,

Don

 

b787,

I believe the starter relay is R10, which is one of the 'permanent' relays soldered to the Front Fuse/Distribution control board. You can test if the relay has failed by measuring if you get power at connector EC41 pin 1 when someone turns the key to position III. If you get full power there, jump Fuse 19 to a 12v source and see if the starter turns.

If that is the case either the relay or the board is your issue.

(The above is from memory so look at the schematics to double check for the correct pin and fuse)

 

Thanks the suggestions. If or should I say win it happens again Ill have more things to look at.

Cheers

 

I had an identical problem with my wife's 2002 Ford Sportrac. Using AutoEnginuity's Ford expansion module, I pulled a code of B1681 which translated to the PATS system not being able to communicate with the transceiver. The transceiver was bad. It is a device that recognizes the ignition key and in this particular car is inside the ignition key lock cylinder. This device actually disables the starter from turning via the starter relay. I had verified this fact by tracing the electrical diagrams and using PowerProbe to force the starter to turn on.

Something to start researching on.

 

Hey B787,
I am experiencing the exact same issue on my XJR.
can you provide more detail on how you rigged your remote starter switch?
Thanks!

 

Hi Blackjack,

Sorry just saw your question, I bought a remote starter switch at the local autoparts store and took off the alligator clips that came with it and put on loop connectors and connected the 2 wires one on the battery alternator side of the starter and the other on the solenoid. The 2 are side by side. I zip tied the switch to the body under the hood. I turn the key to #2 position and push starter button underhood to start the car. Hope that helps.

 

Thanks! I jumped the starter yesterday with the key turned. Seems like I have a definite PATS issue. The fuel would not come on to start the engine.
I will have to have keys made and programmed. Hate having an issue that not a DIY.

 

This should be a first for this forum. I've been using a remote starter that I placed under the hood to start my car. I have a friend that repairs electronics and he agreed to take a look at the car. after testing out the relay and wires to the fuse box. He found no voltage to the fuse box with the key turned to the #3 position. Next was to test the voltage as it comes out of the key switch when getting under the dash he discovered that someone had spliced the wires and ran them to a aftermarket GPS remote kill device. We don't know if the previous owner had killed the starter or if the wires had a bad connection. We just removed the device respliced the starter wire and the Jag starts up with the key now.