Posted by gmharris [71.105.36.254] on Saturday, July 05, 2014 at 14:34:23 :
In Reply to: Re: Starting problems - 61 WM300 posted by jerryinidaho [64.234.49.226] on Saturday, July 05, 2014 at 01:09:46 :
If it's a corroded or bad connection on the battery cables (including the ground) or a battery problem, that will usually show up in the headlights dimming significantly or even going out when the the starter is tried. That's why I do this as a test first.
For Ken, it may be easier to think of the electrical system as two independent systems: the battery, battery cables and starter as one system. And, the low-voltage wiring and ignition switch as the second system. The solenoid acts as an interface between the two.
If you take a jumper wire from the battery to the solenoid as Chris Case suggested, and the starter turns over the engine, then that circuit is good. If not, you have narrowed down the problem to that circuit.
The low-voltage side is even simpler. If you get voltage to the ignition switch, but not out to the solenoid when the key is turned, the switch is bad. If current leaves the switch, but the solenoid does not activate, the problem is the wiring, or occasionally, the solenoid itself.
The starting system on the FFPW is as simple as they come. Mentally breaking down the system into its two constituent circuits makes trouble shooting easy.
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