Re: When It Rains, It's Dead!

[John Hofstetter <hofs@xxxxxxxxxxxx>]

On Thursday, June 12, 2003, at 07:14  AM, Binder@domain.elided wrote:

> Just a quick follow-up to my earlier posting:
> I notice that when I turn the key, the ammeter pegs to the "D"ischarge 
> side.
>
> Later & thanks,
>
> --Pete
Pete,

The ammeter would only show the current flowing through the ignition 
switch and the under dash relay, and one might assume that this means 
that the Delco solenoid is bad, or the starter is defective, causing a 
large amount of current being directed down to the S terminal on the 
Delco without accomplishing anything worthwhile.

This is certainly a possibility, but is not necessarily the cause of 
the effect.  Running a jumper from the battery to the S terminal tells 
you right away  where the problem is. If the starter works then, the 
cause is up in the ignition switch/relay area and would be cured with 
the Ford solenoid installation. If the starter still doesn't work, then 
the problem is the Delco solenoid or the starter. Your problem is not 
the neutral safety switch as indicated by the ammeter discharge.

John