MSV was NOT the solenoid

[Gregg]

I wheeled out from MSV yesterday evening without any problems. I shut off the Bronco to say our goodbyes but when I tried to start it up again the starter didn't do anything. Short story: the Solenoid wasn't functioning. I jumped the solenoid and the the Bronco fired right up. Questions:

1. What can cause a solenoid to just stop working

2. What new solenoid recommendations do you have (part numbers :) . I don't know if its starter dependent (97 explorer with C4)

3. I read you should keep a spare solenoid in your tool box, but why do you if you can just jump the solenoid?

Thanks.

[landshark]

Buy a 90's solenoid, 96 Bronco one will work fine

1. What can cause a solenoid to just stop working
- Age, heat, bad wiring, zipties

2. What new solenoid recommendations do you have (part numbers :) . I don't know if its starter dependent (97 explorer with C4)
Buy a 90's solenoid, 96 Bronco one will work fine

3. I read you should keep a spare solenoid in your tool box, but why do you if you can just jump the solenoid?
i don't know, heard the same thing and I do.

[Viperwolf1]

I have 2 words for you - neutral safety switch. Make sure it's in park or neutral. If park doesn't work, try neutral.

You don't need the solenoid with the explorer starter. It's just a convenient place to connect all the wires you need connected there. You can get by without it but then you'll need to find a way to connect everything.

[Gregg]

Thanks for those words of wisdom. Yeah I made sure I was in Park and then tried it in Neutral. As for the zipties making it fail....too many or not enough?

I was able to jump the solenoid from fond memories of the return trip from Moab. Im sure you remember the broken shift collar so I couldn't put it in gear from inside the cab...Good times.


I was going to follow this diagram for the new solenoid. seems to make sense.

[Viperwolf1]

Good diagram. You probably have a few more wires on the battery side so just be sure to connect them there.

[Gregg]

I put the new solenoid in and it still didn't start (looks like I have a spare now). I had someone turn to start and i had a multi-meter on the ignition wire to the solenoid and it didn't register anything. Are there any ideas why the ignition wire isn't getting juice?

I've checked the NSS wires and they look good. I also made sure the pin holes were lined up while it was in neutral.

What would you check next?

[Viperwolf1]

I put the new solenoid in and it still didn't start (looks like I have a spare now). I had someone turn to start and i had a multi-meter on the ignition wire to the solenoid and it didn't register anything. Are there any ideas why the ignition wire isn't getting juice?

I've checked the NSS wires and they look good. I also made sure the pin holes were lined up while it was in neutral.

What would you check next?

See if there is voltage to one of the start wires at the NSS when the key is turned. I don't remember what color your wires are. Is there a connector down there?

[Gregg]

No single connector. I just unwrapped the tape and loom and tested each of the 4 connections. Here's a pic

[Viperwolf1]

Nice drawing. You should be a school teacher or something.

The red-blue wire is sending current to the NSS but you isn't getting current out of the NSS to the solenoid. Either the NSS is out of adjustment or its bad.

[Gregg]

Nice drawing. You should be a school teacher or something.

The red-blue wire is sending current to the NSS but you isn't getting current out of the NSS to the solenoid. Either the NSS is out of adjustment or its bad.

Yup, that was it. I already tried adjusting it and then tried starting it through all the shifts. So, I swapped in my old NSS (replaced when I wasn't getting back-up lights to figure out later that it was a wiring problem...) and the dog fired right up. I was running the new NSS for only a year or so. I wonder if water got in from the water crossings / bogs at MSV....lame.

I may try to take the broken / new one apart and see where / why it failed.

Anyhow, Thanks a ton Phil ! Its interesting that your first post said the NSS. I'm starting to think you can tell the future. Let me know what the next part Im going to need so I can order it now...Thanks.

[Viperwolf1]

You need to find me one of those cheap soft tops because it hails big here.

[Gregg]

I found this. I'll look for one that fits a Bronco. I think you have a lot of choices with color: Blue, Green, Brown, or Camo.

[Viperwolf1]

Maybe just duct tape?

[Gregg]

I found some mat tape (tapes wrestling mats together). Its clear and flexible. It'll cover the holes and cracks and will look 20% better than duct tape. I'll bring it to the B-fast unless you want to make a tech day out of it.

[Viperwolf1]

I found some mat tape (tapes wrestling mats together). Its clear and flexible. It'll cover the holes and cracks and will look 20% better than duct tape. I'll bring it to the B-fast unless you want to make a tech day out of it.

Thanks. I need to get it sealed up before some cat finds his way in and pisses in it.

[Rox Crusher]

I found some mat tape (tapes wrestling mats together). Its clear and flexible. It'll cover the holes and cracks and will look 20% better than duct tape. I'll bring it to the B-fast unless you want to make a tech day out of it.

Thanks. I need to get it sealed up before some cat finds his way in and pisses in it.

LOL !