JohnnyK

Where is this box? What is this box. I thought it was a relay clicking away, but you say it's giant.

rustang5.0

It sounds like you have a broken or loose wire between your ignition switch and solenoid. I have a 91 5.0 with the same set up. i put a push button going straight to the solenoid to fix the problem.

wickedangelstar

Ok, I took the battery back and got a new one. Installed it and it started right up. I removed the positive cable and it still runs. Thought I was smart until someone told me that that test is not reliable anymore. Something about the newer cars having computers to bypass this. (1991 a newer model?) But anyway I am back where I started I guess. The box is only about the size of the fuse box. That's not giant to me but I'm the one asking for help so what do I know? Assuming it is a loose wire, how do I run it straight to the solenoid?

rustang5.0

take a piece of wire and go from the positive battery termanal and touch it to the power wire on the solenoid with the key on if there is no click then there is a bad wire

wickedangelstar

Just so I'm sure I understand. If the car turns over without a click then there is a bad wire from the ignition to the starter. If the car does not turn over then the starter is bad. If the car turns over but there is a click, does that mean the wire is good?

rustang5.0

if the car turns over with out the click then there is a bad wire in between your ignition switch and your solenoid. with the solenoid jumped if there is a click then the solenoid is bad.

wickedangelstar

Got it. Start with click, bad wire. Start with no click, bad solenoid. If it is a bad wire, is it something I can do with a chilton manual?

wickedangelstar

Another question. Is there another way to check the alternator short of taking it in and paying someone?

rustang5.0

if you have the key on and you jump the solenoid the car should start with no click. if you have the key on and you jump the solenoid and it clicks then you have a bad solenoid.

rustang5.0

i didn't even want to get involved with the wireing so i hooked up a starter push button going from the battery to the solenoid but you got to have the key on for it to start.