Spark At Solenoid

JBronco · Sep 15, 2004

Guys got another question I have 88 bronco 351w EFI and it sometimes has a problem with ingnition. When i turn the key the soleniod will click and the power will just cut off completly even the radio looses the time and radio stations then after aboiut 5 secs the power comes back on but if i turn the key again i get the same result. Now I noticed that when it does this there is a spark where the hot battery cable goes to the Solenoid and there is alot of other wires attached to the same post. I had this problem before and all i did was wiggle the wires around and jerk on the battert cable where it connects to solenoid and it started then i put a new pos battery cable on and it worked for a long time but now its up to same old tricks and tugging the wires isnt helping at all it just Sparks and power goes out any Suggestions Thanks

JBronco

Seabronc · Sep 15, 2004

Well, first I would take the nuts off and clean the contacts. If that doesn't fix it, get a volt meter and see if theere is voltage at the other nut which has the cable to the starter. If there is, your starter may be shorted out. One way to see if it is the starter is to leave the starter cable disconnected and turn the key. See if you lose the clock then.

Goood luck,

>-

Justshootme84 · Sep 16, 2004

I would try changing out the solenoid. I go thru 2 or 3 a year. Get one that has a lifetime warranty, though, so you only have to pay for it once.

Broncoholics · Sep 16, 2004

Sounds like the solonoid is toast or the battery is bad. Check the ground at the battery to frame make sure its tight. IF it goes to the engine make sure the engine is grounded to the frame.
Clean up the contacts on both the solonoid and starter and tighten them down.
Or you have too many wires cause high amperage.

STLKIKN · Sep 17, 2004

Like Broncoholics said, go through ALL your connections between the battery and the motor/ chassis. Remember that a good ground is just as important as a good positive connection. It sounds like you have a poor connection on the battery side of the solenoid.
Go one step further when you replace the solenoid, buy a higher amperage, continuous duty one.
Find your local Warn winch dealer, ask them for a solenoid from an 8274 solenoid pack. It will look exactly like the one currently in your truck, but it is wound differently for higher continuous draw situations.

sweepersrgr8 · Sep 19, 2004

Pulling on the wires correcting the problem/arcing is a sign of loose/dirty connections.

Go with Seabronc, and disassemble all connections, clean well, replace connectors as needed, and reassemble, making sure every thing is tight. Any wires with a green, black, white color should be cut back to clean shiney copper.

tagto138 · Sep 20, 2004

i had a lot of problems like yours on my 93. turns out the the gound cable was internally shot. it grounds engine and frame in one shot but is hard to find with the factory fitting. reccommend two seperate cables,one from eng to frame one from battery to frame, i found a lot of things working better including radio after that.