Starter issues

[boosted231]

My car was stolen awhile back and recovered. When I got it back I had to replace the battery cables (they were cut). I replaced the cables and put a battery in the car and tried to start it with the rod on the steering column (since the column was busted up). No luck with starting the vehicle. I got a column from a member, Thanks Daniel Ray! My friend and I went through the column and converted it from column shift to floor shift with a new coller and installed a new ignition switch and neutral safety switch. We installed the column and plugged everything in tried to start the car and nothing getting to the starter. When I turn the key on the idiot lights light up and the fuel pump comes on but the starter will not crank. I pulled the starter and had it tested and it was fine. There is a blue wire going to the neutral safety and it has power to it. There is also wiring that goes to the starter with a couple of fuseable links that look ok from the outside, don't look burned up. There is not much room to work with around the starter wires. If anyone could steer me in the right direction on what to check I would sure appreciate it. I'm about ready to pull my hair out and I don't want to be bald yet.
Thanks, Kevin

 

[salvageV6]

The smaller purple wire at the starter/solenoid area should read +12 from the IGN switch when cranking or turning the key to start on the column.

Be careful how you measure this, I use a long insulated clip lead to a meter outside the car to read the voltage just in case it cranks over or starts I ain't under there near the starter and engine.

 

[Jeasen]

Test to make sure you have power before and after the fusable links with the key in the crank position, just because they look ok on the outside does not mean the are good.

 

[boosted231]

I am getting no power to the small purple wire that bolts to the solenoid when the key is in the crank position. Any ideas on where this wire leads to or what to check? Thanks

 

[salvageV6]

From the starter it goes back to the C100 large wiring connector under the wiper motor.

From there it goes straight to the IGN Sw. if there's no theft deterrant system.

If the car has the factory alarm it goes through the theft deterrant system starter interrupt relay contact first.

 

[acoen]

Check the neutral safety switch. Sounds like you are getting voltage to it, what about out of it? If this switch is bad you will not get voltage to your starter with the key in the crank position. May just be out of adjustment. Try starting it in neutral or another gear. Push up on your gear shift while trying to crank her over.
Just a thought.....HTH

 

[boosted231]

Neutral safety switch is new when I went through the column. It wouldn't start with the old switch either. Does that wire have a fuseable link somewhere? Not alot of room with the starter wiring.

 

[salvageV6]

Fusible link A runs the IGN switch stuff as well as much of the cars electronics.

If the wipers work or the fuel pump runs for 2 seconds with the IGN Key in the ON postion the fusible link should be okay.

The two red wires at the IGN switch connector goes to that fusible link and should be hot +12 at all times.

 

[boosted231]

Fuel pump kicks on, dash lights light up, I did not try the wipers.

 

[Red Regal T]

Take a test lite and probe where the power goes starting from the switch under the column as you turn the key on and to start. Try to follow it, using the lite, to the point where it is not getting the power to engage the starter. That's what I do. Sometimes I get lucky and figure out wtf the problem is.

 

[boosted231]

Does anyone know which wire this is at the ignition switch? Is it also a purple wire? Thanks

 

[salvageV6]

It's either purple or purple with a white stripe.

Depending upon with or without the factory alarm option.