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Title: smoking wire! o noes!
Post by: jncocowboyx on December 16, 2006, 07:17:18 PM

well, i have an 88 cougar, 5.0, that won't crank except by using a screwdriver at the solenoid. i replaced the solenoid, and it still won't crank, then i noticed smoke from under the dash. a red wire with a blue stripe's insulation was melting off! i figured i'd try replacing the ignition module in the steering column, but still nothing. everything else seems like it's ready to go, like the fuel pump and the dash and all, but that's about it. it's melting close to the connecter under the dash above my right footi've tried tracing it to something, but it seems to just go into the main under-dash harness. i'm gonna have to remove the whole dash to replace this thing, huh? any suggestions on what else to look for?

Title: smoking wire! o noes!
Post by: MasterBlaster on December 17, 2006, 09:58:41 AM

There's a red/lightblue coming from the ignition switch "start" terminal that goes to the neutral safety switch, then snaps onto the little terminal of the solenoid (rubber hooded connector). Does the wire smoke all the time, or only when the key is turned to "start"?

Title: smoking wire! o noes!
Post by: jcassity on December 17, 2006, 10:58:59 AM

check this out for some help also.

Title: smoking wire! o noes!
Post by: jncocowboyx on December 17, 2006, 03:14:44 PM

it only smokes when the key's in the start position. i'll try to find the neutral safety switch and see how bad the wiring is and prolly replace that too.

Title: smoking wire! o noes!
Post by: jncocowboyx on December 17, 2006, 04:15:52 PM

i found this post in another thread...

Quote from: softtouch;101164

There is only one relay you need to pick to make it turn over, the starter solenoid.
Pull the small wire off the solenoid (it just slides right off). Jumper from battery + to the solenoid terminal you pulled the wire off of.
This should pick the solenoid and turn on the starter motor.

If that works you need to find out why turning the ignition switch to start is not getting +12 volts to the solenoid.

The circuit is: Battery +, Fuse link C (16gauge orange), Ignition switch (in the start position), Neutral Safety Switch, Starter Solenoid. There are four connectors in the circuit.

The neutral safety switch and backup light switch are on the left side of the transmission. They share the same cable connector.
Do the backup lights work?

i'm thinking that my neutral safety switch is shot, because my reverse lights aren't working. i'ma try that and let ya'll know how it goes. maybe i won't have to take out the dash after all. wewt!:headbang:

Title: smoking wire! o noes!
Post by: jcassity on December 17, 2006, 09:13:22 PM

or the linkage is jacked up and your not all the way in park.

Title: smoking wire! o noes!
Post by: jncocowboyx on December 19, 2006, 03:32:18 AM

i'll check it out.

Title: smoking wire! o noes!
Post by: jncocowboyx on December 21, 2006, 02:45:52 PM

well, i replaced the neutral safety switch. it cranks now, but now my starter won't disengage. off to research!

Title: smoking wire! o noes!
Post by: jncocowboyx on December 21, 2006, 03:06:16 PM

eh. just had to hit the solenoid harder than what i was. eye fickstit!:grinno:

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Technical => Electrical Tech => Topic started by: jncocowboyx on December 16, 2006, 07:17:18 PM