I had to have the transmission rebuilt, and while doing this they replaced the steering column for some unknown reason. Now I cannot get power to the S wire on the solenoid. Placed a tester in it the other day and actually had power for a split second and then it went off. If I immediately tried again, no power, but if it sat for a few minutes, it appears it reset and then the same thing would happen. I believe it to be a bad relay or fuse, but can’t find a good diagram to trace the red/light blue wire that is going to solenoid.

 

since the transmission was rebuilt I think a good possibility for your problem is the starter neutral switch either not connected, out of adjustment or inoperaive, i assume it is an automatic trans.

 

I did some more testing and this is where I am at now. I checked the ignition switch under steering column. Upon moving it to the run position, my tester light lit up for about 1 second and then went out. If I tried it again, no light. After sitting for awhile, it would light again. So then I loved the tester to the “S”wire and had wife hold test light there and had same result. I feel it is a fuse or relay somewhere, but I cannot find anything that shows where the relays are located. If I jump the solenoid, the truck runs and shifts fine. Thanks for the help.

 

Just a follow-up......Bad ignition switch located under the steering column. Replaced and starts fine now.

 

things are very different these days, when I was maybe 14, my dad left on business for a couple of weeks. He took the keys to the only vehicle in running shape with him. A 56 Mercury Turnpike Cruiser, what a majestic beast.. Simple fix was to run a wire from the + side of the coil inside the car and another to the + post on the battery. Then pull the wire off the horn and put it on the starter solenoid. twist the ignition wire together, hit the horn ring to activate the starter, and head to the lake to catch some bass for supper. Really was the good old days.

 

that is a great fix!! if only it would pass inspection.....

 

In north east Mississippi in the mid 60's if you mentioned "inspection" people would have said "what the hell are you talking about". Now a days, with steering wheel locks and damned old computers, ECM's, red neck engineering is a lost art.

 

^ Funnnny!

So true though...

 

I remember the old Chevys that had a starter button on the floor next to the gas pedal, and the old Buicks that would crank the starter if you turned the key on and simply stepped on the gas. It wasn't all that long ago when dimmer switches were a button on the floor, and we had an old Ford where the windshield washer was a floor pedal you had to pump with your foot. I also miss front and rear door vent windows, we used to call them wind wings. Back then, the turn signal lever was only that, no wiper or lighting controls on them.

 

My first car was a 1948 ford 4 dr sedan, it had a key lock for the steering wheel, a toggle switch for ignition, and a starter button on the dash near your right knee.