Ignition not cranking the engine (only click is heard at starter)

[MH77280Z]

7 minutes ago, siteunseen said:

Here's the basic grounds that should be cleaned and shined up. It doesn't take too long, an hour at the most, and really helped my EFI 280.

https://atlanticz.ca/zclub/techtips/electricalconnections/index.html

I can get these done tomorrow. Thanks!

[MH77280Z]

Installed a brand new starter and same result. When I use key to start the car there is only click heard under the passenger side relay panel. Seems like voltage is not getting to the yellow ignition wire at the solenoid.

With remote start the starter works just like my old one. Seems like starter is not the issue.

Where to start guys?

[Zed Head]

There is another device on the Start circuit - the cold start valve.  Maybe it's drawing too much current.  You could unplug it and see what happens.  It's the one at the thermostat housing with the large hex base.  There's another small one with the same injector style connection but it's the coolant temperature sensor.  Don't unplug that one.

Edit - actually there's the switch, the thermotime switch, and the injector.  One has a heater in it and the other has the injector coil.  Unpluggng the switch at the housing takes both out.

 

Edited February 3 by Zed Head

[w3wilkes]

Since you've eliminated the starter and it starts fine from using the "hotwire" method. We know that when you turn the key to start you hear a click in the passenger footwell it sounds like it's not between the key switch and the footwell. I'm wondering if it's a bad relay in the footwell? 

[Zed Head]

I think the accessory ignition relay is over there.  And if I recall correctly it's in the leak zone.

Edited February 4 by Zed Head

[Zed Head]

It's in the circuit too.

On page EF-25 of the 76 FSM.  I've lost the ability to paste an image.

 

[Zed Head]

[Captain Obvious]

This is a no crank situation when hot, on an automatic. Other than the obvious (wires, fuses, and connectors, etc) here are the components involved:

Ignition switch
Ignition relay
Starter relay
Inhibitor switch
Starter

The starter and ignition switch have been replaced recently. Doesn't guarantee that it's not the problem, but hopefully unlikely.

[Captain Obvious]

There is mention of a click when the key is turned, even when the starter does not engage. Can we get some clarification of the location of that click?

In the original post, it was said "I just hear a click at the starter" and then later it was described as "click heard under the passenger side relay panel".

Can we narrow that down to either a) at the starter itself, or b) over by the passengers feet?

[MH77280Z]

The click is coming from the  passenger side relay panel. Sorry for the confusion. I have not checked voltage at either starter or ignition relays either. I was planning to bypass the inhibitor switch first as it is a bit easy with just shorting the two wires?

[Yarb]

Is this a standard or auto transmission?

[MH77280Z]

3 minutes ago, Yarb said:

Is this a standard or auto transmission?

Automatic Transmission