Starter will not engage?

Tiny
CHRIS JOHNSON6
  • MEMBER
  • 2002 MERCURY COUGAR
  • 4 CYL
  • 2WD
  • MANUAL
  • 190,000 MILES
The car listed above is a c2 coupe. I thought my starter was bad, but I took it off and tested it to be good and the constant power to the starter is good. It's the wire that engages the starter when the key is turned on that does not get any power once the key is turned to start the car. So, I need help troubleshooting this problem. Please and thank you.
Sunday, September 4th, 2022 AT 12:12 PM

1 Reply

Tiny
AL514
  • MECHANIC
  • 4,793 POSTS
Hello, this being a manual transmission, have you checked the Clutch Switch on the pedal? It grounds the Starter Relay. I'll pull up wiring diagrams, but you can try bypassing it for testing purposes, just make sure the vehicle is in Neutral and the parking brake is on. Only bypass it if it is a 2-wire switch, but the ECM provides Ground for the Starter Relay, but the Clutch Switch closes the circuit for starting. It's a safety feature.

https://www.2carpros.com/articles/how-to-check-an-electrical-relay-and-wiring-control-circuit

https://www.2carpros.com/articles/how-to-use-a-test-light-circuit-tester
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Sunday, September 4th, 2022 AT 12:40 PM

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