Calling All Electrical Gurus

[jimoshel]

and Cruiser54. About 2 weeks ago I picked up a 1986 XJ, 2.8, AX5, 4WD, 250K. $200. Drove it 30 miles to get it home with absolutely no problem so I figure it's worth $200, whatever. PO was so disgusted he would have gave it to me. Gratis just to get it out of his yard. Problem is the only way to start it is by removing the starter wire from the starter relay and touching it to the bat B+, or any hot spot. Inconvenient. Fires right off and runs great. PO had by passed the ign sw and installed a push button on the dash. It didn't work. I took 3 starter relays and checked all 3 in a '87 MJ. All 3 worked. Not one works in the '86. Checked the wiring from-to the relay. The ground id good. The wire going to the starter is good. The wire from the bat is good. Everything individually works. Does not work when all hooked together. Took a wire from bat+ direct to Sol. on relay. Nothing. Direct wire from bat neg to relay ground. Nothing. Any ideas? It's got nice rust dent free bod and clean interior and runs great so I kind a hate to part it. :dunno:

[Geonovast]

Broken connection inside the socket?

[jimoshel]

Which socket? Not counting the Bat post, there are 3 wires from the relay. Ground, Ign and sol. I have checked all 3. good. I have bypassed them. Still no go.

[jimoshel]

OK. I got the dern thing. Was thinking about having a moderator delete the whole thing because I'm embarrassed. The previous owner had crossed 2 wires and I never caught it until an hour ago. But then leave it. It's a good lesson on never assume anything and especially DON'T OVERLOOK THE OBVIOUS!  Apparently the ignition switch wasn't adjusted properly. He wired a push button into the starter circuit and got the IGN and SOL wires crossed. Anyway I got it straightened out, got the ign sw adjusted and it works OK now. I'd better sell it now or the GF will drive it and want it. It's a nice XJ and worth the trouble to get it going. :thumbsup: