Ford 4600 Ignition problems

When I turn the key, the dash lights do not come on and it doesn"t even click. Shorting the solenoid will make it turn over, but it takes 4 or 5 tries to get the starter to engage. Most of the time it just whirs. So I think I have at least two problems: Does this use a bendix? Is that repairable or do I have to replace the whole starter? And does the ignition problem sound like the solenoid, or something further back?

To me it sounds like a weak battery or poor battery cable connections some place. Had to run to town today because the boys truck would not start after he got to town. I tried to start his truck and when I did it clicked once then nothing. Cleaned up the battery cable connections and it started right up

Have you checked for 12vdc (Battery+)to the back side of the key switch? Had the battery+ lug break of from the ignition switch before and had same symptoms.

Also check inline fuse under dash.

Once you fix the problem of no lights on the instrument cluster your starting problem will also be fixed.

BigWill

The ignition system is the points, condenser, coil, distributor and spark plugs, the parts that supply the spark that "ignites" the fuel. The ignition system has nothing to do with the solenoid or the starter.

The key switch controls multiple circuits. One is the ignition circuit and another is the starter circuit.

The fact that the key doesn't turn anything on or even cause the solenoid to click indicates that either you have a bad connection before or after the key switch or the key switch is bad.

The other symptom, of being hard to get the starter to engage the flywheel when you jump the solenoid could be a few things as well. First make sure that the cables from the battery to the solenoid and from the solenoid to he starter are good and the connections at both ends of both cables are clean and shiny and are connected tight, and also make sure that the ground cable from the battery is good and has clean bright connections at both ends as well, plus make sure that the battery itself is good (take it to an auto parts store and get it tested if you don't have the ability to test it yourself, it's free at most good parts stores) and fully charged and then see if the starter engages better.

Thanks for the replies. I will check the ignition circuitry.

As for the starter not engaging, it was doing this before my starting troubles. It's been doing it a long time. It always takes several tries to get the starter to engage. Is that fixable separately from the starter?

Thanks

check fuse behind dash.


on the starter.. check connections.... i might even pull it for a looksee. check ring gear.. and see wha tthe starter nose looks like