Starting problems

[Neil Cartwright]

Hi All.
I have just tried to start my '66 convert with limited success. The car starts cranking and fires up as soon as I connect the battery whether it is in Park, Drive, Neutral or any position. It will not turn off unless I disconnect the battery and I can hear the starter whineing under the car as it will not disengage. Any helpful advice would be welcome as I am unsure where to start looking first - maybe a duff starter motor, poor starter relay or neutral safety switch, or something simple like a bad earth.
Thanks in advance.
Neil.

[Joe Van Datta]

This problem could be caused by
Bad starter relay
Bad starter switch
Bad neutral start switch (or out of adjustment)
Good luck

[SCUMDOG]

I have had the same problem on my 'bird (and other older Fords) at times.

It seems to be when I do not have a fully charged battery, the rest of the time it is OK.

[dans65]

I would change the starter relay

[Joe Van Datta]

It would seem that you are getting voltage to the starter relay all the time which would indicate a bad ign. switch.

[bowserhound]

I drove my 65 the other day for the first time in a year and everything was roses until I tried to turn the car off. It would not turn off! I got out in disgust and slammed my door, and it shut off. Guess I have either a loose wire or a short somewhere in the collumn. damn, always something.

[Neil Cartwright]

I have replaced the starter motor and the ignition switch, luckily I had them in my garage! Now to find a starter relay - I will get this to work eventually.
Thanks to everyone for all the advice, it is appreciated.
Regards, Neil.

[SCUMDOG]

You mentioned that your 'bird would start 'in any gear' - it might pay you to check your start inhibitor switch (or whatever you call it).
Mine had been by-passed by the previous (Mexican?) owner and I could start my 'bird in any gear.

[jer-wright]

I am staring at this very problem on my 1965 390 powered T Bird.

When I first got the new motor and wiring all hooked up, the girl would'nt turn over. The Neutral safety switch (I didn't know what it was at the time) on the firewall would click.

The friend that was helping me said that I probably had the I (ignition Brown) and S (start Red/Blue) wires mixed up on the starter relay.

After switching them the Bird would turn over with the key on. Then with a clunk the battery died... for good. I had to replace the brand new battery completely.

I then replaced the starter relay thinking that was the problem. Now it starts as soon as the positive cable is hooked up.

After looking at this thread, I'm thinking the neutral safety switch on the firewall has been cooked by me switching the wires.

I have been double and triple checking the alternator and other wires to be sure before I continue. My guess is still the neutral safety switch.

I will update this thread as soon as I have it figured out, I hope this may have helped direct your search.

If you get some answers, please post them here and I'll check in tomorrow.

Good hunting.

Jer

[SCUMDOG]

Don't know about '65 birds but on a '66 the relay on the firewall is for the power windows, nothing to do with the neutral safety switch which is at the lower end of the steering column down near the the brake-pedal.

BUT I still doubt that's your problem, seems to be more than just that, I'd get an auto-electrician to checkit out.

(Or maybe somebody on this site knows what the problem is)

[dans65]

Your correct with the relay for 65 as well, on the firewall is the window relay. I still would be checking your starter relay(solenoid). I would bet that cures your issue. Try a known good one though as I have done the "had one in the garage" deal as well and usually the reason I have one is because it was junk from something else

[dans65]

Neil. did you ever get the car going. Another one of ours did the same as yours today, it had sat all winter. Anyway gave the starter relay a coaxing tap and it was cured. I will replace the solenoid in the am.