'99 LSE Won't Start

[rodeovyn]

'99, LSE, Rodeo, 3.2L

Ok, my Rodeo ignition just up and died on me. When I turn the key in the ignition absolutely nothing happens. I have a good battery, alternator, new alternator wiring harness. Lights, radio etc. all work. Just put in a new Mouser relay for my intermittent wiper function.

I checked ALL the ignition fuses inside and under the hood. Checked all the wiring connections and everything is tight. Unfortunate for me I put in a brand new starter and NOTHING - it still won't start!

The only other electrical problem I have been having is with the horn, its been sticking inside the steering wheel and I've had to pull the fuse under the hood to turn it off.

I'm totally open for any help troubleshooting this problem!

[anthonyn]

Check the ignition switch. You could jump the starter terminals to see if the starter will turn while bypassing the ignition switch.

[rodeovyn]

Thanks for the reply...hmmm, how do you jump the starter terminals?

Originally Posted by anthonyn

Check the ignition switch. You could jump the starter terminals to see if the starter will turn while bypassing the ignition switch.

[amigo-2k]

did the truck ever start with the new mouser relay in?

My guess is you have a bad starter

[Gizmo42]

Its quite possible you got a bad starter from the store. I've had that alot from autozone and checkers, a couple times from napa. My boss went through 4 starters from napa before finding a good one once.

They might work fine on the test bench at the store but not in the vehicle. Their test benches put out over 1k cranking amps. I've had that happen before.

Its also possible that the starter isnt mounted exactly right and is binding. I had to redo mine several times before it didnt binde. At the time I didnt know about keeping the dowel pins from the old starter to put in the new one. I ended up having to tighten the bolt closest to the frame first. You can check by loosening the bolts about half way then try, if the starter turns then you were binding.