Hello,

I have a 1989 B250 5.2L Conversion that has a starter that's not turning. Battery is reading well, all of the lights and radio work, but the starter isn't turning at all. When I turn the key the headlights and lights in the van dim, I can hear the idle motor engaging and dis-engaging.

Where do I start looking? The last time this happened to me it ended up being the PCM. I have already tried swapping that out with a spare with no change for better or worse. Also tried starting it in Neutral... No deal. Somebody push me in the right direction?

Thank you,
Mike

 

First, does the check engine light light up when you turn the key?

Can you retrieve any codes by doing the key dance?
If not look to see if the fusible link to the computer is blown.
It's behind the power brake booster. It should stretch out if blown.


Also, check the connection on the 3 wire switch located on the transmission(drivers side). The neutral safety switch. Bad or no connection means no crank. They're about 7 dollars at napa.

Also the starter relay located on the firewall. Jump the two fatter wires and see if you hear a click when you turn the ignition. See if it then cranks.

Before you replaced the ECM did you look for a reason why the old one failed? Cardone says they are very unlikely to fail unless something causes them to fail. Like a short or a sensor out of whack.

My ECM failed because a wire was grounding out on the tranny bell housing.

Start there, and post back.

 

Well I posted this a little pre-mature. Thanks a ton for your detailed response land yacht. My mechanic replaced the old PCM last fall because of a no spark condition. I tested the "broken" PCM earlier this year and it worked just fine. Anyway, this was solved by replacing the battery with a large CCA model. I have been dealing with a slow battery drain and that must have taken it's toll on my battery over winter. My battery cables are old and a little corroded on the outside, I'm thinking I should probably replace those next. Where is the start located on my van? I live in an apartment and don't have any kind of ramp to get under, is it still possible to replace the cables? The positive cable is taped together with a bunch of other cables and I've been hesitant to undo that. Any advice is greatly appreciated as usual.

Thanks again,
Mike

 

The good news is that you have a back up ECM. The bad news is you bought an unneccessary part.

Corroded battery cables are notorious for causing a no crank condition. They might even be the cause of your slow battery drain. You should really replace the cables. The red one that goes to the starter and the one black ground wire that goes to a bolt probably behind the Air pump. Another ground wire should goto the firewall. Any bad connections or heavily corroded wire can cause your symptoms.

Take out the battery and clean the terminals and put it on a charger.

You should be able to get to the far end of the red starter wire through the wheel well. Jack it up, take off the tire, and remove any plastic wheel well shroud which might or might not be there. In fact I'll guess that that connection at the starter is your problem.

Take that wire and the ground wire to your autoparts store and buy new duplicates.

Also buy one of those battery terminal cleaners

The starter relay on your Van and my '89 as well as about 7 oclock in relation to the power brake booster. It is a black plastic box about 1.5 inchas by 1.5 inches.

There is an identical relay on the opposite side, which is the Auto Shut down relay. When mine failed it shuts off power to the fuel pump, but allowed the engine to crank.

But do the cables first. If they are original, they are old enough to drink.

 

That tells me to check the starter itself. That the starter motor most likely has internal short. Do you also hear a "click" sound as you turn the key to the "start position"? That should be the solenoid engaging to allow the starter motor to run.

Use a 12 volt meter and check to see if you have 12 volts to the small solenoid wire when a helper turns the key to the "start position". If so replace the starter.

 

I should read initial posts more carefully. I missed the dimming headlights part.

MAR's suggestions as to the starter itself is the most likely problem.

Can't hurt to have new battery cables though.