Starter Relay - What am I missing???

Follow along in your mind the FUNCTIONAL PATH just like a road

GROUND............NEUTRAL SWITCH SHELL............THROUGH THE SWITCH............SWITCH TERMINAL............SWITCH HARNESS CONNECTOR................(up to the relay)..........PUSH ON CONNECTOR AT THE RELAY..........PUSH ON BLADE...........RIVET...........RELAY COIL.................OUT TO THE second RIVET..........THE SECOND PUSH ON TERMINAL..................THE START WIRE CONNECTOR............THE YELLOW START WIRE

NEXT ISSUE:

A..........Is the relay clicking? IF it is clicking,.......

B..... Are the RELAY CONTACTS actually mating (rust, debri, corrosion, goo) and ARE THEY ACTUALLY conducting current?

HOW:

You already know most of the problem, you have posted So get busy and figure it out!!!

1....As suggested above hold the key in "start" and wiggle the shift lever from Park to Neutral and back. If you get a click, intermittet or complete action, then the problem IS RIGHT DOWN THERE at the transmission. Bad switch, problems with linkage alignment, bad connection at the harness connector, etc.

2....If the above test is not definitive, you ALREADY STATED that grounding the NSS terminal of the relay "removes" the symptom. So it HAS to be in the NSS wire, terminals, connector, or the switch, or the rooster comb or linkage.

So....Hook it back up "normal." Hook your meter to the NSS switch terminal on the relay. Twist the key to start. Wiggle the shifter. If the relay won't "click" (or operate the starter) NOTE what you have for voltage at that terminal

IF the relay operates normally, the voltage should be quite low, near zero, or maybe less than 1/2 volt

If the relay won't even click, AND IF you have battery voltage than you have confirmed the wire/ terminals/ connector/ switch is OPEN

Clip your meter onto the NSS wire up at the relay. go underneath, stick your remaining probe into the center connector terminal. Hold it "hard" and "whip" the wire. Any change from nearly zero resistance? IF THERE IS the wire/ connector is intermittent.

If you have a solid "near zero experience" (ohms) I would replace the switch and see what goes from there. Review THE SERVICE MANUAL on how to adjust the shift linkage.

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