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Old 10-05-2015, 11:15 AM
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Default low voltage at starter

So I've had an intermittent problem- not all that frequent. It's become more frequent and I need to do something about it fast as I can't drive it with such a risk for being left unable to start it. I have a Powermaster mini starter. The issue is I get a single "click" some times and it won't turn starter. I checked voltage at the "s" wire and sure enough, it's too low. 7 volts. I've got voltage loss somewhere. I replaced battery cables with 4ga, I also replaced the auxiliary positive wire to terminal at radiator support which was in bad condition, and I replaced the ring terminal at the starter S wire. No change. I've been told to check:

Neutral safety switch
Horn relay
Ignition switch
terminal block at firewall
fuse box

any other suggestions?
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Old 10-06-2015, 07:02 AM
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That list looks good. Start at the fuse block to see what voltage you have there, it's one of the easiest places to check. Depending on results there you can either move back to horn relay, firewall connector or forward to ignition switch, neutral safety switch.

Where is negative battery cable attached to engine? Make sure you have a good clean connection there. Good luck.
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Old 10-06-2015, 10:24 AM
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Negative is connected to engine block.

Where can I find the neutral safety switch?
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Old 10-06-2015, 10:25 AM
mestorod70 mestorod70 is offline
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Did you check the s wire when it was disconected from starter.
Posible solenoid short.
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Old 10-06-2015, 12:50 PM
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It's a brand new starter and with the old starter it was acting in same manner. With only 7 volts going to S wire, that has to get resolved. Powermaster claims nothing less than 10 volts will do.
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Old 10-06-2015, 08:51 PM
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Neutral safety switch is under the dash. If it a 4 speed its white and connected to the clutch pedal, for an automatic it on the top of the steeling colum under the dash. It's also white in color.
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Old 10-07-2015, 03:02 PM
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Ok. So, if the previous owner put a shift kit in floor, I am assuming he would he have had to re-route the wires to the floor shifter?
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Old 10-09-2015, 07:13 AM
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I believe for factory auto floor shift it's accessible from inside the console, or at least the wiring is.
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Old 10-12-2015, 11:39 AM
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Update- the issue is the wires that were used to extend the neutral safety switch from steering column to the B&M floor shifter. Previous owner extended the 10ga purple wires with 14ga. And the clips on the B&M switch were very loose. I will upsize those wires and that should take care of the issue.
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Old 10-13-2015, 01:04 PM
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Good deal John, glad you tracked it down.
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