Washed out engine won't start.

[fisher3000]

I recently purchased a new (to me) Bronco and wanted to clean it up... so I washed out the engine also and ran into a problem... it won't start back up. After I sprayed it off I turned on the key to leave and there were a few click click clicks. Then again, then nothing. Checked the distributor cables were connected and then I waited a few days hoping it would dry out. I went to start it again... the battery was dead. I hooked it up to another vehicle with jumper cables and the click click click came back, but no startup. I tracked down the clicks to the solenoids. It has two, I'm not sure if it's suppose to or not but it does. I replaced them both and charged the battery for ~10 hours, came home and tried the ignition key again. Nothing. No clicks, no power to the horn or radio, etc. I was getting that before when I was getting the clicks. I took the battery to a shop and they checked it, it was 100% charged and I sprayed battery cleaner and brushed down the connectors and tried again, nothing.

Does anyone know what else I should check? Totally lost.

 

[needabronco]

Is your starter jammed up somehow?

 

[Pa PITT]

GO over your grounds......I'll bet that is it .....noone ever gives grounds enough credit ..

 

[fireman1749]

yeah check the ground wire that goes from the solenoid down to the block by the starter. Also check the starter wire. Take a couple of pics and send them to me at maggiefd1749@yahoo.com and i will post them on here for you maybe that will help

 

[mr incredible]

also check your fuseable link ,,

 

[firehawk]

You didnt fill the motor with water did ya? It could be hydrolocked.

If you only sprayed out the engine compartment then you probably got something wet that shouldnt be.

 

[lonesouth]

Not sure..I jsut pressure washed my engine, top down, no problems...but then I garuntee I have less wiring than you. I never have gotten the clicks with a low battery, just poor starter output. Also check to make sure you got the solenoids wired back properly and that they are securely mounted to the body(they ground through the solenoid mount to the body). I would look at why you have no power to the radio or lights as the primary issue, and no start after you've gotten lights back. Best of luck.

If you are new to automotive repair, the best piece of advice I can give is to do your homework and fix it yourself. Though you can get it fixed by someone else, you will not understand how they fixed it, why it works, or how to fix it if it happens again. Not to mention that it will cost a lot more. Keep in mind that in MOST situations, you will not mess anything up worse than can be fixed. If it is already broke, might as well make an attempt yourself, but above all, do your homework. Lessons learned....

 

[Mark]

Your solenoid is grounded to the body of the bronco with the mounting bolts. Make sure they are contacting the metal of the innerfender well.

 

[sprinksbeme]

This is maybe to simple but take the battery cables of and clean water can stay there a long time. instant corrosion. Jumping and charging is difficult if the connections here are bad.
marty

 

[fisher3000]

Fixed, thanks to your help.

Thanks to you all for your replies. When I took of the solenoid the bolts broke so when I installed a new solenoid, I didn't re-bolt them. Taking your advice I bolted them down and the little sucker started up. Thanks so much! Thanks so much!

 

[sprinksbeme]

Your solenoid is grounded to the body of the bronco with the mounting bolts. Make sure they are contacting the metal of the innerfender well.

The Winner!!!