1990 Montero ... I've got good power from a new battery, but when I turn the key all I hear is the click of relay's behind the dash ... nothing from the engine or starter though ... I thought this might be a bad engine control relay? ... or possible the solinoid on the starter? ... this has happened 3 times ... first 2, it suddenly "fixed" itself after a couple of hours (and some bad language), then worked fine for about a week ... now it hasn't fixed itself this time. Any ideas of what it could be?

Try hitting the starter with a hammer (seriously) a few times. Be careful to avoid hitting the solenoid (piggy backed on the starter).

If she starts afterwards, then you know what's wrong.

Ray

Get a copper brush, remove both battery terminals from the battery and clean both terminals and posts inside and out. Also, separate the fusible link box from the positive battery terminal and clean that connection well too. Put everything back together and try again. If you still have the problem than it's either the starter (see Offroader's post) or it could be a bad battery cable or connection at the starter.

It's not likely an engine control issue. The starter is hotwired directly to the battery along with the ignition switch.

Good luck,

Powell

Try starting in Neutral. If it works, it might be the switch, i forgot the name, that stops it from starting if in anyother selection other than Park and Neutral. Or switch may need to be cleaned. Good luck.

Neutral Safety Switch.

You sometimes need to jiggle the shifter back and forth between neutral and park.

Switch may also have come loose.

Ray

Sounds like corroded battery terminals. That's what my problem was the last time that happend. The time before that it was the starter. The time before that it was corroded battery terminals...

You've already got good advice to help with those. Good luck! <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/cheers.gif" alt="" />

Let us know what works. We love feedback! <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/smile.gif" alt="" />

Help! I'm buying a Monty that is doing the same thing. I can hear one click of a relay, then if i fiddle with the neutral switch i can get another relay to click. Nothing clicking at the starter. I have new battery and termials.

Did you find out what was causing your problem?

thanks

Mine does this sometimes. It is the starter in my case. Just give it a couple of taps and mine will start right up. The other option to think about is your computer.

<img src="/forums/images/graemlins/kewl.gif" alt="" />

To test the operation of the starter you can bypass the ignition switch, nuetral saftey switch, and everything else by running a wire from the positive terminal of the battery. You take this and jump the terminal on the starter solenoid. This is the unit that is attatched to the starter. This should start the truck right up. If it doesnt, then you have a problem with: your grounds, your starter, or your solinoid.

Just becarefull to make contact at the solinoid, and not at the starter (the bigger terminal), if you jump the starter only you will not properly engage the bendix? and you can damadge you fly wheel or flex plate.

My problem was the starter. Tapped it with a hammer, it fired up. But...it only worked once. Had to replace the starter. $180 - $50 core from AutoZone. Had it running in 30 mins. This is my first Monty and I love it. I had a '90 trooper, but the Monty is faster, smooter, and i love the bouncy seat.

Now to find some cool stuff for it.... like brush guard and roof rack!
jason in NC