How do I test the steering column relay?

Disconnect the relay plug, find the coil terminals with an ohmmeter, and operate the relay with a 12-volt jumper wire to the coil terminals. If the relay clicks, it is mechanically operational. Check point continuity with an ohmmeter or self-powered test light while operating the relay; if the meter moves from 0 to infinity or the test light goes out, the relay is satisfactory.

How do I test the starter relay?

Connect a jumper from the battery terminal of the relay to the "S" terminal of the relay. If the engine does not crank and the relay does not click, the relay is defective.

What conditions are required to test the starter control circuit?

The left door must be closed, the gear selector in Park, and the tilt-away wheel locked down. The ignition switch must be in the Start position each time a test for power is made.

Where is the starter safety switch located on tilt-away wheel cars?

It is mounted inside the tilt-away wheel vacuum release motor, wired between the neutral-start switch on the transmission and the coil terminal of the starter relay.

Can the locking pawl be adjusted?

No, there is no adjustment to the locking pawl. If there is looseness in the cable assembly, loosen the screw retaining the cable guide at the vacuum motor, lightly pull the cable away from the vacuum motor, and tighten the screw.

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1968 Shelby GT500 Tilt-Away Wheel & Starter Relay Test - Service Procedure Pg 2

Ford steering column relay, starter relay and starter drive test procedures with ohmmeter diagram

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Service procedure for testing steering-column relay, starter relay and starter drive using a 12V jumper and self-powered test light/ohmmeter on the coil terminals.

AI caption February 2009 · Photo 421 of 1457

This is one page of a service procedure covering diagnosis of the tilt-away steering wheel and starter control system. It describes the Steering Column Relay Test: disconnecting the relay plug, locating coil terminals with an ohmmeter, operating the relay with a 12-volt jumper, and checking point continuity with an ohmmeter or self-powered test light (illustrated in Fig. 10). It also covers the Starter Relay Test (jumping the battery terminal to the "S" terminal), the Starter Drive and Starter Test (listening for starter noise and jumping battery positive to the starter terminal of the relay), and the Starter Control Circuit Test. The control circuit description traces power from the S terminal of the ignition switch, through the neutral-start switch on the transmission, to the starter safety switch mounted inside the tilt-away wheel vacuum release motor, and finally to the coil terminal of the starter relay; power is checked with a 12-volt test light with the left door closed, gear selector in Park, and the tilt-away wheel locked down. The page concludes with a description of the locking pawl and its cable, noting there is no adjustment except removing looseness by repositioning the cable guide screw at the vacuum motor.

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Frequently asked questions

How do I test the steering column relay?: Disconnect the relay plug, find the coil terminals with an ohmmeter, and operate the relay with a 12-volt jumper wire to the coil terminals. If the relay clicks, it is mechanically operational. Check point continuity with an ohmmeter or self-powered test light while operating the relay; if the meter moves from 0 to infinity or the test light goes out, the relay is satisfactory.
How do I test the starter relay?: Connect a jumper from the battery terminal of the relay to the "S" terminal of the relay. If the engine does not crank and the relay does not click, the relay is defective.
What conditions are required to test the starter control circuit?: The left door must be closed, the gear selector in Park, and the tilt-away wheel locked down. The ignition switch must be in the Start position each time a test for power is made.
Where is the starter safety switch located on tilt-away wheel cars?: It is mounted inside the tilt-away wheel vacuum release motor, wired between the neutral-start switch on the transmission and the coil terminal of the starter relay.
Can the locking pawl be adjusted?: No, there is no adjustment to the locking pawl. If there is looseness in the cable assembly, loosen the screw retaining the cable guide at the vacuum motor, lightly pull the cable away from the vacuum motor, and tighten the screw.