So, I drove my disco to the store like I do every day. When I got out of the store the key in the start position will not turn over the starter. Just nothing. Also an audible click that I am used to was not to be heard. So my thoughts went to a bad relay. I started testing voltages. I first puled the starter relay and tested ohms, and it read 78, thats good. Even put a 9 volt battery to the terminals and can here the audible click. So I know the relay works. Then, I tested the voltage at the relay socket. I think the starter power is pin 86 and it reads zero even when turning the key to start. So my assumption was a bad ignition switch (i even purchased a new one to be delivered tomorrow). I decided to test the ignition switch voltage at the socket. Sticking the leads into the power wire (red/white), I see 12v when I turn the key to start. I was not expecting this but it turns out the ignition switch is sending power to the fuse box socket. I SHOULD be getting power to the relay but am not seeing it. I am now maybe assuming the Neutral Safety Switch may be the culpret? I can't imagine the starter solenoid on the actual starter is bad because it never gave me any issues starting until abruptly NOTHING. Do you guys have ANY ideas of what direction I should go? Recap: Ignition switch is good, starter relay is good, No Power at relay socket. What do I do? Please help!

 

check fuse 17. see page B1-3 in the electrical troubleshooting manual, etlj970x (link in my signature). see also pages 120-121 in the owners manual, hl01561n. (also in the google drive)

 

Yeah all fuses are good. I am at a complete loss.

 

Start chasing power.

With the key in position III, do you get power at fuse 17? If so, you should have power at pin 85 of the starter solenoid relay (not 86 as you mentioned. 86 leads to the Park/Neutral Position switch and the Theft Alarm Unit and ultimately to ground). If you don't, the fuse is no good.

If you DO see 12V at pin 85, it is time to start checking the path to ground via the Park/Neutral switch and Alarm unit.

The diagrams in section B1 are helpful. When troubleshooting I print them out and check each link in the chain.

 

I appreciate your time man. Yes Fuse 17 has power, no 85 does not have power in the position III. I am terrible at understanding these diagrams, but trying to learn. It appears as though, everything from the ignition switch to fuse 17 is getting power, but from fuse 17 to the relay pin 85 there is no power. I would have assumed if Fuse 17 was getting power then there is nothing in between that and pin 85 on the relay? Unless I am missing something?

 

Test the starter before you go diving down a rabbits hole. You can bypass the solenoid or simply jump it with an insulated screwdriver or take it off and have it tested. If you have 12v on the small starter wire when someone turns the key to start = ALL electronics are doing their job and the starter solenoid is simply not finishing the circuit or the motor windings have a bad spot, or it's just old and tired.