Won't crank over. Starter relay not closing

1998 FORD EXPLORER
120,000 MILES
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MIKE_MCS
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My daughter's 98 Explorer sport has been having a problem with not cranking over and now it just won't. I replaced the transmission switch (neutral) and swapped the relays. No "check engine" and Anti-thief light is normal, on for about 3 sec then off. Never a rapid flash.

It's not a battery or battery cable problem because I took the cover off the starter relay and if I turn the key to run and press on the relay the starter kicks in and it starts right up.

I get 12+ on the (red/Lt Blue) starter wire at the bottom of the steering column with the key in start position but no power at the starter relay under the hood. Hayes manual shows the key going to the Anti-Thief module but no detail.

Any ideas or the wiring path from the key to the relay. That looks like where my problem
Dec 20, 2011 at 4:10 AM
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RASMATAZ
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Sounds like the computer is not grounding the relay
Dec 20, 2011 at 4:19 AM
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MIKE_MCS
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One side of the relay coil reads about 60 ohms to ground the other side is way above ground. Neither side has any voltage on it in the start position. Do you know if there is a wiring diagram of the circuit? Hayes is very vague between the key and the relay.

Dec 20, 2011 at 6:02 AM
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RASMATAZ
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For what liter engine?
Dec 20, 2011 at 6:04 AM
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MIKE_MCS
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4.0 v6
Dec 20, 2011 at 6:16 AM
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RASMATAZ
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The wire could be open from the transmission to the starter relay-if you have it at the steering column
Dec 20, 2011 at 6:19 AM
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MIKE_MCS
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Is that a straight run from the key to the neutral switch then to the relay or is the anti-thief or PATS in there somewhere? I was thinking about running a new wire but I don't want to trip the alarm.
Dec 20, 2011 at 1:57 PM
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RASMATAZ
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Won't hurt to try and see what happens
Dec 20, 2011 at 3:33 PM
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RIVERMIKERAT
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mike_mcs, were you able to get this Explorer started normally?
Feb 20, 2012 at 3:21 AM