Starter will not engage?

2002 MERCURY COUGAR
190,000 MILES • 4 CYL • 2WD • MANUAL
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CHRIS JOHNSON6
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The car listed above is a c2 coupe. I thought my starter was bad, but I took it off and tested it to be good and the constant power to the starter is good. it's the wire that engages the starter when the key is turned on that does not get any power once the key is turned to start the car. So, I need help troubleshooting this problem. Please and thank you.
Sep 4, 2022 at 12:12 PM
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AL514
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  • 5,465 POSTS
Hello, this being a manual transmission, have you checked the Clutch Switch on the pedal? It grounds the Starter Relay. I'll pull up wiring diagrams, but you can try bypassing it for testing purposes, just make sure the vehicle is in Neutral and the parking brake is on. Only bypass it if it is a 2-wire switch, but the ECM provides Ground for the Starter Relay, but the Clutch Switch closes the circuit for starting. It's a safety feature.

https://www.2carpros.com/articles/how-to-check-an-electrical-relay-and-wiring-control-circuit

https://www.2carpros.com/articles/how-to-use-a-test-light-circuit-tester
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Sep 4, 2022 at 12:40 PM