Attention: TDR Forum Junkies 
Mike Ellis
TDR MEMBER
Help! I have changed out the fuel solenoid, relay, and fusible link in the past in my '97 with no problems. So the familiar problem of not starting has once again reared its ugly head, and of course by simply holding up the lever quickly verified the solenoid will be held in during operation, just doesn't get activated at start. I figured it would be a 30 minute fix. So I go to remove the relay and come in for an ugly shock.
Sadly folks, I am now Mr Magoo. Unlike the past where I could easily see the relay to remove the connector, now when I lean over the fender the $%!# relay is right in the middle of the transition zone for my bifocals and distance vision. I cannot see it good enough to figure out where to press to unclip the connector. I have fumbled around with it until I blue in the face and my hands are raw. How in the heck do you actually remove that connector? Where is the $%!! clip??
This simple fix has turned out to be a massive episode of aggravation. I had removed the solenoid and was testing it to see if the pull-in coil worked, was holding it in my hands with the solenoid in normal operation (held in). My wife was operating the key for me and hollered at me "Do you want me to turn off the truck" so I held up my index finger to indicate "Wait one second". She instantly cut the key, and while I had my finger in the air with mouth open still saying "1 sec" the solenoid disengaged and the spring and plunger shot out like a bullet and disappeared in a silver blur. I scoured the engine compartment with a fine-toothed comb, looked all around the truck in the grass, even got out the metal detector and searched a good 20 yards uprange from where it could have gone. I even got a ladder and looked to see if it went on top of the carport. Finally found it later after dropping a wrench which of course clattered down to land directly under the oil pan drain bolt, happened to look up at the right angle while wallowing around under the truck and there was the gleam of paydirt. The plunger, still inside the spring, was lying on top of the steering damper - I would have bet $100 it was impossible for the plunger to lie on top of a cylindrical assembly without rolling off but it sure enough did. If I wasn't a Magoo I would probably have seen it right off the bat.
I need some new eyeballs....
Sadly folks, I am now Mr Magoo. Unlike the past where I could easily see the relay to remove the connector, now when I lean over the fender the $%!# relay is right in the middle of the transition zone for my bifocals and distance vision. I cannot see it good enough to figure out where to press to unclip the connector. I have fumbled around with it until I blue in the face and my hands are raw. How in the heck do you actually remove that connector? Where is the $%!! clip??
This simple fix has turned out to be a massive episode of aggravation. I had removed the solenoid and was testing it to see if the pull-in coil worked, was holding it in my hands with the solenoid in normal operation (held in). My wife was operating the key for me and hollered at me "Do you want me to turn off the truck" so I held up my index finger to indicate "Wait one second". She instantly cut the key, and while I had my finger in the air with mouth open still saying "1 sec" the solenoid disengaged and the spring and plunger shot out like a bullet and disappeared in a silver blur. I scoured the engine compartment with a fine-toothed comb, looked all around the truck in the grass, even got out the metal detector and searched a good 20 yards uprange from where it could have gone. I even got a ladder and looked to see if it went on top of the carport.
Finally found it later after dropping a wrench which of course clattered down to land directly under the oil pan drain bolt, happened to look up at the right angle while wallowing around under the truck and there was the gleam of paydirt. The plunger, still inside the spring, was lying on top of the steering damper - I would have bet $100 it was impossible for the plunger to lie on top of a cylindrical assembly without rolling off but it sure enough did. If I wasn't a Magoo I would probably have seen it right off the bat.I need some new eyeballs....
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