86 E350 Dead - only red brake light

86 E350 Dead - only red brake light (to the right of the speedometer in the dash) when I turn the key. On this snowy morning I was leaving to help my mother with her walks. I pulled out a car length and stopped to shovel a little leaving the van idle - it was running good. When I went to leave it stalled about 7 times and then it died - I think the engine was between warm and cold but there wasn't much life to it. It was next to my car and the jumper cables reached but still nothing. Van is still in the street now - it's heavy and won't move at all when I push it by myself because of snow (I shoveled what I could). Starter isn't too old and I did replace that electrical part(?) behind the grill on the passenger side - the battery place put a new hot wire on and did not tighten the hot wire - when I went back they did spark there with a wrench tightening it. Any help is appreciated - thank you. +++ Turns out it was the solenoid - replaced it some time back - didn't think it would need it again. A guy jumped the 2 posts.

:banghead: Changed the solenoid now it does nothing still - even when jumping the posts on the solenoid - it is now worse that it was.

New solenoid - even got another one - no response - when ? Will turn over when the 2 posts are jumped on the solenoid

Is the starter working? Have you checked all the fusible links and fuses? Have you checked your ignition switch?

Maybe the person that originally turned the key did it wrong, but it does turn over now when jumping the posts. Solenoid : 2 wires to the top post and one off to the side I think goes to the coil and bottom post I think goes to the starter. A mechanic helped but still no luck and I even tried another new solenoid. Checked the fuses. Starter has to be OK as it turns over when jumping the solenoid posts. I see no problem in fusible links - it did start when I did get it backed up off the street too. I tried to get the mechanic to check the ignition switch but all he seemed to do was look at the connecting harness beside the steering wheel column - I do not know where the ignition switch is - do you have to take some covers off or something around the dash or steering column???

Look at a wiring diagram and see what wire trips the solenoid and see if it is getting power. Trace the circuit on the diagram and check all the components that are suppose to have power when the car is in the on position. Then check to see if all the components have power that are suppose to have power when in the start position. You should be able to do this with out having to take anything apart.
How did you check the fusible links and fuses? Looks can be deceiving.

Hi - Still down on 1/1/06. I really am stuck as I do not want to have it towed to someone who can fix it - fortunately the van is here at home. I have a sorensen s72 ignition switch and I'd like to see if that is the problem by just changing the ignition switch. I found nothing related in the econoline section but over in the F truck section I found that this switch is under the dash on the top of the steering column - they say to lower the steering column, then refer to a chilton to do this - I don't have a chilton - any idea how to go about lowering the steering column to change the ignition switch ??? ++++ In searching this I see that there is an ICM (ignition control module) that goes on the distributor. So this part may be bad or the coil. IT does turn over - when crossing the posts on the solenoid. Any thoughts ??? PS - I do not have a wiring chart and knowing me it probably wouldn't help me. My helper nephew was called back to work so I have been on my own and not getting anywhere.

I changed the ignition switch and now the red brake light to the right of the speedometer doesn't even light up - the key turns stiffer - jumping the solenoid doesn't even kick in the starter. +++ When I took out the ignition switch - I did not see the rod that goes into it - I hope I can slip the rod in.

I got the rod into the ignition switch and the key turns ok but I still do not get the red brake lite in the speedometer that I got before changing the ignition switch - it still doesn't start.

Sounds like a ground issue or a bad wire. I have very similar problems with my jeep and after a week had it towed and gone over. It ended up being a coroded wire. Good luck.

well there is a old timmer way to find a problem, first put blocks in front and in back of the tire, then make sure the parking brake is on, then find a wire that will reach from the battery to the fuse box, , before you go any furture, put gear shift leaver in {N} , foot on brake and turn key, if motor turns over you have a bad safty switch,, if not you need to go back to the wire part,,,, put in park ,,,, now what you are going to do is find out if you have a bad inline fuse,,, now hook one side of the wire to the pos side of the battery (+) {BE VERY CAREFULL NOT TO SHORT THE WIRE TO THE VEHICAL} {KEY IN OFF POSITION} turn on your heater to high speed , then find the fuse marked < heater--air condition >TOUCH WITH WIRE.. have some watch the dash, and see if the lights come---brake---oil---etc....just hold the wire long enough to see if lights on dash come ON..... then get back to me for more info... remember BE CAREFUL