Hello, a few weeks ago while returning to illinois from the upper peninsula of michigan my friend got in a fender bender with his 1990 econoline (302 i believe). It crunched the radiator and wouldnt start so we had it towed to a friends relative's. We got a new radiator and are preparing to journey back up there this weekend but what puzzles me is why it wouldnt start. The coolant level was very low obviously, so maybe there is a sensor that would prevent it from starting, but honestly dont know. the plastic fan shroud got crunched something fierce but all the pulleys and alternator wires appear undamaged and the fan turns fine. can anyone else troubleshoot what might be preventing it from starting if everything appears fine? the starter wont even power up so im hoping its just a safeguard.

 

Welcome to the site..

Check the Inertia Switch.

It's designed to shut the fuel pump off in the event of a significant impact.

Should be on the passenger side kick panel/firewall area. It will have a button that pops out. Just cycle it back in..

 

That inertia switch shouldn't be the only thing to check out. If it got mashed up pretty good on the front end then I would look at the battery and see if it was cracked and look at the starter solenoid to see if it was damaged as well