How do I use wp_query for WordPress search?

Question

I would like to create a custom search form to search posts based on the values of about 4 custom fields. I tried using wp_query to achieve this but so far my biggest problem is that the I don't get any results when searching for data in custom fields - even for data that I am sure exists. Also, I can't figure out how to remove the normal WordPress "keyword" search box and use just my four combo boxes.

Here is the code from my search.php file: http://pastie.org/private/jhgsmaolvjyswyhsfphlfa
and here's the code from my searchform.php: pastie.org/private/o3hrtqajh8hbkiht1nyoba
Here is an image of the form layout: https://i.sstatic.net/N8ncg.png

Thanks.

Answer 1

You need to combine your search query with a new WP Query...

That would be something like this, on your search.php

<?php

global $wp_query; // get the global object

$thesearch = get_search_query(); // get the string searched

// merge them with one or several meta_queries to meet your demand
$args = array_merge( $wp_query->query, array( 
   'meta_query' => array(
    array(
        'key' => 'field_to_seach',
        'value' => $thesearch,
        'compare' => 'IN'
    )
)
    ));
query_posts( $args ); // alter the main query to include your custom parameters

?>

Answer 2

You always can use pre_get_posts or posts_where hooks.

Here you have an example of using pre_get_posts to exclude some posts from search results: http://codex.wordpress.org/Plugin_API/Action_Reference/pre_get_posts#Exclude_Pages_from_Search_Results

It's better solution, because you won't make another, redundant SQL query.