New Starter?
Thread Starter
|
Senior User
Joined: Sep 2003
Posts: 257
Likes: 0
New Starter?
Bronc started fine this morning on the way to school today, but on the way home, it was dead on the first attempt. I had full battery power, and I've recently replaced the starter relay. After about 10 tries, she finally turned over. I find it odd that there was no sign of this just 3 hours previous. The truck is 14 yrs. old, so should I replace the starter, or can anyone think of anything else. Thanks!
Posting Guru
Joined: Apr 2004
Posts: 1,399
Likes: 1
From: Corinth, TX
a little more info, please... on those 10 attempts, was the motor turning over, or was it more of a 'whirring' noise? Or was there no response at all? Also, how is your voltmeter reading once started? Does it run / drive ok once started? If the voltmeter is good, and it was actually cranking on those 10 attempts, you might look towards the coil, or possibly the fuel system. If it was cranking healthily, just not catching, then it's not your battery or starter.
-Josh
-Josh
Senior User
Joined: Oct 2003
Posts: 134
Likes: 0
From: Austin
you mean the starter relay/solenoid on the fender by the battery? i had a problem similar and took the little wire off the starter solenoid on the starter and cleaned the connection scraping the crap off of it and it fixed my problem. i basically would turn the key but the starter wouldnt fire up. once that was done it has run fine. you could use a little peace of sand paper to do the same thing to clean it, if thats what is causing your problem.
Thread Starter
|
Senior User
Joined: Sep 2003
Posts: 257
Likes: 0
No it was not cranking healthily, the 10 attempts each varied. On the first try, it seemed like the battery was dead. The second time I got a little bit of crank. The third a little more, but then the forth time, back to nothing. It went back and forth like this for a while. Once the truck finally turned over, she ran fine. On each try I could hear the relay click so I know it wasn't that, and I had full batery power to use for lights, radio...
Elder User
Joined: Apr 2004
Posts: 768
Likes: 0
From: Oromocto NB
I had the same problem, Dam starter was dried out, and was sticking. Had to take it apart and grease the dam thing. Happens evey couple years, think the air condition drips on it and washed the grease out of it.
Posting Guru
Joined: Apr 2004
Posts: 1,399
Likes: 1
From: Corinth, TX
definitely check all the connections between the battery and the starter. Since it's running fine once cranked, your fuel is probably ok as well as your spark. Sounds very odd, but I once had this problem with a 1987 Caddy DevIlle that belonged to my ex's dad. I can't remember the exact part that I had to replace, but it was electrical. Since I'm not a GM guy (and those damn 4100 FWD engines REALLY SUCK), I just let a shop take care of it... but I remember it was something about the vehicle ground not functioning properly, due to too much resistance on the ground wire... or something. he could've been feeding me a load of crap, but he fixed it. I had been working around it by turning the car to 'run' for about a minute before i actually started it. I wish i had a reasonable explanation as to why this worked, but i don't. Anyway, i guess my point is that your problem (after hearing the symptoms) is most likely electric and not mechanical or fuel-related. Check all your connections, and if you feel comfortable doing so, pull your starter off and have it tested just in case. wish i could be of more help...
-Josh
-Josh
Trending Topics
Thread Starter
|
Senior User
Joined: Sep 2003
Posts: 257
Likes: 0
Well, for some reason the Bronc is running fine today, with no problems starting!?? I don't know why?? I'll be checking and cleaning all the connections. Thanks for all the help.
FTE Stories
Ford Trucks for Ford Truck Enthusiasts
10 Best Ford Truck Engines We Miss the Most!
Joe Kucinski
2026 Shelby F-150 Off-Road: Better Than a Raptor R?
Brett Foote
2027 Super Duty Carhartt Package First Look: 12 Things You NEED to Know!
Michael S. Palmer
10 Most Surprising 2026 Ford Truck Features!
Joe Kucinski
Top 10 Ford Trucks Coming to Mecum Indy 2026
Brett Foote
5 Best / 5 Worst Ford Truck Wheels of All Time
Joe Kucinski
Ford Super Duty: 5 Things Owners LOVE, 5 Things They LOATHE!
Joe Kucinski
Every 2026 Ford Truck Engine RANKED from WORST to FIRST!
Michael S. Palmer
The Best F-150 Deal of Every Trim Level (XL through Raptor)
Joe Kucinski
Senior User
Joined: Mar 2004
Posts: 497
Likes: 0
From: END OF THE OREGON TRAIL
Low Voltage
My 91 E350 and 79 E250 van did same thing both have 351w, Check battery for bad cell. Both of my batteries were from costco. Both batteries had same problem (Dead or weak cell). I still replaced cables and relays because of age. A fully charged battery should be about 13.5 volts. When the battery voltage was weak crank but no start. Hope this helps. 
Senior User
Joined: May 2004
Posts: 184
Likes: 0
For piece of mind, I placed another ground cable from the negative battery post to the mounting bolt of my starter. The Bronco has a poor grounding system and if you follow your negative battery cable to the engine block, you will notice it ties into the passenger side fram rail. This tie seems to rust/corrode heavily and will effect your starting ability. Remember that your electronics will not draw the heavy amperage that your starter will draw. A bad ground will eventually ruin a starter if not fixed. The ground cable only costs a couple of bucks and a small amount of your time. just my two cents worth, take it or leave it
.
.
Junior User
Joined: Apr 2004
Posts: 69
Likes: 0
From: Fresno Ca., San Joaquin V
I recently had the same problem with my '88 302. It was the ground wire terminal eye at the block under the alternator burned in two. I had to wait for it to cool off every time before it would start. On the little wire at the solenoid,I was able to find a nut to fit the stud and I replaced it with double nuts and washer. It is either a 8/32 or a 10/32 thread.
Elder User
Joined: Sep 2003
Posts: 533
Likes: 0
From: Myrtle Point, Or
When starter are going out, they tend to do weird things. Here's one, when it cold(motor) it will crank fine, but when it hot, nothing. Also, when they get old, they draw more amps then normal, which cause slow starts. It would be better to buy a new one, because u don't want to be stuck somewhere with a bad starter. Mine was $80 with a lifetime warrenty.
Post Fiend
Joined: Mar 2003
Posts: 14,413
Likes: 3
From: Sarnia, Ontario, CANADA!
Originally Posted by SproutW
For piece of mind, I placed another ground cable from the negative battery post to the mounting bolt of my starter.
Also, keep a hammer with you. If your starter really goes on ya then you can hit it a few times then it should crank over.
Good luck!
-Matt
