Previously, I had problems with the battery. I had to take the truck off the road, with the idea I would get to the much needed body/mechanical repairs, "some day".

I occasionally started it up, knowing the battery would die. One time, the engine wouldn't start. The accessory lights came on, but it wouldn't turn over. I boosted it with my Aerostar, and let it run for about an hour, then drove around my neighborhood in an effort to get battery charged up. Let it run another half hour. Turned it off, and it wouldn't start again. At this point, I figured, "no prob, I just boost it next time again."

Recently, I had a friend move the vehicle to a storage area for our complex. (Many other junkers there too. :-))

I posted the truck up for sale and a guy was interested. Took him to look at it, and we tried to start it. Nothing. Hooked up to boost it, all the accessory lights come on, etc, depress the brake and turn ignition, the door locks engage. I take that to be a good sign. There is a slightly audible click, but not a loud one that I would expect. The lights dim as I try to crank, but no cranking, no turnover.

I let it sit to "charge" for a while, but same thing. No go. Disconnect battery/boost, and all is dead.

Any ideas? I also detected a smell of gas and spotted a small leak near the engine... drip, drip. Somewhere near the engine the fuel line is leaking. That sucks too. But is unrelated.

I just need to get this thing started, and this guy say's he'll make me an offer to purchase.

Could this just be the solenoid? Would wacking it while turning over help? or is it more serious, like the alternator? Or starter?

I really can't narrow it down more than that, with the research I've done online... but most point to starter/solenoid.

Ideas, suggestions? I want to get my old beast off my hands.

 

What you describe sounds like what my BII does when it isn't getting a good connection between the battery and the battery cables. Make sure the connections are clean. Also check the cables themselves, sometimes they can be corroded onthe inside. That's where I'd start.

 

Does that make sense though? I mean, when I connect another battery to boost, I get all my lights, etc, but it still doesn't start. I do hear a faint click, as if maybe the starter relay (Is that same as solenoid????) is not working.

Cables look clean on the battery. I will try taking them off and cleaning. I think I have a tool or a scrubby somewhere that will do it.

I hate this, it's making me want to fix it and pay someone to do the other work it needs.... and keep the damned thing.

 

I suppose it depends on where you are hooking up the jumper cables. If you are hooking the + jumper cable directly to the starter solenoid (same as relay) with the - cable to the frame, that would bypass the battery cables.
Can you start it by sticking a screwdriver between the two big posts on the starter relay (if MT, make sure it's in neutral. Don't want the whole truck jumping onto your toes)? What's the voltage drop across the battery cables?

 

take your old battery out and put in a good battery. Dont try jumping it, or even running jumper cables from the good battery to the battery cables, because too much electricity is wasted.

 

Ok, I'll try those things. I had been hooking the jumper cables to the battery posts, which don't look corroded at all. But the fact that all the interior lights/accessories start, is a strange occurence to me, and makes me think it might only be the battery.... but who knows.

I've been thinking of buying a new battery for my Aerostar, so I'll do that, hook it up to the bronco, and see what gives. If that fails, I'll try the crossing the starter bypass with the screwdriver... another friend online mentioned that last night.

I did try putting the jumper cables on what I thought was the right spot on the starter relay/solenoid.... but was unsure of what I was doing. I'm not usually one to mess "under the hood" basic mechanical stuff, ok, but once wires come in, well....
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Anyway, I tried it, but not sure I put it on the right spot. It didn't seem to do anything, and didn't get the accessories to come on, so I figured I had done something wrong. I hope I can't / didn't hurt anything doing that!!!

I'll try those other things this week. Payday soon, so I can buy a battery... but maybe I'll try closing the circuit also.

One question though, will closing the circuit work with a dead/crappy battery in there?

I figure I'll buy a solar trickle charger while I'm at it, and if it DOES start with a new battery, I'll throw my old Aerostar battery in there, and hook it up to keep it live. Maybe that will keep it going to sell the hunk. lol. If not, I can keep it in the Aerostar, and keep the new battery good.

 

I had a guy offer me 300$ for this truck which needs body work and the engine won't start.... I just don't have time to fix it... but it DOES have recent exhaust, tires, brakes, also has a remote starter and last time I got it to start the AC still worked.

Should I take it? Part of me wants rid of it, but part loves it and I know I've put tooo much cash in it.... arggggh.

It's here if you wanna look. Drivers side is worst for rust........

http://images.trader.ca/autotrader/5...pg.fpx?regular