Van won't start
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Van won't start
I'm sure the answer is already here somewhere, but I can't find it. My 1993 Aerostar with 120,000 km on it won't start. There's just a single click when we turn the ignition. Sometimes we can go out a few minutes later and it will start up fine, sometimes a couple days later it will start up fine. When it does start, it starts up right away with no hesitation - it just turns right over. When it won't start, the lights don't dim and the battery guage on the dash is remaining relatively high so I don't think it is the battery.
It's frustrating because as soon as we decide to call CAA to have it towed to the shop it starts running and will do so for several days. It only does it at home and if it does start and we take it out somewhere it always starts back up. Could it be cold related? We only had our first super cold night two weeks ago, about the time this started, and we never have the problem when it has already started and is still somewhat warm.
Any ideas?
It's frustrating because as soon as we decide to call CAA to have it towed to the shop it starts running and will do so for several days. It only does it at home and if it does start and we take it out somewhere it always starts back up. Could it be cold related? We only had our first super cold night two weeks ago, about the time this started, and we never have the problem when it has already started and is still somewhat warm.
Any ideas?
Post Fiend
Joined: Apr 2005
Posts: 5,720
Likes: 5
From: Washington state
since the interior lights don't dim down and voltage gauge drop when you only get the click but no starter spin, it suggests failing lose battery cables on the battery, starter solenoid, starter or on the chassis/engine block
clean and tighten all 12v high current cables and connections....look for corrosion inside insualtion....common at batt. connection end and major cause of no starts
these Aeros are getting long in the tooth....the cables are old and have been exposed to lots of sulfuric acid fumes....Aero cables are unsized to begin with
many auto parts stores offer free starting and charging systems tests....perhaps Autozone and others in Ont. offer the same....call ahead
does your fuel pump always come on for a couple seconds when you first turn on key?
clean and tighten all 12v high current cables and connections....look for corrosion inside insualtion....common at batt. connection end and major cause of no starts
these Aeros are getting long in the tooth....the cables are old and have been exposed to lots of sulfuric acid fumes....Aero cables are unsized to begin with
many auto parts stores offer free starting and charging systems tests....perhaps Autozone and others in Ont. offer the same....call ahead
does your fuel pump always come on for a couple seconds when you first turn on key?
Last edited by 96_4wdr; Feb 4, 2007 at 11:44 AM.
Senior User
Joined: Dec 2003
Posts: 157
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From: staten island
I agree with the previous post.
Check your cables and connections.
When the Aero doesn't start, try to get to the starter and tap it with a hammer. If the truck starts, suspect the starter. The starter is toward the rear of the engine, on the driver's side. The oil filter is right above the starter sometimes oil from a loose filter will drip on the starter and make it unreliable.
Check your cables and connections.
When the Aero doesn't start, try to get to the starter and tap it with a hammer. If the truck starts, suspect the starter. The starter is toward the rear of the engine, on the driver's side. The oil filter is right above the starter sometimes oil from a loose filter will drip on the starter and make it unreliable.
Lead Driver
Joined: Sep 2003
Posts: 7,018
Likes: 210
From: SoCal
If the lights don't dim, I would say the problem is at the starter. (But it's good to check the battery connections as well, since it's so easy to.)
One problem I've seen is a loose stud on either the starter or solonoid. It obviously loosens up on the lug that is supposed to be bolted to it, but it also prevents proper re-tightening. The solution is to tighten the base nut that holds the stud to its structure. This may require setting up a couple of jam nuts to hold the stud steady while tightening the base nut. Once that's solid, it's much easier to tighten the lug onto the stud. If that can't be done, you may need two wrenches to tighten two nuts around the lug. Usually that should be sufficient, as the stud has some form of direct connection to wirings inside the starter or solonoid.
Of course, once I've also had to repalce a starter that acted much like yours, and it was during a very cold winter in Detroit. Cold weather tends to be hard on a lot of automotive parts.
One problem I've seen is a loose stud on either the starter or solonoid. It obviously loosens up on the lug that is supposed to be bolted to it, but it also prevents proper re-tightening. The solution is to tighten the base nut that holds the stud to its structure. This may require setting up a couple of jam nuts to hold the stud steady while tightening the base nut. Once that's solid, it's much easier to tighten the lug onto the stud. If that can't be done, you may need two wrenches to tighten two nuts around the lug. Usually that should be sufficient, as the stud has some form of direct connection to wirings inside the starter or solonoid.
Of course, once I've also had to repalce a starter that acted much like yours, and it was during a very cold winter in Detroit. Cold weather tends to be hard on a lot of automotive parts.
Laughing Gas
Joined: Oct 2005
Posts: 1,226
Likes: 42
From: The OC
I had the same problem with my 93 Aero. You can take yours apart, lube the shaft because it is probably very dry, and see if that helped. If it didn't cure your problem, get another starter. No more getting stranded.
Senior User
Joined: Aug 2000
Posts: 305
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Hi,
turn on the ignition and connect the 2 contacts at the solenoid on the driver's side fender wall by holding a screwdriver or something similar to them. If the engine turns, you have your culprit. If not, you have ruled this (cheap) possibility out and you can head for the more expensive parts (starter solenoid, starter motor).
Good Luck!
Tom
former owner of a 1993 3.0 Ext.
turn on the ignition and connect the 2 contacts at the solenoid on the driver's side fender wall by holding a screwdriver or something similar to them. If the engine turns, you have your culprit. If not, you have ruled this (cheap) possibility out and you can head for the more expensive parts (starter solenoid, starter motor).
Good Luck!
Tom
former owner of a 1993 3.0 Ext.
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