looking for some insight here im some what new to the forum check in every now and then do mostly reading then posting any how here is the issue.

87 bronco 302 automatic

ill start from the beginning and apologize for the long post ahead of time.

bout 2 weeks ago the starter took a **** i wasnt driving it the girlfriend was so dont know exactly what happened.

so i replace the starter after making sure it wasnt the starter soloniod that was bad. cleaned all terminals on the starter and solonoid to make sure that there was no bad connections. the new starter lasted about 4 days. i went to start the truck it started and the starter stayed running and burned itself up. so i got another one under warranty this one lasted about a week and a half. about the last two days it would just click when turning the key to the "start" position after a few tries it would start up. today the starter did the same as the previous, truck started and the starter stayed running.

now from a few people i talked to they said the reman starters arent that great, so this time i got a brand new starter but am afraid to put it in and have the same thing happen. so i started testing all the wires and terminals to see if i could come up with something else that may be causing this.

so far....

with a test light i tested...

1.the ignition wire with the key in the "start" position. that checked out. also checked the ignition itself to make sure it wasnt staying in the start position.
2.tested the side of the starter solonoid with all the wires running to it. that checked out.
3.made sure the block was grounded
5.tested the side of the solonoid where the cable runs to the starter and didnt have power and/or current with key in "start" position or with it off. i removed this cable off the solonoid and jumped it with a jumper cable to the positive side of the battery and then tested the starter end with the test light and still have no current.

so tomorrow im going to pull that cable and check for breaks and see if that is the cause of my problems.

im running out of ideas on what may be causing the starters to burn up if any one has any input that may help i would greatly appreciate it.

also if someone has a picture of theyre starter solonoid in the truck would you mind posting it so i can verify that i have all the wires in the correct locations. just to rule that out as a possible factor.

again sorry for the long post if there are any questions regarding anything posted please ask. i am a "green" mechanic i know my way around an engine and can do just about any mechanical work but when it comes to electrical i tend to get lost.

thanks again.

andy

 

Ok...I on't have a truck that year and it's a little late (or early) for me to be taking pics...but I'll check tomorrow and if someone else hasn't uploaded one already I snap one.Since you said the new one lasted about 4 days we can safely assume that they gave you the correct starter since the I put an automatic in my 89 with a 4spd and it burned up the bendix gear in about 2 minutes.Remans usually are **** but I've only run across one bum starter of all the one's I've done......the reman company might have a bad rep anyways so it could be that.Hope you didn't pay for all those starters......The remans might not have been cleaned properly and when solenoid is kicking the bendix out it magnet inside the solenoid might not be releasing causing it to stay running.I'f you've got a manual check for diagrams of the starter solenoid to double check your wiring...also make sure that none of your wires/cables are contacting anything to rub chaffe or melt.Might as well go ahead and buy a new wheel well mounted solenoid while you're at it just to be on the safer side of things...ain't but 10 bucks.....and yes electrical sucks....Good Luck Andy

 

I use nothing but reman . Take it to a rebuild shop . Not mega mart parts world. They will run tests to see problems . And be way more knowledgeable than parts store (they can't know everything). If you went through that many its a other problem. Wiring ETC

P.S. I pay less to have one rebuilt locally than any parts store has them .

 

flarside,

only paid for one the rest were under the warranty but autozones stock is getting low if this keeps up. ill get a manual today and see if i can make anything out of those wiring diagrams. ill take your advice on the solonoid and replace it just to factor that out. im getting to wits end here after the original burned up its been nothing but problem.

lostin,

that could be true about the remans, the ones that i had were from autozone so idk how well they were redone. in the future i think i might try out a rebuild shop sounds like its cheaper and you get a better quality piece.

well thanks for the advice ill keep you guys posted on what happens.

 

The only way it gets power is from the Solenoid.
The Solenoid has power (Positive from the battery on the side closest to the Battery).

The Solenoid has a coil inside it and that coil is wrapped around a piece of iron when the solenoid gets positive voltage(power) from the key(ignition Switch) the solenoid coil energizes and closes the contact tips inside allowing the power to travel through the solenoid to the cable attached to the starter.

Now there is one of two things happening here either your solenoid is getting power at the coil wiring terminal (improperly wired) or ( the solenoid is stuck due to burnt contact tips internally) that would be my guess because the problem only shows up when you try to start it which means the problem is showing up under load.

Too explain it in laymans terms it's like a hose with a hole in it, it will only leak when there is water turned on (pressure in the hose).
If the water is turned off you would never know there was a leak.


Long and short of it is I believe you have burnt solenoid contactor tips so replace the solenoid and your problems should disappear too.


Cheers, Rick.

 

well i went ahead and put a new solonoid in and wired everything back up. she starts but ill have to wait and see how long this one lasts or if the problem has been solved. thanks for everyones advice.

 

if any one has a picture of the starter solonoid in a 87 could you post it. or tell me if this is correct.. left post on solonoid i have just the wire from the starter and on the right side i have positive from the battery and all those acc. wires. the ignition wire is on top on its own post. thanks

andy