My 1993 Ranger 4 cylinder decided this morning not to start. When I push in the clutch and turn the key, I hear a whirring sound for a couple of seconds, which I am guessing is the fuel pump, followed by an audible click in the driver's side of the engine compartment. I assumed this was the starter solenoid, which I replaced this morning. Same symptoms.... Fuses do not appear to be burned out....and it never had a problem starting before today....What should be my next step? Am I correct in thinking it is not the starter becuase it doesn't even turn over?

Thanks, Mark

 

What happens when you try to start? Is there any grinding sounds, or does it just do nothing? My old ranger used to do this; the fuel pump would go and it would all be normal, but either the starter would make a bit of grinding or nothing would happen at all. Found out I had a weak battery, once replaced it started no problem. Maybe get your batt tested someplace?

 

Sorry, should have mentioned the battery. It was 0 dark 30 when it wouldn't start, so while waiting for the parts store to open, I charged my battery. My charger charged it in less than one hour, with no error codes on the charge, it came up tu FUL (full charge). I did not think first thought it was the battery...I turned on the lights, and when I hit the ingnition key, the lights did not dim. I turned the radio on and it went silent when I tried to start the truck, but I am not sure that doesn't always happen when it DOES start....

No grinding noise, no noise at all from the starter...which is why my initial thought is that it is not the starter. It seems like it is not getting an electrical signal to the starter....

Thanks, Mark

 

hmmmm maybe if you think that the starter isn't getting an electric signal.... I'll relate another past ranger experience: I had some of those symptoms your describing, and it turned out that my starter's thick black wire (that has a connection onto the engine block for grounding I think), was completely corroded out, even underneath the plastic. In addition, at the battery end of things, there was a little accessory wire or some thing (also black) stuck onto the batt terminal along with the starter wire, and it too was corroded to ****. Once i replaced this wiring stuff (cost me about 30$ with new batt terminals too) I had absolutely no problem. I recommend checking for copper corrosion in some of your wiring, you can tell cause the corrosion is nice and green

Hope i could be of some help, good luck.

 

My first thought was that it was something electrical. With the battery being ruled out(yes?) and the fuses looking good then my next idea would be some sort of bad ground somewhere. If you really wanted to rule out the starter I know that some parts stores will test the starter for free, but you do have to take it out of the truck and that is a hassle.

 

You need to check a few things first make sure the solenoid is getting power to the little wire when the key is turned to start if not then it could be the clutch switch. or the the ignition switch itself. You can take that wire off and jump one from the plus side of the battery and see if it turns over make sure it is neutral when you do this. if it doesn't turn over or click loudly then I would suspect the solenoid. If it does click but doesn't turn over then it is time head to the starter and check the connections there and it does have another solenoid down there also. This has a PMGR starter on it and they will just some times quit working with no warning. A test light is very handy for diagnosing these kinds of problems. Good luck

 

Thanks everyone! I tried to "jump" the fender mounted solenoid yesterday. I had a '68 Mustang when I was a teen, and a friend taught me how you can steal a mustang in 60 seconds by jumping the solenoid with a screwdriver.

I looked at the connection at the starter, and I did notice the other solenoid on the starter. Not real happy to hear they go out w/o warning. I thought about the clutch plunger, and I hope that is not it. I had my wife try to start it while I was underneath, the starter and lower solenoid make no noise at all.

I think my next step will be to call the auto parts store and see if they will do a bench test if I bring it to them.

Thanks again, Mark....

 

I think this is being over-analyzed

Have your wife hop in and try and start it. Get under the truck (make sure wheels are blocked, E brake on, etc etc...then get a hammer and tap on the starter. Chances are it will start. This would be the first test I would do. If it fires right up, then go and get yourself a starter. When they bench test a starter all they do is hook it up to a 12 V battery and see if it spins. I've had them before where they'd spin when off of the vehicle, but once under load trying to crank the engine they would do nothing.

The one in our ranger, every time you would hit it, it would spin. One winter I was having problems with it (junk napa reman) No start. I had my brother hold the key, and I tapped it with a hammer. Every tap would yield another crank out of the starter, telling me I was in need of a starter.

If you do this test and nothing happens, the I would start with diagnostics. Test that your solenoid is sending 12V to the starter, then make sure you have 12V at the starter mounted solenoid. If so, make sure when you turn the key the starter mounted solenoid passes 12V directly to the starter.

If you have 12V at the starter, and still nothing, test the resistance between the starter body and the negative battery terminal. It should be very close to 0 Ohms.

If you have 0 Ohms then replace the starter.

Good luck and let us know.

Alot of times, a starter will be going bad, someone will take it out, accidentally bang it around as they remove it, toss it in the back of the truck, let it roll around all the way down to the parts store, letting it get banged around some more, and this whole process will loosen up whatever carbon was causing it to not start. The parts store will hook it up, it will work, and then you will be confused.

That is why I prefer to just test it on the vehicle. If the starter mounted solenoid is sending 12 V to the starter, and you have a good ground connection, there is no reason it shouldnt be cranking (unless the starter is bad).

Good luck!

 

Peter94...what an AWESOME response! At first, I thought it a bit absurd until I started thinking about it - freeing up the moving parts. I always thought starters gave you notice before they started going bad, where they would turn over yet not engage the flywheel.
Within 5 minutes after reading your suggestions, I had my wife get in and press the clutch in and hold the key. The second tap on the starter and it roared to life. My plan was to take the starter out before work tomorrow and bring it to Advanced for a bench test, now I know I will give them the core and get a rebuilt one. That way, I won't have to keep a hammer in the car (just kidding!)Thanks to all who offered suggestions! My friends in high school used to tell me the best tool for a Ford was a sledge hammer! Just a little overkill!!

Mark

 

Right on m.concrete, glad to hear you found the fix! Thanks for letting us know what worked, too. I'll definitely be remembering that one peter

 

I'm having a problem similar to misterconcrete's - only when I hit the key, the lights go very dim, and I get a click. Problem is intermittant - I had thought it was the clutch switch, which I replaced a couple weeks ago. Now it's doing it again! Any ideas? Maybe the solenoid? BTW - it's a 93 Ranger, 4.0 with a5 speed

Thanks for the help!

Rich

 

You are drawing more current than can be supplied, tired Battery, corroded cables, or old/dragging starter (bad brushes/ worn bushings)

 

Thanks Aquanaut20 - since all of it's old, think I'll start with worse part first and replace the starter, Truck is crowding 200K, and think it's the original!

Rich

 

That could be a few things. An old battery that just cant put out the cranking amps needed, or your starter is drawing more current than needed.

 

I'm taking the battery in to be checked today - have a feeling it's a combination of bat & poor coonnections!

Rich