Starter Woes (Still)
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Joined: May 2004
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From: Hephzibah, GA
Starter Woes (Still)
My '89 BII was starting fine but a few days ago when I tried to start her up... "click-click-click-click-click-click"... 
The clicking was coming from the starter solenoid. I checked for tight connections, all was fine. I checked the cable at the starter and it was also tight. Checked the battery, had a full charge and cables were fine.
I figure I'd clean the solenoid connections, check, and try again. When I disconnected the primary + cable from the solenoid a big piece of the plastic housing and the solenoid terminal fell off into my hand!
Will try a new solenoid tomorrow and see how things go. I replaced the solenoid about 3 years ago but the starter itself looks like the original factory equipment. Will know more if/when I have to replace it.
The clicking was coming from the starter solenoid. I checked for tight connections, all was fine. I checked the cable at the starter and it was also tight. Checked the battery, had a full charge and cables were fine.
I figure I'd clean the solenoid connections, check, and try again. When I disconnected the primary + cable from the solenoid a big piece of the plastic housing and the solenoid terminal fell off into my hand!
Will try a new solenoid tomorrow and see how things go. I replaced the solenoid about 3 years ago but the starter itself looks like the original factory equipment. Will know more if/when I have to replace it.
Post Fiend
Joined: Jun 2002
Posts: 13,873
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From: Atlanta GA
Maybe the cable moved around enough to cause stress on a cheap solenoid. I like to tie my cables so they do not move, especially for the voltage regulator.
If you want to spend the bucks on something better, get a marine solenoid from NAPA or West Marine (they have a few stores in GA).
If you want to spend the bucks on something better, get a marine solenoid from NAPA or West Marine (they have a few stores in GA).
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Joined: May 2004
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From: Hephzibah, GA
Old thread, I know, but wanted to update...
I replaced the solenoid and discovered the starter housing was "loose" and rattled so I replaced it as well.
Reattached and rechecked everything and tried to start up... Nothing, not even a click. Only this time the interior lights went out as if it was the battery.
I attempted to jump start with the wife's van, no good with only the solenoid clicking.
I jumped the solenoid terminals and it did attempt to turn over but only very slightly.
Any ideas?
I replaced the solenoid and discovered the starter housing was "loose" and rattled so I replaced it as well.
Reattached and rechecked everything and tried to start up... Nothing, not even a click. Only this time the interior lights went out as if it was the battery.
I attempted to jump start with the wife's van, no good with only the solenoid clicking.
I jumped the solenoid terminals and it did attempt to turn over but only very slightly.
Any ideas?
Post Fiend
Joined: Sep 2009
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From: Coeur d alene, Id
try messing with the connections on the battery..my 90 use to always get loose and i needed to clean the connectores and retighten them down..simple fix..almost 99% sure this is your problem..
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From: Hephzibah, GA
I pulled the battery 2 days ago and put it on the trickle charger. It was initially reading around 11.5 volts (analog meter). After charging for 48 hours it was reading around 12.2 volts. I hooked the battery up via jumper cables and tried to start her up... Only the solenoid made a sound and no turn-over, the interior lights also went dim and out. I disconnected the cables and rechecked to find right around 11.0 volts. So, I'm guessing it's probably the battery. It's a ValueCraft 65 Series from AutoZone and it's only 3.5 years old. I inquired as to the prorating amount for exchange on the 5 year warranty and was told it was a whopping $0.69 off a new battery. I left to get a new battery elsewhere.
Post Fiend
Joined: Sep 2009
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From: Coeur d alene, Id
well i would say it is the battery..also try getting new terminals.. like a said i had this reoccuring problem in my 90..and i would just move the terminals around until it got a good connection..
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From: Hephzibah, GA
Thanks Micah. I replaced the cables and terminals when I replaced the battery just over 3 years ago and they still look to be in good shape and everything is clean and tight.
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From: Hephzibah, GA
The rain stopped for a bit so I crawled in and under my Bronco and checked all connections and continuity... All is good. I decided to try jump-starting with the wife's van once again but it didn't help.
Then I wondered what would happen if I took my battery out of the equation completely..?? So I just hooked my wife's battery to my disconnected cables and it turned over, slowly but it at least did something.
I checked the voltage of my battery again and it was right at 9 volts... Dead. So.... New battery tomorrow.
Then I wondered what would happen if I took my battery out of the equation completely..?? So I just hooked my wife's battery to my disconnected cables and it turned over, slowly but it at least did something.
I checked the voltage of my battery again and it was right at 9 volts... Dead. So.... New battery tomorrow.
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Joined: May 2007
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From: Helena,MT
You mentioned that the starter looked like it may be the original - my 84 (back when it had the V6) acted like you describe and replacing the starter fixed it. (the bearings and brushes do wear out)
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From: Hephzibah, GA
Sorry, I replaced the solenoid and a new starter at the same time. The starter housing was loose and "rattled" a bit so I thought it was time to change it. It still hand spun OK but looked to be the original.
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