lil help. No start.
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lil help. No start.
Went for a quick errand at 12pm. Tow got me home at 2am. At the 7-11 I tried to start my 96 ranger and it only clicks once. The starter not engaging. This has been a super reliable truck. Where do I start? Is there a solenoid? Starter?
TIA
Ryan
TIA
Ryan
Fleet Mechanic
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From: Boston, MA
don't forget if it is a standard you can pop start it? do you have headlights? could br fender relay, battery, starter? starter control circuit
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A helper would be handy so that you can locate where the click sound is coming from.... Have someone turn the key while you listen (hood up of course).
I would check the battery first w a meter to make sure there's sufficient voltage.
Check the battery cables & connections to make sure they're clean & tight. I use battery grease.
If the voltage is good, I would check the voltage at the starter solenoid.
Check the connections to make sure they're clean & tight.
The vehicle probably has a starter relay... It would be in the power-distribution/relay box which would be located in the engine bay (it is on my 02 Escape).
The Chilton manual should have a test procedure for checking the relay. You'll need a multimeter - RadioShack ought to have something cheap.
And of course be sure to check for a bad fuse, either the fuse box in the passenger compartment of the truck or in the power distribution box mentioned.
I would check the battery first w a meter to make sure there's sufficient voltage.
Check the battery cables & connections to make sure they're clean & tight. I use battery grease.
If the voltage is good, I would check the voltage at the starter solenoid.
Check the connections to make sure they're clean & tight.
The vehicle probably has a starter relay... It would be in the power-distribution/relay box which would be located in the engine bay (it is on my 02 Escape).
The Chilton manual should have a test procedure for checking the relay. You'll need a multimeter - RadioShack ought to have something cheap.
And of course be sure to check for a bad fuse, either the fuse box in the passenger compartment of the truck or in the power distribution box mentioned.
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Thanks Martin.
I think I found the problem.
Sorry i dont know the technical terms but the small can shaped component above the main body of the starter had two terminals on it. One is the hot cable to the battery the other has a short exposed wire going into the body of the starter. That short wire wasvery rusty and brittle. When I was poking around the wire disentegrated. I am assuming that is the power to the starter? Is this something to fix? Rewire? Or just go get a new starter?
Thanks
Ryan
I think I found the problem.
Sorry i dont know the technical terms but the small can shaped component above the main body of the starter had two terminals on it. One is the hot cable to the battery the other has a short exposed wire going into the body of the starter. That short wire wasvery rusty and brittle. When I was poking around the wire disentegrated. I am assuming that is the power to the starter? Is this something to fix? Rewire? Or just go get a new starter?
Thanks
Ryan
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From: Dexter, MI
Did you get a new wire - the one that runs from the starter solenoid to the starter? From the description of the present wire, that is at least part, if not all, of the problem.
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It sounds like the starter solenoid is part of the starter, as a kind of piggyback type of deal.
Although I don't know, replacing the starter may have taken care of the shorted wire he mentioned.
If there are any burned or melted wires, I would replace them.
Although I don't know, replacing the starter may have taken care of the shorted wire he mentioned.
If there are any burned or melted wires, I would replace them.
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Martin, Everything else looked tip top. I dont think it was shorted, just a steel, exposed wire, rusted and done. I asked at the 3 parts shops in the neighborhood (AZ, CQ and Napa) They couldnt give any advise on rewiring, not surprised, but my brother offered up some sound advise that if the wire is disintegrating the starter itself is probably on the outs (160K is a good run).
Michigan, It may have been in perfect condition just needing the wire that runs from that piggy backed solenoid into the motor. If I could have seen a write up or something stating rewire is a solid fix I would have gone for it. So I just went with a new one and done is done.
Thanks for the help.
Ryan
Btw the new starter is the same. Exposed wire, why dont they use wire wrapped in some plastic or housed within? I dont get it. It is silver, not sure of the metal but an enclosed copper seems like it would last forever...? Not an electrician.
Michigan, It may have been in perfect condition just needing the wire that runs from that piggy backed solenoid into the motor. If I could have seen a write up or something stating rewire is a solid fix I would have gone for it. So I just went with a new one and done is done.
Thanks for the help.
Ryan
Btw the new starter is the same. Exposed wire, why dont they use wire wrapped in some plastic or housed within? I dont get it. It is silver, not sure of the metal but an enclosed copper seems like it would last forever...? Not an electrician.
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That sure sounds odd - I guess they're trying to cut costs? Since it doesn't have the protective sheathing, perhaps that's the negative or ground wire. I'd be tempted to wrap it w electrical tape.
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Not a ground, I believe it is called the lead wire. And not a lot of room to move tape around. Problem with taping it, if moisture gets trapped it could speed up the degradation. Looking at pics of other starters online it is a solid strip of metal. I figure the last starter lasted 14+ years and 160K miles. This one should be good for a while.