4.0 starter problem

[jtrmer]

I am have a starter problem on my 93 Ranger with 4.0 manual trans. The starter clicks but doesn't turn over. The battery is good. I replaced the starter, but I still just get a click.

 

[Explorin94]

Ground? Have you done any trouble shooting to figure it out? Did you just replace the starter because that is what you thought it was? You could probably have saved yourself some money on a sterter. You need to make sure that the ground to the motor is good. The ground itself may be on one of the starter bolts or the front of the block. If you don't know where it goes follow it from the battery. Also chack and make sure that you haveall the correct connections on the solenoid under the hood as well as the starter itself. The large guage wire should be hot all he way to the starter anbd the small guage wire is what goes hot when the key is turned.

 

[pcollins]

check/replace the solenoid under the hood. Its a pretty cheap part and not a bad idea to replace it at that age anyways. Bolted under the hood to one of the fenders. Looks like this (link) -----> PICTURE

I'm not entirely sure why Ford ever used this system. I know Most GMs just put the solenoid on the starter

 

[Explorin94]

If he is getting the click that solenoid is working. His 93 does have a solenoid on the starter as it should be a gear reduction starter.

 

[adsm08]

Click means he has ground, and power to the SOLENOID. You don't have any power to the starter motor itself.

Hook some jumper cables to the starter's big post and the battery + post. I bet she cranks right up.

 

[Explorin94]

Click means he has ground, and power to the SOLENOID. You don't have any power to the starter motor itself.

Hook some jumper cables to the starter's big post and the battery + post. I bet she cranks right up.

Power and a ground to the SOLENOID under the hood....what about the ground on the motor. Try jumping the solenoid with a screwdriver and go from there.

 

[adsm08]

Power and a ground to the SOLENOID under the hood....what about the ground on the motor. Try jumping the solenoid with a screwdriver and go from there.

The odds of the fender solenoid going bad and actuating but not giving continuity is not good.

The motor and the starter-mounted solenoid both ground through the starter case. As long as one of the bolts hasn't backed out and let the starter flop, ground isn't a likely cause of the issue.

My recommended test is still the next thing I'd do.

 

[d_fixitman]

Has this been resolved yet? Feedback to help the others whom may experience this issue would be awesome.

 

[pxbacher]

Bump - Same Issue + a New Question...

I'm having the same issue on my 94 4.0. It's intermittent, so tough to properly diagnose. Just did the valve cover gaskets but the starter is generously covered with sludge, so I'm thinking that's where the problem is (i.e. bad connections, plus possibly oil/goo in the starter-mounted solenoid). When it doesn't start, I do hear a click that sounds like it's coming from the relay inside the driver-side fender.

I had this problem maybe 4 years ago and a starter swap fixed it. But I'd rather not pay for a new starter if I can just clean up the old one and possibly swap out the starter-mounted solenoid to get it starting consistently again. Anyone know if this is possible?

-Pete

 

[martin]

The fender mounted solenoid on the 4.0 is used as a starter relay. Mine would occasionally do the click click thing but eventually start. It took a few years for it to get bad enough to diagnose the problem accurately. changing the solenoid solved the problem.

 

[mazdab40004x4]

Had this same problem last week on my Mazda 4.0. Turn the key and get one click/clunk. The starter actuator would engage pushing the gear forward, but no power to turn the gear. I actually replaced the starter first anyway -- it had been turning slow and making funny noises for awhile and my inspection revealed some hack wiring done with duct tape. New starter didn't solve the no-start problem so I put a new fender relay on and it started right up.

 

[shane96ranger]

my inspection revealed some hack wiring done with duct tape.

What a coincidence. I bought an 85 Mustang from the same guy.

 

[KayLynn]

I know this is a pretty dead thread but....

I'm having starter issues, 2001 Ranger 4.0. Sometimes won't start last few weeks, but will start with a little hammer help. I just took it off and it's beyond nasty mess. Sludge, Mud and whatever else. Is there a specific way I need to clean it up? Like don't touch something, or spray something on it. Don't wanna ruin it if in fact it's just cause it's nasty and bad connection.

Any info/help is much appreciated!

 

[Uncle Gump]

If you have to smack the starter with a hammer to get it to start... you need to just replace the starter.

 

[KayLynn]

Ya, after I hit post reply I thought, Duh that's stupid. Already got it off, might as well just replace it. LoL.