Starter issue

[feellnfroggy]

OK, so the basics are kicking my butt. 93 ranger, had a new starter put in 3 yrs ago. Recently it starts turning over superslow, then it would catch and turn over just fine, now its just clicking, got to looking and the starter was missing a bolt, and flopping loose, replaced the bolt and snugged things up. then noticed the positive (red) wire was loose in the connecter at the starter, bought a new connector and reconnected the starter wiring properly, still has a click with no start, can push start and run just fine. I bounce the hot wire of a few ground points and had alot of pretty sparks, but didnt lose any fuses or anything. So, what am i overlooking and is it possible the light show killed the solenoid on hte starter? I may get this sorted out, but would like to hear ideas from you guys.

my way of thinking is theres only 5 points to a starting system,

battery, relay, solenoid, starter and wires.

oh yeah, gonna be checking hte wires for corrosion soon, that was the problem last time.

 

[UrbanRedneckKid]

Is this "clicking" just from the solenoid, or from the starter too?



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[feellnfroggy]

cant tell, ihear it through the firewall and not the floor I think (shifter panel not in place, so i can hear through the floor pretty well.) Im about to tear in and do head gaskets, upper lower intake gaskets, and valve covers, but id like to know its running right before i start any additional work.

 

[RonD]

Loosen, check and re-tighten Ground cable from battery to engine block, both ends, 12volts isn't 12volts without a clean ground.

Disconnect "-" battery cable.
On starter solenoid remove one nut on a larger post, remove the cables and clean the ends, wire brush the post if needed, replace cleaned cables, tighten nut.
Repeat for other large solenoid post, do NOT do both posts at the same time, best case will be no charging or a blown alternator, worst case the starter will activate and run your a$$ over.
One at a time, gets it done just as fast.
Reconnect "-" battery cable.

If you still have a no start and if you have some jumper cables try this.
Assuming battery has at least 12.4volts.

Make sure transmission is in NEURAL or PARK!!!!!!!
E-brake set
You are by-passing clutch and NSS switch with this test.
Key OFF, and in your pocket, don't want engine to start

By-pass starter solenoid:
Put red jumper on one large starter solenoid post, touch other end of red jumper to the other large solenoid post.
Starter should crank, if it does then solenoid is most likely the issue
If it doesn't crank remove jumpers.

Connect red jumper to starter motor's large red cable(from the solenoid) post, make sure it isn't touching any grounds.
Touch the other end of the red jumper to the "+" battery post.
If starter cranks then replace cable between solenoid and starter.
If it doesn't crank then replace starter, this is assuming you have checked and cleaned the Grounds

 

[Chris_1]

I agree, clean connections are extremely important to dependable starting. If all else fails, you can just pull the starter and test it with booster cables on the ground. A test light would be very handy to see if power is getting through the upper solenoid the way it's supposed to.