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New Member
- Joined
- Aug 25, 2010
- Messages
- 1
- Vehicle Year
- 1990
- Transmission
- Manual
I recently replaced spark plugs, spark plug wires, distributor cap and rotor on my 1990 ranger XLT 2.9L in prep for a camping trip. This truck was my Dad's and its not my daily driver. I loaded up the truck and took it to work and went down to start it up to head off to the camp site and it wouldn't start. It just made a buzzing noise.
So, I checked the fuses and all of the spark plug wires and everything looked fine. After calling the local parts store, they recommended replacing the starter solenoid. I replaced it with a motorcraft part and it did the same thing. After more inspection, I found that the negative battery cable had serious corrosion near the battery terminal and I cut out as much of the corroded wire and spliced in a new terminal.
When I got the truck home, I put in a new battery cable. There are lots of ground connections on the negative cable including two smaller wires that connect to the solenoid and I think the body. I spliced those two together in a butt connection from the negative cable. After driving the truck for a bit, I went to start it up and the starter kept running after the truck started and even with the key out. The starter burned up. I replaced the starter and drove the truck a little bit each week for about a month and a half without any problems, except maybe a slightly rough iddle. Then I started it and the new starter continued to run with the key out of the ignition. Lukily I was prepared for such an event and disconnected the negative terminal quickly.
So, I replaced the ignition switch and bought a power tester (light). I put the ignition switch in and disconnected the cable that connects to the starter to test for power with the ignition off. There was no power at the cable terminal. So, I hooked the cable to the starter and then went to put the negative cable to the battery and the starter started cranking with the key in the off position.
Does this sound like a faulty ground issue? Any thoughts on why the starter would be stuck in the "start" mode. I can replace the starter - it has a lifetime warranty on it, but its likely that I will experience the same issue down the road. Any recommendations?
So, I checked the fuses and all of the spark plug wires and everything looked fine. After calling the local parts store, they recommended replacing the starter solenoid. I replaced it with a motorcraft part and it did the same thing. After more inspection, I found that the negative battery cable had serious corrosion near the battery terminal and I cut out as much of the corroded wire and spliced in a new terminal.
When I got the truck home, I put in a new battery cable. There are lots of ground connections on the negative cable including two smaller wires that connect to the solenoid and I think the body. I spliced those two together in a butt connection from the negative cable. After driving the truck for a bit, I went to start it up and the starter kept running after the truck started and even with the key out. The starter burned up. I replaced the starter and drove the truck a little bit each week for about a month and a half without any problems, except maybe a slightly rough iddle. Then I started it and the new starter continued to run with the key out of the ignition. Lukily I was prepared for such an event and disconnected the negative terminal quickly.
So, I replaced the ignition switch and bought a power tester (light). I put the ignition switch in and disconnected the cable that connects to the starter to test for power with the ignition off. There was no power at the cable terminal. So, I hooked the cable to the starter and then went to put the negative cable to the battery and the starter started cranking with the key in the off position.
Does this sound like a faulty ground issue? Any thoughts on why the starter would be stuck in the "start" mode. I can replace the starter - it has a lifetime warranty on it, but its likely that I will experience the same issue down the road. Any recommendations?
