Starter Issue 1993 XLT SC 4.0 Auto

[Angry Possum]

1993 Ranger 4.0 XLT Auto

Prior to having this starter issue dilemma I sprayed a little WD40 on the battery terminals, just after waxing the ranger yesterday, and cleaned the rims. This is very odd. I highly doubt this was the issue.

My starter was replaced last year or maybe even less than a year ago. When I attempt to start it the starter has a clunk/thump sound. I cleaned the battery posts, also the battery load while attempting to start it and it's fine, it doesn't go past 12.2 volts when attempting to start. The voltage is 12.8 volts when not under load, so the battery seems fine.

I'd like to jump the solenoid out but it won't jump out using a screwdriver along both terminals. How do I go about checking the solenoid first before I do anything else as this is my priority currently. Can I use a multimeter, if so how do I check it.

Also if the ground is bad to the starter, is there a way I can ground it without going underneath directly to the starter.

Is there anything I can troubleshoot also to see if the starter is defective. I'll attempt to tap the starter with a hammer while my girlfriend trys to start it later when she gets home from work. It boggles my mind why all of a sudden the starter crapped out.

Thanks

 

[RobbieD]

Also if the ground is bad to the starter, is there a way I can ground it without going underneath directly to the starter.

Use a single jumper cable, one end clamped on battery Negative, the other end clamped to the engine block. And check that the starter mounting bolts are still tight.

 

[Curious Hound]

I'd like to jump the solenoid out but it won't jump out using a screwdriver along both terminals. How do I go about checking the solenoid first before I do anything else as this is my priority currently. Can I use a multimeter, if so how do I check it.

Are you talking about the solenoid, which is mounted on the starter motor? Or the starter relay, which is usually mounted on the inner fender, up near the top of the engine bay?

 

[Angry Possum]

Are you talking about the solenoid, which is mounted on the starter motor? Or the starter relay, which is usually mounted on the inner fender, up near the top of the engine bay?

The solenoid which is on the inner fender.

 

[Angry Possum]

Use a single jumper cable, one end clamped on battery Negative, the other end clamped to the engine block. And check that the starter mounting bolts are still tight.

Thanks, I'll try that next, if she starts do I have a bad ground on the starter?

 

[Angry Possum]

Could the battery be bad if I'm getting decent voltage when attempting to start it. It only drops down to 12.2 volts. I did have the engine off and radio on when I was waxing the truck, but every 10 minutes I would start it. And it had no issues starting.

 

[RobbieD]

If it consistently starts with a temporary jumper cable ground, and not without it, that would indicate that the battery Negative cable has failed.

The 12.2 volts part is good, but amps is what the starter motor needs. Poor or failed "conductors", i.e. a bad cable, is what robs you of amps.

 

[Angry Possum]

If it consistently starts with a temporary jumper cable ground, and not without it, that would indicate that the battery Negative cable has failed.

The 12.2 volts part is good, but amps is what the starter motor needs. Poor or failed "conductors", i.e. a bad cable, is what robs you of amps.

FWIW, my battery is a lil over 5 years old. However, I have another one I can swap out, after I try out the other troubleshooting ideas.

 

[Curious Hound]

How do I go about checking the solenoid first before I do anything else as this is my priority currently. Can I use a multimeter, if so how do I check it.

To check the starter relay - the device mounted on the inner fender.

First make sure full battery voltage is present on the big terminal where the battery cable is attached.

Second, take a jumper or screwdruver and connect from that terminal to the small terminal. This simulates the signal coming from the key switch. If the relay is working, you should hear a strong "click" or "clunk" as the relay closes its contacts. The starter motor should also spin and try to start the motor. If it does not, you can try it again and measure the voltage on the other big terminal that sends power to the starter motor. If it is full battery voltage, then the starter relay is good. If it is significantly less than battery voltage, the relay is probably bad.

One more test. Short directly across the big terminals. The starter motor should turn. If it doesn't, then there is a problem with the starter or the ground path back to the negative battery terminal.

Sorry to be stubborn about terminology concerning starter relay and solenoid. These are very different components with different jobs. Especially when looking at the wiring diagrams or communicating with others, it gets confusing when the wrong terminology is used. The solenoid is mounted to the starter motor. It usually looks like a big lump attached to the side of the starter. It does 2 things. 1 - it shoots the bendix gear forward to engage the teeth of the flywheel. 2 - it closes an electrical contact sending power to the motor windings. The starter relay, up on the inner fender is just an electrically operated switch that sends power to the starter solenoid when the ignition switch is activated.

 

[Angry Possum]

I just came back in. I replaced the battery with a much newer one and it had the same issue. I also ran a seperate ground from the battery to the block, that didn't work. I also tested the solenoid and it was getting voltage. I then tried jumping out the solenoid but it just sparked and the starter didn't engage or clunk.