Starter problems

[Buggyman]

Hey folks,

I am putting a 2000 ranger engine into m 98' ranger, both are a 3.0. Everything has matched up so far but I am having problems with the starter. The donor motor had no starter, so I took my old one that I knew worked and decided o test it on the new motor before I installed it. I attached the wiring, hooked up a battery and crossed the yellow wire to the positive wire and all I got was a loud pop. I tried to take the starter out and it did the same thing without being attached to the motor.

I got the donor motor installed today, and put a new starter on. I attached all the wiring to the harness and it still does the same thing, when I turn the key, I get a loud snap and everything shuts off.

I have checked all the connections and nothing appears to be shorting out. I have the negative lead connected to the post closest to the starter that has the braided wire attached, the positive lead is attached next to it and the yellow wire to the lower post. Does it sound like I have it wired right? I was working on getting the motor in for 16 hours yesterday and I would not be too surprised if I mixed it up while being half asleep.

Thanks for any help.

Philip

 

[Sasquatch_Ryda]

You should have a Red wire, and a yellow/light blue wire. The red wire is 12v from the battery, the yellow/light blue is the trigger wire from the ignition (triggers the solenoid to engage the starter). The starter motor grounds through the engine/transmission. There is no negative lead to the starter.

 

[Buggyman]

I thought the same thing, however I have a thick red wire, a thick black wire and the thinner yellow wire going to the starter, the starter also has three posts for each wire with one post having a braided bare wire leading the starter.

 

[Earl43P]

Starter does NOT get a big black ground wire attached to any post, period. Dead short.

Try putting the black wire on a starter mount bolt. No telling why a PO might have installed that, but it won't hurt anything, just a ground.

 

[Buggyman]

Here is the starter wiring diagram, but it does NOT give you the polarity of each post... I know the "S" terminal goes to the yellow wire, but what about the "M" terminal and the "B" terminal?

 

[Sasquatch_Ryda]

Just take the black wire off, its not supposed to be there, period. I would trace that back and see where it comes from. As stated, there are only the 2 wires. I have the Ford wiring diagrams in front of me if you need it.

 

[Earl43P]

Listen, the M and B terminals are electrically connected with a bus bar. It is part of the starter. Do not attach any black wire to either of those terminals. You should only have to connect the B+ cable to one of those posts, the one furthest from the solenoid which is the cylindrical assembly on the side of the starter.

 

[2813josh]

87 Bronco II 4wd M/T
Same problem with 2 diff starters. Ring gear looks ok But starter just grinds...

 

[2813josh]

wow im a dumbass...posted to the wrong thread

 

[rigby]

I'm having this exact same issue, except it just started happening on a perfectly functioning engine, not after an engine swap.
It was raining that night though, chances water could have shorted something out?
It had the same issue 9 hours later at 6am when I had to leave for (and subsequently walk to) work.

Unfortunately In the process of trying to push it out the driveway and hill start it I gave up, then locked the cab with the keys in "Run" so the battery is probably very much dead at this point anyway and I haven't been able to pop the hood as I'm locked out of the cab.

It's been a long week.
Dads spare key should get here in the mail tomorrow, any pointers?

 

[adsm08]

chances water could have shorted something out?

Dads spare key should get here in the mail tomorrow, any pointers?

With those symptoms its a good chance something is shorted.

As for advice, don't lock your keys in the truck,

 

[rigby]

As for advice, don't lock your keys in the truck

Well said sir, well said.

Lots of corrosion around positive battery terminal, cleaning it off now. Here's to hoping .