WTF!! Is making this mysterious noise??

[sexybluelady]

88 2.9 5spd ranger.
Went to start it two days ago and got this no start noise?
Starter is new, starter solenoid is new, ign switch is good, new distributor, battery is good. Checked the flywheel it looks beautiful. Motor isn't sized.
Haven't checked the relays under the hood yet next to the starter solenoid yet. I'm at a legit list as to what is causing this no start and this noise.
Here's the short youtube video link.

- YouTube

Enjoy the videos and music you love, upload original content, and share it all with friends, family, and the world on YouTube.

youtube.com

 

[Uncle Gump]

Sure sounds like the starter solenoid rattle to me. This is typically caused by low voltage. Ensure your battery is fully charged and your battery connections are clean and tight. If that checks good... I'd suggest googling "voltage drop testing". Then take what you learn to the vehicle and test your cables for voltage drop.

I'll almost guarantee it is not the distributor...

 

[lil_Blue_Ford]

Personally, if I wasn’t certain about the condition of the battery cables (meaning I’ve personally replaced them already), I’d replace the cables and clean the connections. If that doesn’t help, which it may or may not but I’ve had all sorts of problems from cables that had gone bad over time, then one of the “new” components is having a problem. It’s sadly not uncommon anymore.

 

[Curious Hound]

Definitely sounds like starter solenoid is not getting enough voltage. As mentioned, check all connections positive AND negative for tight and clean and no corroded cables. And make sure battery voltage is good.

 

[sexybluelady]

Okay thanks guys, I'll pull out my power probe today to see what my readings are. I took a peek at the starter to switch cable and I'm going to replace it, it has seen better days.

Sorry for the swearing in the video, I was dead tired and freezing cold, from laying on the ice all day after a night shift.

 

[Jazzer]

Cables can be corroded inside their insulation jacket with no outward visible clues. A voltage test will find this but if in doubt, replace!

 

[SenorNoob]

This.^ I was surprised to see just how bad mine were when I converted to the "military" cable ends. I REALLY need new cables.

 

[lil_Blue_Ford]

Cables can be corroded inside their insulation jacket with no outward visible clues. A voltage test will find this but if in doubt, replace!

This.^ I was surprised to see just how bad mine were when I converted to the "military" cable ends. I REALLY need new cables.

That’s why I specified that if I haven’t personally replaced the cables, it’s usually my first stop. I was fighting issues on my Choptop years ago that were electrical related and couldn’t nail down the problem until I realized that every time I flexed the battery cables, they sounded crispy. Insulation looked fine. I got curious and took my knife and opened up the insulation to find the cables had corroded to junk inside the insulation.

I build my own cables now using welding cable (high flex, fine strand) and use Dielectric grease and No-Alox appropriately. No-Alox is sold for electrical use for bonding aluminum wire to panels and such to keep them from corroding (dissimilar metals), so it’s electrically conductive unlike Dielectric grease.

 

[sexybluelady]

Turned out to be the starter to switch cable. Barely got a reading off of it with my ohm meter. In the middle of the cable under the wiring loom it had a spot that had corrosion inside of the wire.

I went ahead and made a new end for my pos battery cable too, while I was at it.

Got it running, but still have to dial in the timing tomorrow morning.

On my dodge stealth and my bobber I made my own cables. During the spring I'm going to go through the Ranger and replace all of the grounds.

Thanks guys btw.

 

[Curious Hound]

Good find. Glad you got it fixed.

 

[Jazzer]