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1997 Ranger 2.3 won't turn over

Mbrooks420

Mbrooks420

High Voltage.
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1998 Mountaineer AWD
I am working on a 97 ranger 2.3 for a wife's friend. Wouldn't turn over, battery showed 12.3 volts sitting. Solenoid on the starter just clicked. Checked the connections at the battery, the fender solenoid, and on the starter. All clean, all tight. Yanked the starter. The ground wire that goes inside of it was corroded through. I think "Well thats obvious" So I get a rebuilt starter.

Put the starter in, and it TRIES to turn over. Motor spins real slow(REAL SLOW) and makes a moaning/whining sound. Tried jumper cables to the fender solenoid, and to the starter solenoid to rule out the cables. Going to test them today with the multi-meter. Took the starter in and they said it was good. Not sure if being under a load would be different than the guy jumping the posts and it free spinning. ( I asked if this is how they were going to test it so I didn't waste my time taking it back in, but they are idiots)

I put the battery in my truck, and it spins my 5.0, so I figure it shouldn't have a problem with the 2.3. Is there something I am overlooking? I really hope I can get this done today. :( I could use some help. Pretty Please? ;)
 



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Do you have any idea on how the motor was running before they could not start it. Did it overheat or was it losing power or making noises.
You should try turning the engine over by hand.Put a socket and breaker bar on the crank bolt and try spinning it.It should spin without to much effort.
 






I was kinda wondering about that. The truck is 2wd and is not driven in the winter here. They tried to start it after the weather got better, and it just clicked. Maybe the original starter motor wire burned up because the motor won't spin. It's a 5 speed, so I guess I'll roll it down the driveway and see if it runs.
 






I see..Okay...squirting some WD40 in the cylinders could not hurt if, by chance a piston or two is sticking. If they are sticking from sitting,that means they are getting some moisture where there should not be. Who knows:rolleyes:
Have fun pushing the ranger with little to no brakes and no power steering..ha..That is always fun...Not :D
 






...Subscribing to hear the final result...:popcorn:

...Other than the items already mentioned, the only other thing I can think of is to check the cables, especially the ground. You can ohms test it to see if it's corroded. The 2.3L has 2 coil packs and starts with the primary coil pack.

...If you do try and move it without starting it, be prepared to get the air out of the steering system.
 






Well, I fixed it. Right before I gave up hope. I also assumed it was a corroded wire issue, and the first thing I did was run a temp wire to the starter from the battery, and used a jumper cable to go from the negative terminal to the block.

Rolling the truck down the driveway (probably 1/8 mile decent grade would lock the rear tires in all but 5th gear. In 5th it would make a mean squealing, like the sound the starter was making. Had a friend crank it while I was looking, and the crank turned but the belt didn't. The alternator had frozen. The serpentine belt had enough grip on the frozen alternator it couldn't turn the motor over AND would lock up the wheels except in 5th gear. I have a new respect for the serpentine belt.
 






A locked up alternator..Wow, who would of thought that would be the culprit.
Glad to hear you got it going before you brought out the big hammer!!:D
 






Already had the big hammer out........ to get the battery hold down bolt out. Gotta love all this salt they spread here.
 






...Nice job on evaluating the problem...:salute:
 






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