Starter or solenoid??

ranger_blue_92 · 03-08-2011, 07:42 PM

The little Ranger has decided not to start. We get a click at the solenoid and juice goes to the post connected to the starter when we turn the switch. My guess is the starter. Opinions??

Thanks in advance.

*Roadrunner777* · 03-08-2011, 08:47 PM

Ok, one thing in talking starters is the names of the parts. The item you are testing through is on the fender? That is actually the starter relay. There is also, oddly enough, a solenoid mounted to the side of the starter that is used as any other solenoid, pushing out the starter gear and sending power through contacts to the starter motor.

Ford didn't used to do this so much, my old pinto just had a positive cable to the starter, and the starter windings pushed out the starter drive gear with a magnet on a pivot.

Ok, anyway, do you hear a clunk when you turn the key? That would be the solenoid. If you don't get that clunk, then you have a solenoid issue at the starter or a bad connection from the relay to the solenoid. If you do get the clunk, it could still be the solenoid because it has contacts that burn out. Or it could be the starter itself. Or, it could be a bad ground from battery to block, happened to me once. Clean the battery terminals just for the heck of it. I have seen bad battery connections do unpredictable things such as this. The fact you have voltage leaving the relay does not support this, but I'd do it anyway.

I don't see anything else in the schematic to cause this.

ranger_blue_92 · 03-09-2011, 10:03 PM

You are correct. It is on the fender so it is the relay. I'll check out your suggestions. Thanks for the help.

03-08-2011, 07:42 PM	#1
ranger_blue_92 Wannabe Elite Explorer Devol, OK 92 Ranger Join Date: Jan 2008 Posts: 26 Vehicle Specs (Original Poster)	Starter or solenoid?? The little Ranger has decided not to start. We get a click at the solenoid and juice goes to the post connected to the starter when we turn the switch. My guess is the starter. Opinions?? Thanks in advance.

03-08-2011, 08:47 PM	#2
Roadrunner777 Bemidji, MN 94 4x4 Sport 88k Join Date: Feb 2011 Posts: 1,253 Vehicle Specs	Ok, one thing in talking starters is the names of the parts. The item you are testing through is on the fender? That is actually the starter relay. There is also, oddly enough, a solenoid mounted to the side of the starter that is used as any other solenoid, pushing out the starter gear and sending power through contacts to the starter motor. Ford didn't used to do this so much, my old pinto just had a positive cable to the starter, and the starter windings pushed out the starter drive gear with a magnet on a pivot. Ok, anyway, do you hear a clunk when you turn the key? That would be the solenoid. If you don't get that clunk, then you have a solenoid issue at the starter or a bad connection from the relay to the solenoid. If you do get the clunk, it could still be the solenoid because it has contacts that burn out. Or it could be the starter itself. Or, it could be a bad ground from battery to block, happened to me once. Clean the battery terminals just for the heck of it. I have seen bad battery connections do unpredictable things such as this. The fact you have voltage leaving the relay does not support this, but I'd do it anyway. I don't see anything else in the schematic to cause this. __________________ 1st Gen Fuel Pressure Not ready for prime time link list KD0SCJ

03-09-2011, 10:03 PM	#3
ranger_blue_92 Wannabe Elite Explorer Devol, OK 92 Ranger Join Date: Jan 2008 Posts: 26 Vehicle Specs (Original Poster)	You are correct. It is on the fender so it is the relay. I'll check out your suggestions. Thanks for the help. Last edited by ranger_blue_92; 03-09-2011 at 10:04 PM. Reason: Man, my grammar sucks.