92 ford explorer troubles, can ya help a gal out?

[countrygirl1313]

ok so i have a manual 92 ford explorer that has been a stubborn ass for the last two weeks and won't wake up. About two weeks ago i was trying to teach a friend how to drive stick... he killed it coming out of the driveway because he sucks at driving stick then got it started again and drove three blocks and killed it at the light.... it wouldn't start again.

I thought that it may have been the little red wire on the starter... it has fallen off a few times before and everytime i put it back on it started right back up. However i checked it and it was fine.... still wouldnt start. It still had power and would just do the one click and thats it....

So then i pushed it back to the house and found i melted part of the wiring harness on the exaughst manifold so i took that off saudered it back together (yes i checked my connections and it is fine) then put that back on and still nothing.... then i discovered i had also melted my positive battery cable so i replaced that one two days ago.... and had a friend help me push start it and jump the clutch and it ran fine.... however its not starting with the key

so.... i replaced the starter solenoid/ starter relay (whatever you want to call it its mounted on the side wall next to the battery my stock one had 3 post the new one has 4 and the extra one isnt being used) thinking that i may have shorted it out when i melted the wires. but its still doing the same thing everything turns on, one click and it wont start....

what do i do now? please help... i got RSP and Military appointments i gotta make before i ship out in November

 

[Backwoods "X"]

Does it do this everytime that you try the key, or simply one click and nothing else? It could be that the switch is cooked, up on the top of the steering column. Have you tried to "jump" the solenoid yet? I would try that. I had to "bypass" the switch in our old Bronco because of a similar problem.

 

[countrygirl1313]

it does the one click and nothing else everytime (it does have power to the windows stero lights door ding ect.)... its been doing that since it died two weeks ago it did the one click and nothing else everytime the small red wire on the starter came off too.

Not gunna lie im far from an expert at this and i have no clue how to "jump the solenoid"... i am very limited to tools at the time because i recently moved to cali and joined the service....

 

[Joe Dirt]

Basically, you'll touch both posts on the starter solenoid with a screwdriver- one that has the wire running to the starter, and the one that runs to the battery. You're turning the screwdriver into the switch.

Someone in the truck, in neutral, clutch in. Key turned to on, and you touch the solenoid terminals with the screwdriver.

This thing:

Clear as mud?

 

[countrygirl1313]

Ok I will try that thanks!

 

[FIND]

Use a jumper cable, one end attached to one of the bolts on the starter, another to the negative terminal on your battery, see if that improves your situation. If so, you need to add a new engine ground.

 

[Currency]

I believe your right on the money Joe Dirt. Had similar issues with my solenoid this summer. Changed it and got a new starter just because I had the spare money and everything works fine. It did fire up after replacing the solenoid, the starter was just an extra since I get 33% off at NAPA. Thanks pawpaw.

 

[mr cribb]

it does the one click and nothing else everytime (it does have power to the windows stero lights door ding ect.)... its been doing that since it died two weeks ago it did the one click and nothing else everytime the small red wire on the starter came off too.

i am very limited to tools at the time because i recently moved to cali and joined the service....

Mine did that when I replaced the clutch... click no start. I put on a new fender well starter solenoid... same thing. checked wires to starter. I wound up putting a battery in it. Solved my problem. I had 10.24 volts on my battery.... just enough to power my windows, lights, door ding thing and that's it.

Is there a way maybe a buddy can come over and jump start your truck? If so then drive it to an auto parts store and test the charging system. The other option is to take the battery to the auto parts store. But you still need a way to get there

Now if you have a multi-meter you can test the battery yourself.


Thanks for joining the service... I've been in 10 yrs now.

 

[countrygirl1313]

I tried jumping the solenoid ( the one I replaced) with a screw driver and it didn't work.... tried nuking it with another car and that didn't work..... didn't try the jumper cables on the ground....

Proud to serve our country thanks for ur support!

 

[BWTGUY]

Suggestion.

Disconnect the battery terminals and try getting your buddy to help start your truck by connecting the negative jumper cable from his/her battery (Car turned off) to your car's ground (Brace/Mount for the alternator to the engine) and with the positive side connected to your positive battery cable (Be extra careful to keep the two cables from touching one another and special attention to keeping the plus [positive] terminal from touching ANYTHING but the battery cable).

You then, try starting the Ex the normal way but leave it in neutral w/parking brake on.

If it starts and runs, your battery has bought a plot and you need a new one, if you have the same results, then you need to have your starter checked. All that is based on what you have already done.

PS, I spent 22 years in the USMC. You go girl!

 

[mr cribb]

PS, I spent 22 years in the USMC. You go girl!

Dang born in Okla(seen you comment on 59ford100 earlier), and a Marine! Rock on!!

I've been playing Army for 10 yrs so far. Born in T-town myself.

 

[BWTGUY]

Long Life

Yeah but I was born there in 1934... I beat the odds and have now collected the retired-retainer pay since 1974! 37 years...sigh makes you feel real old. Died once and was brought back to life after not breathing nor a heart beat for 34 minutes. They build us tough in OK.

 

[grihn]

Mine had this same issue a few months back (click no start). I replaced the starter at it fixed the issue...didn't replace the solenoid...I picked up a remanufactured starter at AutoZone...I think it was around $70.

EDIT

If you aren't already aware you can take your starter into somewhere like AutoZone and they can test it before you buy a new one.

 

[Currency]

You could just unbolt your starter and run jumper cables from a battery that you know if good. I tested my first one from NAPA after it did not engage. The second one I tested as well and it spun like no other.

 

[AKMark]

You might be 'clicking' in several different places. One is the key switch, another is the solenoid, and the third is the starter itself (under the motor on the passenger side).

If the click is the key, remove the push on (small) wire from the solenoid and test it. It should have 12v while the key is in the start position. If it does then your start circuit is OK.

The Solenoid is a high current relay. When the small wire gets 12v from the key switch, the relay closes and connects the + battery directly to the starter. You can test the solenoid by shorting directly across the two large posts with the heavy cables. Jump them with an old screwdriver or pliers because the large spark can damage them.

Sending power to the starter does two things. The first is to push a gear out of the front of the starter to engage the starter to the motor (takes little power), and the second is to actually turn the motor to start it (takes a lot of power).

If shorting the solenoid gets you just a click from the starter then it may be that your battery is only providing enough power to engage the starter and not enough power to crank it, it could also be that the starter has failed. You test this by simply jump starting the truck. It is possible (but uncommon) that the cable from the solenoid to the starter is damaged, but this is very unlikely. I mention it only in case nothing else works.

Hope this helps, let us know what gets you rolling. And, thank you for your service. All three of my kids went Army after 9/11.

mp