93 explorer- no start

[Nick2x2]

Followed the troubleshooting chart and ended up at the starter..
When ignition is switched to start there is a single "click" then nothing. Vehicle is a manual and was able to start and run smooth when bump started. I've tested up to checking voltage at pin 85 on the starter motor relay and found source voltage. Now before i pull the starter and inspect it on this 100 degree day does anyone have any ideas?

Note: When the engine is running and the ignition is turned to crank, the starter doesn't engage and grind against the flywheel

 

[Anime]

Usually this is just from high mileage and worn down starter brushes. You can diagnose this by getting under the vehicle and giving the starter a whack with a piece of wood or a rubber hammer, something that won't damage it. If the vehicle then starts normally, it's almost always the starter brushes.

The brushes just wear down, and at a certain point, no longer have enough contact material or spring tension to maintain contact on the armature inside the starter. Giving it a whack gets the brushes to contact the armature ever so slighty more, just enough to do the job. This can work for quite a few more starts, but it's a pain to get under the vehicle to start it every time.

If you have tools and can do the work, you can buy the brush assembly for $10-15, pull the starter, remove the front cap, replace the brush assembly, and be good to go. Some people elect to just replace the entire starter, although most new units at low prices are completely made in China, and quality rebuilt starters cost quite a bit and probably also use China-made parts.

If you still get the starter click after whacking the starter, and giving it more whacks doesn't help, it might be something else, either a low battery, corroded wiring/poor connection, or even just the starter solenoid (either the one on the fender near the battery, or the one on the starter itself) going bad.

 

[Nick2x2]

Thanks for the advice, I've checked the B terminal and it has source voltage. I cant access the other terminals but I can see that they are secure and corrosion free. Tried whacking it and it started!

 

[Maniak]

First, eliminate the starter relay (solenoid actually) on the fender...

You'll see a a wire running down from the fender starter solenoid down to the solenoid that is part of the starter.. That is the starter signal wire...

Jump power from the battery to the starter signal wire where it connects to the solenoid on the fender.

If the motor turns over, the starter itself (and the solenoid on the starter) is fine and the problem is you aren't "telling" the starter to run. that would be the solenoid on the fender or the clutch bypass switch is bad and the start signal isn't making it to the fender solenoid..

If the above doesn't work, you can bypass all the wiring to the starter using jumper cables.

If you look at the starter, you have a heavy (looks like a ground cable) wire running from the solenoid that is "on" the starter to the starter itself. Take a jumper cable and connect it to the starter where that flat wire from the starter solenoid @ the starter connects to the starter. Be careful it doesn't touch anything other than the wire... Now take the other end of the jumper cable and touch the 12v side of the battery.. If it runs over the starter motor is good and we can then work on testing the solenoid @ the starter..

~Mark

Edit: aparently, I didn't hit submit on the post until much later.. and Anime already responded. Since whacking the starter fixed it, replace the starter.. That is one of the tests to know if it is actually the starter..

 

[Nick2x2]

yep its the starter, would the brush assembly be worth changing or should i just change the entire starter?

 

[Maniak]

yep its the starter, would the brush assembly be worth changing or should i just change the entire starter?

I debated this myself not too long ago. The starter on our mustang was starting to make new noises when cold.. I was going to rebuild it (hence the debate with myself), but it is harder to find the parts AND although I'd re fixing a factory starter. I just bought a new (non rebuilt one) so I'd get all new parts instead of changing out the only currently bad part only to find other parts are still going bad due to age/use.

~Mark