93 Explorer that won't turn over, just clicks

[kesslergranite]

My truck was working fine and then this morning it just made a loud click and did nothing. Every time I turned the key it just clicked one time kinda loud from what sounded like something around where the battery is located. Do I need a new starter or do you think it could be just the starter solenoid? I tried tapping the starter lightly with a hammer like a friend showed me, but it still wouldn't turn over.

 

[SPORTEXP]

How old is the battery?

 

[geoph1986]

It could be a number of things. Bad battery, bad connections, bad starter relay, bad starter, bad cables, etc.
I would start by checking the battery and the connections.

 

[fixxxer]

Battery, battery cables -loose and/or corroded, check both ends and all the ground straps. Just 1 solid click when you turn the key? no rapid stuttering? possible bad starter solenoid on the fender, not the starter motor solenoid. It could be any or all of the above mentioned.

 

[kesslergranite]

The battery isn't new at all. I just got the truck a few weeks ago so I don't know exactly. It is a little corroded though. I will check that first then go from there. Thanks.

 

[BrianDye]

This happened to my buddy when he tried to use a screwdriver to start it from the battery to solenoid, something popped, then all that would happen when he turned the key is that loud click by the battery, check the wires going to the actual starter, one of his was like dry-rotted so it snapped and that was his problem, i would bet money its not your battery

 

[jtb1689]

I had a similar problem not too long ago. Thinking it could be the starter and all the above it was just the battery. May be worth your while to go get the battery tested or just replace it so you don't have to for a while.

 

[gman1234]

It could be a number of things. Bad battery, bad connections, bad starter relay, bad starter, bad cables, etc.
I would start by checking the battery and the connections.

Second that. If you have growth on your terminals this is another bad sign. Clean that crap off. If it clicks there is most likely a loss of power along the lines or your battery is hooped. A lot of times a combination of things will domino to the point you are at. Your connections begin to corrode, your begin drawing on your battery, holding less charge. Time goes by and you battery is pooched, your connections are rotten and your on the forums wondering why your truck just clicks

 

[Spdrcer34]

I would say it is the starter.

The 4.0L uses a PMGR (Permanent Magnet, Gear Reduction) Starter. They are VERY reliable, but give ZERO indication that they are about to fail. It will work 100% right up until the day it stops working.

When I took my starter in for testing, 1 place (CSK auto) said it was GOOD. While the other place (AutoZone) said it was bad.

I replaced it, and it fired right up like it is supposed to.

Ryan

 

[Verno]

Second that. If you have growth on your terminals this is another bad sign. Clean that crap off. If it clicks there is most likely a loss of power along the lines or your battery is hooped. A lot of times a combination of things will domino to the point you are at. Your connections begin to corrode, your begin drawing on your battery, holding less charge. Time goes by and you battery is pooched, your connections are rotten and your on the forums wondering why your truck just clicks

X3 on that. First thing is clean terminals and cables; reconnect and tighten. Test battery (voltmeter is ok) and possibly put on an automatic charger while cleaning cables. If it starts you've discovered your problem. Always start with the power source, work towards the load.

 

[geoph1986]

If you have growth on your terminals this is another bad sign. Clean that crap off.

I have discovered something interesting, on my X the + post on the battery would get extreme corrosion, after only a couple of days. After talking to a buddy of mine who only works on automotive electrical, he suggested that I had a bad ground, even though the truck would start with no problem. I ran a short ground strap from the neg. post of the battery to the body and no more white fuzzy stuff. I do not believe this was a proper fix, but more of a band aid.

 

[weaselfox]

Like verno said always start at your power source and go from there, a common problem with these (happened to mine) is the connection of the small red wire going to the starter, the o.e. spade connection fails and dosen't carry enough amp. the aftermarket ring style connection has to be spliced, and sometimes the splicing can get corroded/oily etc.. so if you have battery power, check that small red starter wire. All i did was resplice mine and it fired right up.

 

[mikeinri]

I agree with those above. Here's the order to check:

Battery
Battery connections
Battery cables
Solenoid (aka relay)
Starter

The least expensive parts are the negative cable and solenoid. The positive cable, starter and battery are the most expensive.

I had a bad solenoid on my 94 Explorer that had the exact symptoms you are having (one loud click).

If I had to guess, I would say your cables are probably shot. If you have lots of corrosion on the terminals, your cables are most likely corroded (they corrode from the inside, sometimes you can't see how bad they are without cutting them). That may not be your only problem, but you do need to inpsect these carefully and replace if they look bad, as they will kill your battery over time as others have mentioned.

If you don't know the age of the battery, consider replacing it for peace of mind if nothing else.

Hope this helps.

Mike

 

[xekrubx]

I get the same problem if i disconnect my battery and dont reconnect it well enough. I turn the key to on and everything lights up and i hear the fuel pump whir but i turn forward to start and one loud click and everything is dead.
My truck came with these neat toolless connections that have a lever like a quick disconnect bicycle rim. I noticed the terminals werent in the best shape and and neither was the insides of the connectors. I used a wire brush and made sure they were super tight and the truck started right up.

 

[cogs]

battery grease will stop the white acid for awhile. the acid will eat into your cable, literally rotting it off. then you'll have to splice the cable with a new one, like they said. so keep them clean. but for your immediate problem, it's probably your positive cable, or the solenoid, esp if you cannot get a start from a jump.

 

[SwaintaN]

i agree with all the above, lol, yeah mine dide that a week after i bought it.. just **** on me... made a loud click, but i took a MFH to the starter while wife tried it, BAM started.. got it home, wouldnt start again...

2 years later... same thing, BUT it was the main ground wire was all corded and didnt want to work.

both gave me the loud click near the battery....

 

[geoph1986]

i took a MFH

I've always called it a BFH....What's a MFH?...nevermind I figured it out, it must mean massive, right? lol

 

[SwaintaN]

I've always called it a BFH....What's a MFH?...nevermind I figured it out, it must mean massive, right? lol

yuppers

 

[rustbucketMI]

Any report on the problem?

A neat trick i learned the other say is to put baking soda in water, mix it up and slowely pout it on your terminals. The strong base reacts with the acid on the connectors, essentialyl baking soda and vinegar. Takes off all the white stuff, Make sure you are in a well ventilated area. this wont get corrosion on the inside of hte connectors so you'll have to take those off an clean them manually. Start with this.

 

[Verno]

Any report on the problem?

A neat trick i learned the other say is to put baking soda in water, mix it up and slowely pout it on your terminals. The strong base reacts with the acid on the connectors, essentialyl baking soda and vinegar. Takes off all the white stuff, Make sure you are in a well ventilated area. this wont get corrosion on the inside of hte connectors so you'll have to take those off an clean them manually. Start with this.

Back in the 70'S and 80'S we would pour some COKE (Coca-Cola for you younger generation) on the terminals to clean them. Never have drank it since I saw it "eat" away the corrosion.