94 starting woes

[snocross1985]

Well, my 94 is having some emotional troubles. I can turn the key to "Start" sometimes it will start fine, other times the starter doesn't even try to turn. It will start if I turn it back to off then back to start, or hold it in start long enough and it will turn. Like I said though, it only happens sometimes, not all the time. What could be causing this? Starter? Solenoid? A Relay?

 

[BrooklynBay]

It sounds like your battery might have a bad cell. It discharges through the other cells, and then builds up enough voltage to start.

 

[snocross1985]

Interesting. Anyone else have any ideas?

 

[BrooklynBay]

AutoZone could test your battery for free while it is still in your vehicle.

 

[MrShorty]

What could be causing this? Starter? Solenoid? A Relay?

Yes.

Any one of those three could cause your problem. Bad connections/bad cables could also be involved in the problem. As noted, a bad battery could be the problem.

Sometimes diagnosis is about taking the possible causes and eliminating them one by one until you find the actual cause.

As noted, most parts stores will do a load test on your battery for free. Some of them can even test starter motors if you take it out and bring it in to them. Because your problem is intermittent, it's always possible that they will test fine, but still be bad, but that might be a good place to start.

When my starter motor went out, I could get it to start by tapping on the motor.

Just recently, I went through some trouble starting my Explorer because the clamp that holds the negative cable to the battery post stretched or something so it wouldn't clamp down tight enough to make a good connection.

 

[BrooklynBay]

Corrosion on the terminals could also cause an intermittent problem. I've seen this happen. It is about to start, then it quickly dies out.

 

[snocross1985]

Got the battery tested today. Battery is still in good shape. i guess i will have to start looking for bad conections/corrosion.

 

[snocross1985]

Well, it left me stranded yesterday. Drove over to the local cafe and she would not start. Was about ready to give up and call AAA, when it finally turned aafter 40 minutes of trying to start it. After inspection it appears to be the starter itself. I am replacing the starter today along with the belt tensioner which looks like its about to fall off.

 

[snocross1985]

Replaced the starter, still not working right. Contacts all look good, this sucks, because I need to be able to go to work tonight!

 

[BrooklynBay]

Did you check the starter solenoid on the frame near the battery?

 

[snocross1985]

Thats what i am going out to check now