Clicking Sound Whenever I Turn the Key to Start

[VBVA]

My Explorer won't start, but whenever I turn the key over I hear a clicking sound coming from the over near the battery. Now I know this is where the solenoid is located, but could my starter be broken? I just called a shop and they said they thought my starter was burnt out, I don't think this is what needs to be replaced, but the guy said he would quote "look at it." This usually means he will charge me an arm and a leg to replace stuff that doesn't need to be replaced. Any ideas on what needs to be fixed if my electrical system clicks when I turn the key?

 

[Lifted95X]

Have you tried jumping it??

 

[davesexplorer]

well if its makin noise that means its gettin power, but when ive ran my battery out,(sound system+not running=dead X) the starter makes a clicking sound, cuz its not getting enough power, i think, anyways first try a jump start, and then check your battery!

 

[VBVA]

I did try to jumpstart it. I had it connected up with the cables for about 15 minutes and still got the same sound. I am gonna try that once more today, if not I am gonna tow it to the shop and have them take a look at it, cause I am dumbfounded.

 

[Opera House]

How cheap can you get

On occasion, I would try to start my 97 Explorer and it would just click. Knowing it was something that would never strand me, ((((((((you can just jumper the two big lugs of the solenoid, )))))) I put off the repair till it took about six turns of the key to start it. I've always had a curiosity for how things fail so I removed the solenoid and CAREFULLY drilled out the four base rivets. This is a plastic that cracks easily. Inside one lead of the coil is welded to the backplate and the other is soldered to a wire that goes to the small screw connection on top. I cut this top screw wire and removed the coil assembly. When the copper contacts were exposed, the were coated with this light powder blue coating. I've never seen a coating like this. It was almost iridescent. Scraped the contacts with a small chisel and sandpaper till they were bright. The copper contacts are heavy and showed almost no wear. Reassembled the solenoid, soldered the wire, and secured the backplate with four pop rivets. Maybe I saved $16. Just a lot of fun to see what you can fix.

Note: the two big luggs on the starter solenoid operate the plunger on the starter which pulls in the gear and operates the contacts that connect the battery to the starter. You can jumper these two any time. Key on of off and it will crank the engine. If it still doesn't work, there is a small wire that goes to a 1/4 inch spade connector. This gets corroded sometimes. Finally the heavy wire to the starter sometimes has a bad connection at the starter. loosen and re tighten. A lot of starters get replaced for no reason because connections are bad. Of course reolacing the starter fixes them!

 

[tmanson]

I had the same problem with my 94. To diagnosis it if first checked that the solenoid on the fender had power going out when the key was turned and there was. I then whacked the starter with a hammer and it started. So I concluded it was the starter.

When I changed my starter I figured it was like the many other Ford starters I had changed before. I did not disconnect the battery because with a solenoid in line there is no power to the starter. I did think it was funny that there was a solenoid on the starter but did not give it much thought until I grounded out the wrench while removing the wire from the starter. Well there was a cool display of flying sparks followed by me saying dangit. Any way after changing the starter it worked fine.

 

[VBVA]

Thats what I needed, a new starter. Shop called me after I spent 2 hours waiting for a tow truck and told me that the starter was bad. Pisses me off. I realize that things get old (especially on a soon to be 10 year old truck), but I just bought this thing in May and I have already put $800 into in repairs.