hmmm...will it start?

[born2drive]

Good Evening, i've have a little problem... I have a 1993 Explorer 4.0 V6 4x4. On occasion, (this has happend twice in the last month). I turn the key, and it acts like theres a dead battery. I keep turning the key, and evenutally it will start. it goes from dead (and i loose the radio presets) to starting like theres nothing wrong. Its like there isn't a connection somewhere. But it is drawing power when i turn the key to the "start" position because i loose the presets and the lights dim.

When i first turn the key, it seems like there is a dead battery. Nothing happens. Until the fourth or fitfth time i try it. THen it starts right up. Not slow or anyhing.

Any ideas would be greatly appriciated,
John

 

[sajnaj]

bad batery conection

 

[born2drive]

if there was a bad battery connection, would that mean that everything would go off for a second? the dome light and the dash lights never go out, they just dim

 

[sajnaj]

then that does not explain the loss of ur pre sets

 

[MrShorty]

Sounds like what mine does (down to losing the radio presets) when I have a bad/corroded cable connection at the battery. I would start by cleaning the battery posts and making sure the connectors are tight.

 

[MyExpWork]

Sounds like what mine does (down to losing the radio presets) when I have a bad/corroded cable connection at the battery. I would start by cleaning the battery posts and making sure the connectors are tight.

I agree. Occasionly my battery posts will get really corroded. It will not crank and give some symptons of a dead battery. Lift hood, disconnect cables, clean connections=good as new.

 

[Brokenben]

if there was a bad battery connection, would that mean that everything would go off for a second? the dome light and the dash lights never go out, they just dim

If cleaning the battery Connections and cables don't help, I would check your ground.

 

[97BlackX5.0]

if that still doesnt fix it. follow the battery cable up to the solenoid on the fenderwell somewhere..... i know fords are notorious for these going bad and giving you a clicking sound like you have a dead battery... its not a very expensive part.... about 6-10 bucks from a parts store... and pretty easy to put in....


1... Bad connection
2... Bad ground
3... Bad solenoid
4... Starter dead spot

 

[born2drive]

good evening!
thanks a lot for all the advise. i will clean the battery cables tomorrow and see if it happens again.

thanks again
John

 

[VBVA]

One loud click equals bad starter, many loud clicks equals dull battery and the starter doesn't have enough juice to fully engage. Check both your cables, pos and neg, for corrosion. The neg goes to the fender wall above the pass side front tire and the pos connects to the solenoid on the pass side of the engine bay and the starter on the engine underneath the driver's seat. I had this problem too and I went through two batteries, two sets of cables, and two solenoids before everything worked out fine.

 

[born2drive]

part 2...

okay, now theres more to the equasion. i cleaned the battery terminals and they look fine now.

Now the battery light goes on after about 2200 rpm. (accelerating or cruising at highway speeds) The battery guage goes down to below the "N" on normal. Any idea what is causing this? I have a friend that seems to think that it is the voltage regulator.

Thanks,
John

 

[slag]

I believe the voltage regulators are internal to our alternators. Take your alternator off and go get it bench tested. My odds are on the fact your alternator went south.

 

[born2drive]

where is a good shop to get it bench tested. as far as i know there are no autozones around here. But there is a Krangen and a Pepboys.

Thanks

 

[born2drive]

I got the alternator tested and they said that it was okay. But their test did not take it over 2200 RPM. They then said that it might be the battery and if i brought it in, they could check on it. They checked it and everything checked out.

All the battery cables seem to look fine, they were replaced within the last five years or so.

Thanks for any ideas
John

 

[pmcmaster]

John,
When its doing its 'no start' have you tried jump leads from a good battery? If no different try clamping the earth jump lead to the engine cause your prob sounds like a bad earth connection to the engine. The moisture in the the corroded connection prevents the current flow which causes the voltage drop which effects the radio etc, after several attempts the heat generated at the poor connection will dry out the moisture and the contact will be good enough for power to the starter.