I need help diagnosing an intermittent starter problem.

[abadk9420]

For that last week or so I have been having trouble getting my van to start on top of the other problem that you all have helped me with, sometimes I get in and it fires right up, other time it turns over slow then fires up, and now it will not turn over at all, I just get a clicking sound like the starter is trying to work but will not turn the van over, when it is running the voltage meter on the dash show that it has the correct amount of voltage, I just replaces the battery in June and the alternator maybe a year ago, I bought a used starter from a dismantler and replaces the one that was bad also in June so I am leaning towards it being the started again, but thought I would ask the Ford experts here for there advise, thanks for the help....

 

[BrooklynBay]

Have an auto parts store or a rebuilding shop test the starter. I suspect that it's bad. Check the solenoid relay on the frame near the battery, and clean the battery terminals.

 

[abadk9420]

Well it ended up being the started, we had it tested and it passed but it sounded really weak, so off to Pic N Pull we went and boy did we ever score, we found what looked like a brand new started on a 93 aerostar which turned out to be the same, went and had it tested and it sounded just like it looked, Brand New, so that saved me about $80. It also had a brand new relay so I grabbed that too. I t looked like someone was having starting problems and replaced all of the stuff and then a couple days later the van died on them and they sold it to the wrecking yard.

 

[BrooklynBay]

Thanks for the update!

 

[abadk9420]

Thanks for all of the help...

 

[ddarko]

Same thing has started happening with my X about a week ago. It sounds slow for the first few seconds and then it fires up. So far it has only failed to start the engine once. I was hoping it was the battery or a bad connection. I tried disconnecting and cleaning the terminals a few minutes ago but no change.

On a side note, I drove it around for a few minutes after reconnecting the battery and the truck feels more responsive and acceleration improved. Starting idle rpm also seems slightly lower than before. I didn't realize forcing the ECM to relearn could have such a noticeable effect (first time disconnecting the battery since I've owned it believe it or not). It must have picked up some bad habits over the years