Random starts, then just 1 click won't turn over

[twink90]

We have a 94 explorer thats been giving us grief for over a year. It would randomly start then do nothing. We replaced fuel filter, fuel pump, battery, starter, cylanoid by fender.
The alarm system also randomly would go off lights flickering, horn honking, radio quit working then would come on. So we popped off rear panal & unplugged module with 11 wires. Radio worked, explorer started 2 times now nothing again. When you turn it over there is just 1 click where & the cylanoid is working.

Anyone know where all the ground wires are located? We are so tired of this truck but have so much money into.

It also started one time after we replaced the cylanoid. After that just 1 click & won't turn over.

 

[Anime]

The 'click' from an old stock starter is usually because the starter brushes have worn out and aren't making good contact with the armature. Cheaper and better fix than a new starter is just buying the brush assembly (Brush assembly is Borg Warner part no X379, $20-30) and replacing it, if you have the tools and know-how to pop the cap end off the starter, take the old brush assembly out and put the new one in. Temp fix is to just whack the starter with a rubber hammer/block of wood/shoe/boot to jostle the brushes to make contact.

If you mean the engine starts then dies, you may have other issues. If there are a variety of electrical issues, you might want to pull the ECM/PCM (the computer 'brain' in the passenger side kick panel) and take off the cover to see if the capacitors are leaking electrolyte onto the circuit board. This is common with older vehicles as Ford used sub-par quality capacitors that don't last. Fix is to get a refurb ECM/PCM with the same computer codes as on the label.

 

[awood]

Below is a copy/paste from another thread. I would also add that one of the "weird" things that happened to me was when going to start, the starter would not disengage when I released the key switch. I had to hurry and undo the battery cable to stop it from cranking......

Weird stuff can happen if you have a shorted wire or cable. I had the cable (that runs between the battery and starter) short out when the insulation rubbed through to the frame about half way down to the starter. Might be worth a look for all the wires and cables in the circuit.

Voltage drop testing works very well:
http://www.fluke.com/fluke/usen/comm...seVoltDrop.htm

 

[DonnieFB]

random starts

i had trouble with mind not starting sometimes when the key was turned. i had a relay under the hood bad. it took a year to find. i dont remember the number on that relay, sorry. they are not that expensive from dealer or junk yard. good luck