Starter engagement issue

[tlcmbc]

I just found the forum and have a question. I have a 92 Explorer with 200,000 miles that isn't pretty but runs great. we are having extremely cold weather, wind chills -30 actual temps -15 or so. when I go out to start the truck it just makes a clink sort of sound like the starter wont engage. eventually it will engage and start. what is causing this? it isn't s clicking like you hear when the battery is dead, battery is fine. thank for any help. Tim

 

[cgbier]

Solenoid is stuck a bit I'd assume.

In that cold, I'd refuse to work too. Hope for you guys it'll get warmer soon.

 

[pkn]

Hi and welcome to the forum!

I still think it's the battery. Under strong cold acid-lead battery tends to lose its ability to provide high current needed for starter. It's not like battery loosing its charge, its a different process, just the outcome look similar.

To make sure, you can take the battery inside the house for the night, to keep it warm. This is what we often did back then when I was living in Siberia

 

[pkn]

I just recalled one more "siberian" trick to squeeze juice from a cold battery. Before trying starter, turn on headlights for few minutes. Current provided for the headlihgts will warm the batterys intestines a little and help the battery to work the starter.

This only works, of course, if you are sure the battery is good and fully charged.

 

[Karpov]

Heh


All americans (v engine)with a have owned are worked like you said with poor battery. "normal" cars with poor battery says wou wou wou before battery is dead but americans with v engines are just clicking even tought battery isnt totally dead.



In Finland that temperatures are normally in winter. Batteries have cold start markings (i dont remember term) so even battery is good ah / a ratings it wont allways work winter wery well..


If its extremely cold i dont suggest headlights on etc, i shut all things off (radio, lights, blower and interiorlights).


If you charge battery but it warm on couple hours before you charge it. It can be bang or broke half if its freezed.

 

[tlcmbc]

thanks for all your help.

 

[pkn]

How did it work out for you? What was the reason?

 

[tlcmbc]

I believe it was the bitter cold and solenoid wouldn't engage. fine now.

 

[Karpov]

In my car did same on yesterday. Clink allways when you turned key.


Brushing was bad, two of fur was weared off and two was very little.


So check out if you had same, its lucky if it works but if it stalls somewhere nasty place...