Starting trouble--just one click

[Teddydog]

My 92 Explorer has been sitting on the street all summer because it wouldn't start. I'm finally getting back to trying to fix it so I'll have my spare vehicle back for the winter. I had recently had some service done (front end work, new serpentine belt), drove it a couple of times and then it wouldn't start one day when I wanted to make a "propane run".

What it does: turn the key and I get just one loud click or clunk. Radio and lights all still work.

I tried jumping it without change. I took the battery in and put in an a charger without success. Still thinking that is NOT a battery problem, I bought a new one anyway because it probablay needed it anyway. No change.

I really would like to try to get this fixed myself rather than to have it towed to a shop as I don't think it is that hard of a fix, but after the battery I'm not sure where to start looking. I don't want to just replace a bunch of parts.

Thanks for thoughts & suggestions!

Rob

 

[justinf89]

Could be the starter solenoid, def. sounds like it.

 

[Teddydog]

I just looked at a parts website and they show two different ones...one starter mounted and on not. The "not" one looks like what I have mounted to the side of the engine bay just behind the battery and in front of the fuse box. That would be an easy fix! (I thought it was a starter relay...is that the same thing?).

Rob

 

[Lacky01]

the starter solenoid/relay is in fact on the fender in your '92. if the vehicle is in park/neutral, the e-brake is on, and the ignition is on, you should be able to jump the connections on the relay to start the truck. I would suggest having an able body in the drivers seat for extra safety

 

[ragajungle]

Rob,
I had a similar issue on my 94 Ex. It turned out to be a bad NEG wire from the battery terminal. It has several leads off of it and is a stocked part at NAPA $24. Mine would click once and go dead. I jiggled the NEG wires and all power would return until I went to start it again. Click dead. Sometimes it happened when I hit a bump. I know you said you still have all power but it is worth looking into.

Good Luck

 

[Teddydog]

Thanks, guys. For about $20, I'll try the relay/solenoid as it is an easy fix, not too expensive and likely to need to be replaced soon anyway (18 years old and 150k+ miles).

Rob

 

[Teddydog]

Well, the operation was successful, but the patient died. I replaced the solenoid switch (that's what NAPA called it) but have no change to the situation. Jumping across the two terminals on the switch with the key "On" generated the same click as turning the key.

Any new suggestions?

Rob

 

[engera]

Did you pull the starter yet to see if it is locked up? Once you pull it out you can make sure the gear spins freely and it should be in the retracted position. I believe you can also remove the starter and take it in and it can be checked to make sure it is bad before replacing. One other thing is you can tap on the side of the starter and this can sometimes free them up. The tapping can be done before it is pulled but I have to say I have had limited success with this but it is easy to try.

 

[Lacky01]

disconnect the cables and be sure there isn't any corrosion in them.
also, in my 98 there is a relay in the power distribution box for the starter system. double check that yours doesn't have something like that.

 

[SoNic67]

The loud "clank" is when the main relay INSIDE the solenoid atracts the armature. That in turn, should "make" a heavy-duty internal contact (some 500A) to allow curent to flow to the starter motor.
If that internal heavy-duty contact is fried, nothing is gonna work after that loud "clank". Starter, in this case, needs to be replaced.

Of course, I assume that all the "thick" cables (the ground and the positive to the starter main lead) are properly connected.

 

[Teddydog]

I have not yet checked out anything on the starter itself. One of the problems I have working on this is that it "died" out front at the curb (and slightly downhill). I cannot easily get under it at all and certainly not from the driver's side (my legs would probably get run over). In its current position, I don't think it would be safe to jack it up to put it on stands due to the hill. I'm not skinny enough to wriggle underneath without some extra clearance.

Rob