my starter is not working to crank the engine over?

Hi,

First, make sure the battery you installed is charged, the battery cables are clean and tight, and there is nothing that appears damaged on the wiring.

Next, you indicated that it cranked slow. Is the slow cranking what caused it to be hard to start?

As far as the one click, if it is coming from the starter, either we have a weak connection, weak battery, or the starter is bad. Here is a link that explains how to check the starter. You will need a helper. Note that the larger wire on the starter has 12v at all times, so be careful when working around it. The smaller wire on the starter show only have 12v when the key is turned to the start position. If you have 12v to the smaller wire and everything I mentioned to check is good, replace the starter motor.

Here is the link:

https://www.2carpros.com/articles/starter-not-working-repair

If you find the starter is bad, here is a link that explains in general how one is replaced:

https://www.2carpros.com/articles/how-to-replace-a-starter-motor

Here are the directions specific to your vehicle for removal and replacement:

_____________________________

1995 Ford Truck Explorer 4WD V6-245 4.0L
Removal and Installation
Vehicle Starting and Charging Starting System Starter Motor Service and Repair Procedures Removal and Installation
REMOVAL AND INSTALLATION
WARNING: WHEN SERVICING STARTER MOTOR OR PERFORMING ANY MAINTENANCE IN THE AREA OF THE STARTER MOTOR, NOTE THE HEAVY GAUGE INPUT LEAD CONNECTED TO THE STARTER SOLENOID IS HOT AT ALL TIMES. MAKE SURE THE PROTECTIVE CAP IS INSTALLED OVER THE TERMINAL AND IS REPLACED AFTER SERVICE.

REMOVAL
1. Disconnect the battery ground cable.
2. Raise and support the vehicle.
3. Disconnect starter cable and push-on connector from starter solenoid.

CAUTION: When disconnecting hard-shell connector at S terminal, grasp the plastic shell and pull off. Do not pull on wire. Be careful to pull straight off to prevent damage to the connector and S terminal. If any part of the connection is damaged, replace the damaged components.

4. Remove upper bolt.
5. Remove lower bolt.
6. Remove the starter motor from the vehicle.

INSTALLATION
1. Position starter motor to engine and install upper and lower bolt finger-tight.
2. Tighten the upper bolt to 22-28 Nm (16-21 Lb-Ft).
3. Tighten the lower bolt to 22-28 Nm (16-21 Lb-Ft).
4. Connect connector on starter solenoid. Be careful to push straight on and make sure connector locks in position with a notable click or detent.
5. Install starter cable nut to terminal. Tighten to 11-13 Nm (91-122 Lb-In).
6. Replace red safety cap.
7. Lower vehicle to floor.
8. Connect battery ground cable.

NOTE: When the Powertrain Control Module (PCM) is disconnected and reconnected, some abnormal drive symptoms may occur while the powertrain control module relearns its adaptive strategy. The vehicle may need to be driven 16 km (10 miles) or more to relearn the strategy.

_____________________________________

Let me know if this helps or if you have other questions.

Joe

Engine Performance problem
1995 Ford Explorer Four Wheel Drive Automatic

This morning i drove my car just fine and then this after noon it won't start at all.....there is power to the vehicle but when you turn the key there is nothing....i tryed cleaning the battery posts....but to no avail......could this be the starter....would it just go out all of a sudden with no warning.... thank you Jeree'

Jeree,
A starter can go out at any time. My concern is that you say there is no power. Do you mean to everything including the horn, lights...

These guides can help us fix it

https://www.2carpros.com/articles/starter-not-working-repair

and

https://www.2carpros.com/articles/car-battery-load-test

Please run down these guides and report back.


If so, have you checked the battery with a volt gauge to see if it is producing at least 12+ volts? Is the ground going to the engine block clean and tight? Are the battery cables in good condition?

Let me know.

Joe

i have a 1994 ford explorer that all of a sudden wont start. i have power to everything. when i turn the key to the start position, it does nothing. with the key in the on position you can jump the solenoid on the fire wall & it will start. i replaced the solenoid on the fire wall first & no change. then replaced the ignition switch (elec.) on the steering coloumn & still nothing. checked all fuses and voltage starting with battery down to the starter, and am getting 12.54 reading. what to do next ? can you point me in the right direction ?

Check and test the transmission range switch

Rasmataz is correct. There are two hot wires at the starter. One is hot all the time, the other goes hot with key in the crank position.

i have a 1995 ford exsplorer and it will not turn over i replced the silinoid but still will not fire up..?? all the lights work ..

So it cranks but won't start or on starter action?

Is it cranking over and will not start or just won't crank over when you turn key to cranking position??

Figured it out guys it was the ignition switch..It had went out, i was having trouble i had to wiggle the switch for a few weeks..Replaced it and all good now..Thanks..

Great news

A few days ago, when attempting to start the vehicle, the starter solenoid would just click. and the starter would not crank. I replaced the solenoid and "problem solved", till today. Same symptom, solenoid just clicks, so I installed another new solenoid, and starter still wont crank. So I replaced the battery with a new battery and still no crank. The cables and battery terminals are clean, and I have power to everything else, but attempting to start, all I get is just a click.

sounds like your starter is bad, theres no doubt its getting energy, it just may not be functioning properly.

I have a 94 ford explorer m/t 4.0 6cyl. i turn the key on and i have lights and radio and you can hear fuel pump turn on and you go to push in the clutch and turn the key to start and you hear a click and loose all power tell you turn the key off! battery tested good and the alternator tested good but its sound like a bearing is going out.


what could it be??
could the starter be shot?

click and lose all power sounds like a bad connection from/at the battery. clean all your cable ends and battery posts including where they go to car. what do you mean it sounds like a bearing is going out? is the engine froze up? did you mean alternator bearing? lose all power sounds like starter is drawing too much amps or battery is not good! or bad connections!

if that checks out good then take out starter and test.

ok so about a week ago the car starts rough idleing at lights and trying to die had to keep foot on gas to keep rpms up the needle on the panel gage was bouncing all over friend came tested battery and alternator and battery was good alternator charging a little high at about 15 amps so the problem starts gettin worse and the check engine light flashes on every time we hit a bump and still runnin rough so then start truck in the morning to go to work make it a block an truck dies get it back home and it dies again had another friend come by and he finds a vacume leak pops the cap back on the nipple and now truck starts running fine, so next day we go doing errands and on the way back starts dying again 3 times in about 2 miles. get it home and pop hood put zip ties on all the vacume connections car is idling then the heater motor starts clicking its wheel stops turning the truck dies now cant even turn headlights on

look at the battery connections and all the grounds around the radiator support. it sounds like a loose connection along with other issues.

what cap did he mess with??

Roy

I have a 1994 for explorer with a 4.0l V-6 engine and its four wheel drive and has roughly 215,000 miles on it. It's a well kept vehicle and has been taken very good care of. Recently i went out to start it and it woulldnt start. It just clicks when you try and start it like the battery is dead. I assumed that was the problem. So i charged the battery and my battery is charged and holding charge but when i tried to start it, it just made the same "clicking" Noise. I'm stumped on what else it could be. What would be some other possible reasons for this "clicking" noise and failure to start and the possible solutions for these problems. Thank you

More than likely it is the starter, but check all you battery cables first. If they are dirty, take them off the battery posts and clean them. If that doesn't work, check the connections at the starter. Make sure you are getting 12v on the main lug as well as the smaller ignition (trigger) wire. Get back to me what you find and we'll go from there.

ok i feel like a complete idiot but i know my starter is supposed 2 be located on the underside of the engine on the passenger side but i just cant find it...can u help me out a bit! Im totally stumped and just wanna get my truck running again! Would u be able to give me step by step instructions for removal or even a diagram you've found that may help me? Thanks for the help greatly appreciated!

Locate where the engine and trans meet and on the passenger side, between the engine and the frame, you should see the starter. If you have trouble finding it, post back and I'll get you a picture, no problem.

I looked and i just cant find that starter anywhere! Lol thanks for everything! And i have another question. It is a very high milage explorer and some1 also told me it maybe my engine is locked up for some reason...and thats more work i can do myself and more money than i have 2 have it fixed by a mechanic. Would there be any other signs of this possibiltiy like a check engine light coming on or any strange noises? How can i test this theory if my new starter which im supposed 2 get tommorow doesnt solve the issue. What do u think is a more likely the cause of the problem? It does have almost 225,000 miles on it. THANKS AGAIN!

OK i found my starter...and its actually on the drivers side of the engne underneath...probably y i couldnt find it b4. but now i've got a new starter and ran into more problems...i cant get any socket or wrench to fit on snug and it appears after i wiped off all the grime and goop off the bolt its stripped and slightly rounded....how can i work around this? all the help is appreciated

Go with the next size smaller in a 12 point socket and drive it on. Replace the bolt once you get it out. If it is metric, you may need a standard socket.

I have a 94 Ford Explorer. It will start a couple times then it wont start at all. when it does start I hear a certain noise. But when it wont start the noise isnt there. I replaced the Fuel pump relay, the battery. Now it is doing the same thing. Some are telling me that its the Ignition Switch, or the fuel pump.
Please help

well i got my new starter on today...just got inside from doing it...well once i hooked up all my battery cables and everything i tried 2 turn it over and yet its just the same click...So im charging my battery up 2 make sure thats not the issue again since i left the hood open the other night and the light may have drained its power....now could the problem be my starter silinoid (idk the spelling) located by my battery...i just recently replaced that so i didnt think that would be the issue...but u never know. So if this didnt solve the problem what else could be the problem? All my cables are sending power and its all hooked up right...i just want my truck back on the road again!!!!

[quote:009ad18e98="Explorer94"]Engine Mechanical problem
1994 Ford Explorer 6 cyl Four Wheel Drive Automatic 175,000 miles
----------------------------------------------------------------
I have a 94 Ford Explorer. It will start a couple times then it wont start at all. when it does start I hear a certain noise. But when it wont start the noise isnt there. I replaced the Fuel pump relay, the battery. Now it is doing the same thing. Some are telling me that its the Ignition Switch, or the fuel pump.
Please help[/quote:009ad18e98]

Ok, here is something to try.... when the vehicle won't start open the hood right next to the Batter is a Starter Relay Switch just follow the Positive cable to it. Jump the 2 large terminals. If Vehicle Starts replace that relay.

ok well i went ahead and replaced that starter relay thing....and still sitting at the same click....my next thought is the gear thing....i dotn know what its called....it prevents the vehicle from being started if its not in Park or neutral. i need 2 know where wires or this sensor/relay/whatever it is is located so i can see if thats my issue...and if that doesnt work im left with no choicer but 2 replace wires even tho they look fine. Thanks again for everything

Try this
key off (KEY OFF )
E brake on
jump the two terminals on the starter (big and should have power at all time
and small switch only )
and it should crank
have you checked the fuses
do you have an alarm system that may effect in this mater
make sure you have power at the starter and also check for ground
let me know

well thatnks every1 for the help and input...but i finally figured it out! and its about time. But it turned out 2 be a combination of my starter relay and my trigger wire to my starter. I dont know how i didnt figure this out earlier but its starting now as i encounter a new problme....i need 2 replace my alternator! Atleast i dont need help with that! That you so much you saved me alot of money and i have the satisfaction of knowing i did it with my own hands! Thanks again It was all greatly appreciated!!!!!

First is can anyone help me with the following? :
ok so heres the thing i have an 1994 ford explorer I recently had tranny problems and got it rebuilt. Ever since i got that done.
(1) Iv been noticing that when i drive its a hit and miss but the head lights will be on and they dimmer and flicker.
(2) Another problem is it randomly losses power and stalls. And when it stalls it wount start back up for a while. dont know why? Got a new alterntor and battery
(3) Sometimes it wount turn over, but I hear the clicking of the starter.
(4) when its parked on uneven ground it will not start. Im thinking its the fule pump?

any help is better than noe on one or more of these problems.

THanks

I would check the power line going to the starter. The way it sounds is that it may be loose or part is melted and bounces off the engine causeing a small short in the wire. If it does not touch for long or is a small hole in the plastic cover on the wire it will only cause small issues. Also when on a hill it might lay right on the motor and stall the engine. If the fuel pump goes it usuall;y just goes then your truck won't start. Hope it helps.

My son in law has a 1994 Ford Explorer. It has not been driven in over a year, although ran fine before he parked it. When he tried to start it recently it would not start-- even with a jump.

He has a non functioning a/c unit in the Explorer and someone told him that it could be draining the battery?

He is trying to figure out if he should buy a new battery, or look for something else that is causing problem?

Also wants to know if it is difficult to just remove the a/c, or should he remove it? (will this help battery problem or improve mileage?)

First, fully charge the battery and have it load tested at a parts store. Most do it for free. As far as the AC, we can check that after we know what is going on with the battery. However, I doubt it is the cause of a dead battery.

Question, when you jump started it, did the engine turn over?

Let me know.
Joe

Joe,
Son-in-law said it did not turn over engine with jump. He did have battery tested today..they said it was dead and wouldn't take a charge, he got a new one..and it started right up!

Do you know anything about how hard it is to remove A/C unit? It isn't working and they were told to take it out to improve gas mileage and extend battery life. Does that sound right to you? Do you think that is necessary?

Thx so much for your response!

Let it there and disconnect the power to the clutch. It won't hurt anything unless it's locked up.

Let me know if you have other questions.

Joe