No starter operation is not working why?

Tiny
MARKV1234
  • MEMBER
  • 1993 FORD EXPLORER
  • 6 CYL
  • 4WD
  • AUTOMATIC
  • 145,000 MILES
My 93 explorer will not start infact it doesn't crank at all. I hear the fuel pump when I turn the key but nothing else.
Thursday, March 18th, 2010 AT 7:32 AM

48 Replies

Tiny
JACOBANDNICKOLAS
  • MECHANIC
  • 108,133 POSTS
Have a helper turn the key to the start position while you check for voltage to the smaller wire at the starter. It should have 12+ volts. If it does, chances are the starter is bad. 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.
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Monday, March 22nd, 2010 AT 10:42 AM
Tiny
BEEFCAKE3883
  • MEMBER
  • 2 POSTS
  • 1993 FORD EXPLORER
  • 6 CYL
  • 2WD
  • AUTOMATIC
  • 150,000 MILES
Hello. My car would not start the other morning so I removed the battery and took it to be tested. Battery is good. I cleaned the terminals and put the battery back in. Still just getting a single click when I turn the key. Tried bridging the posts on the solenoid with a screwdriver and still just the one click. Could it be the actual battery cables? Or the starter? Or something else? Thanks for any answers.
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Thursday, December 31st, 2020 AT 9:28 AM (Merged)
Tiny
BLUELIGHTNIN6
  • MECHANIC
  • 16,542 POSTS
Hello
Thanks for the donation

How are the headlights, radio. Etc?

You say you jumpered the starter solenoid and it still clicked only once. I would suggest removing the starter and having it tested. Suspect faulty starter. It may be possible to have starter rebuilt rather than buying a new starter if you choose to do so.

Thanks for using 2CarPros. Com!
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Thursday, December 31st, 2020 AT 9:28 AM (Merged)
Tiny
BEEFCAKE3883
  • MEMBER
  • 2 POSTS
Thanks.

Radio, lights, etc. Work. The batt cables arent in the best shape. Could that be the problem? Or is starter make more sense?
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Thursday, December 31st, 2020 AT 9:28 AM (Merged)
Tiny
BLUELIGHTNIN6
  • MECHANIC
  • 16,542 POSTS
Normally when the battery is at fault it will cause a rapid clicking noise from the starter solenoid rather than just one click. However since you state the cables are in poor shape it may be that the connection at the starter is poor causing the starter not to work properly. Go ahead and replace the cables. It is a cheap and effective solution if it does work. If it is not the problem you can remove the starter and most part stores will test the starter free of charge for you.

Thanks for using 2CarPros. Com !
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Thursday, December 31st, 2020 AT 9:28 AM (Merged)
Tiny
LJOBUBBA
  • MEMBER
  • 1 POST
  • 1993 FORD EXPLORER
I went to leave work last night and it wouldn't start. My boyfriend thought my solenoid was bad. So today we replaced it and it still did the same thing no starter noise (like i've heard from past vehicles) no clicking noise (like battery) and all lights come on and power windows work, radio works. Please help!
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Thursday, December 31st, 2020 AT 9:28 AM (Merged)
Tiny
KNIGHTSCBR
  • MEMBER
  • 20 POSTS
Check to make sure there is 12V on the wire that goes to your solnoid when the key is in the start position, or try to jump your slnoid with a screwdriver, with key on
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Thursday, December 31st, 2020 AT 9:28 AM (Merged)
Tiny
DSKOORB
  • MEMBER
  • 7 POSTS
  • 1992 FORD EXPLORER
  • 6 CYL
  • 4WD
  • AUTOMATIC
  • 178,000 MILES
I replaced the ignition relay and it clicks when I turn the key, however, the starter won't turn over. I'm considering pulling and taking it for testing. It worked fine until I had the idler and tension pulleys replaced. Any thoughts as to what else might be?

Thanks in advance for your help.
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Thursday, December 31st, 2020 AT 9:28 AM (Merged)
Tiny
OBXAUTOMEDIC
  • MECHANIC
  • 3,711 POSTS
Hello,

Did you replace the Ignition Relay or the Starter Relay?

If replace ignition relay and you get a clicking under hood in area of battery then I would replace the Starter Relay here is a pic of what to look for.
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Thursday, December 31st, 2020 AT 9:28 AM (Merged)
Tiny
DSKOORB
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  • 7 POSTS
The item you sent a photo of is what I replaced. It does click when I turn the key to start.

What would be the next thing to check?

Thanks for your help!
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Thursday, December 31st, 2020 AT 9:28 AM (Merged)
Tiny
OBXAUTOMEDIC
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Try jump starting it. If it will start then most likely its your battery and you should take it by your local parts store and have them test it.

.
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Thursday, December 31st, 2020 AT 9:28 AM (Merged)
Tiny
DSKOORB
  • MEMBER
  • 7 POSTS
Did that. I've checked all the fuses, metered the correct voltage at the coil pack, and all cables are intact.

I'm putting it up on jack stands now and will pull the starter to have it tested. Does this seem prudent or should I just have to towed to a shop. Just trying to save some money.

Thanks again.

Dave
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Thursday, December 31st, 2020 AT 9:28 AM (Merged)
Tiny
OBXAUTOMEDIC
  • MECHANIC
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Ok, if the relay is clicking the try this.

Jump the 2 big terminals using a screwdriver, if the engine turns over then you may have gotten a defective relay.

.
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Thursday, December 31st, 2020 AT 9:28 AM (Merged)
Tiny
DSKOORB
  • MEMBER
  • 7 POSTS
Which terminals, on the relay or the starter?
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Thursday, December 31st, 2020 AT 9:28 AM (Merged)
Tiny
OBXAUTOMEDIC
  • MECHANIC
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The 2 Large terminals on the relay by the battery.

With the relay clicking it's an indication the there is either not enough power getting throught it, A bad Relay or bad cable.

.
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Thursday, December 31st, 2020 AT 9:28 AM (Merged)
Tiny
DSKOORB
  • MEMBER
  • 7 POSTS
I will try it. I have to get to my friends house to do so, it's in his garage. I'll let you know what happens!

Thanks again for your time and help.
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Thursday, December 31st, 2020 AT 9:28 AM (Merged)
Tiny
2CP-ARCHIVES
  • MEMBER
  • 4,542 POSTS
  • 1993 FORD EXPLORER
  • 66,000 MILES
It wont start when I turn the ignition. It clicks like its a dead battery but I took the battery in to get it checked and its fine. Plus when it first started doing this I had been driving all day and I was at the store. So I asked a person for a jump and it still didn't start. When I went to the auto store and explained the problem I was having to them they suggested that it may be the starter. Now I have a leak coming out to the power steering pump, and its dripping directly onto the starter and all the connections on the starter. They are all tightly connected to the starter. But could this be the problem. Also the click I hear when I try to start it, isn't coming from the starter. Its coming from the side wall right next to the battery. There is a fuse box and the starter solenoid, and this is where the clicking noise is coming from both the fuse box and solenoid. Please help answer the question I feel its something stupid and simple. But beyond my knowledge.
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Thursday, December 31st, 2020 AT 9:28 AM (Merged)
Tiny
OBXAUTOMEDIC
  • MECHANIC
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Ok, if it doesn't turn over then you should go ahead and remove the starter and take it in for testing.

.
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Thursday, December 31st, 2020 AT 9:28 AM (Merged)
Tiny
CARADIODOC
  • MECHANIC
  • 33,727 POSTS
There's three things that commonly happen with Ford starter systems. First check the connections on that starter relay near the battery. The large copper nuts often work loose. Next, measure the voltage on the large cable right at the starter while a helper turns the ignition switch to "crank". If it goes real low, suspect corroded strands of wire under the insulation where you can't see it, right at that end. Third, oil or power steering fluid that gets inside the starter will deteriorate the brushes and make them crumble. If that is the case, the voltage on the large cable will still be there but the motor won't spin.
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Thursday, December 31st, 2020 AT 9:28 AM (Merged)
Tiny
DSKOORB
  • MEMBER
  • 7 POSTS
I pulled the starter assembly off and took it to be tested. It tested okay. Perplexed, I cleaned it up and re-installed it. When I pulled if off, I noticed that the small wire in the bundle that attached to the solenoid was not connected. When I re-installed it, I connected that small wire (it was on a spade terminal), and it started right up.

Thanks for your help.
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Thursday, December 31st, 2020 AT 9:28 AM (Merged)

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