1997 Ford Ranger starting troubles

97FORDRANGERDANGER

MEMBER
1997 FORD RANGER
4 CYL
2WD
MANUAL
200,765 MILES

I replaced the starter motor, solenoid, and battery in my truck. It worked fine for a couple of days and now all I get is the solemoid clicking noise. Its a strong single click, not multiple clicks. I was told it could be due to corrosion inside the cable running from the battery to the starter motor. Anyways I took the new starter off and took at back and had it tested and the starter is fine. Im thinking its either the cable not producing the power or a defective solenoid. But I dont know what to do.

Friday, September 25th, 2009 AT 8:37 AM

2 Replies

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This sounds like a problem I had with my '97 ranger. For me it turned out to be a corroded connector. Remember, ford uses two solenoids. One on the firewall that sends power to the starter, and another on the starter that engages the pinion and completes the circuit to the motor. It was the connector on the second solenoid that was bad. Not surprising, since it is down low in the water and dirt. It is the smaller wire with the simple spade connector.

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Saturday, September 26th, 2009 AT 1:17 PM

97FORDRANGERDANGER

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Thats exactly what the issue was, when I checked the connections on the starter motor, the positive eyelet lug was covered in grease and corrosion and I didnt check it or pay attention to it when I changed the starter, so I put a new one on and boom, she fired right up. So that seems to be a commor story on these rangers.

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Saturday, September 26th, 2009 AT 2:29 PM