Starter going bad in Ranger

[clemsonfor]

I never know if im suppose to post repair help in here, cause its cars/trucks therefore transportation or put in in the repairs forum? The repairs forum looks like tractor repairs, heck i dunno. This will be a shortlived one anyway.

Problem 1990 ranger 2.3L. A few weeks back (its an extra vehicle not an everyday driver) it started to just spin and not engage the bendix to the flywheel. At first it was a split second delay before engage. Now it just spins and not engage at all. Will let it spin down and try again, this last time was 3 trys and the third time it spun for a second before it finially jumped up to the flywheel.

Help me remember is this a bad solonoid or starter. I think starter as its getting power but bendix is just not jumping out. I think bad solonoid is clicks only? If i remember right 10 years or so ago i had this same problem on a ford car and it was a bad starter. Im 99% sure this is what it is but for some reason the soloniod popped in my mind and got me thinking. I figured id ask here.

And im gonna buy new and get a warrenty, not rebuild. I have asked around and no one can reccomend a rebuild place near hear. Plus its at least 30 mins in opposite direction from my house or work to a town where one would even be.

 

[mitch becton]

what your describing is possibly bad drive clutch also you could also be describing a bad spot missing teeth on the flywheel. you may want to call mike at mikes alternators he is located on emerald rd his number is 864-223-4711 and let him have a look he should be able to tell you if if is starter drive or maybe flywheel he can also supply you with a new unit if you so decide. good luck

 

[Soundguy]

pull it. see if flywheel is ok.. I suspect it is.

see if it has the regular magnetic solenoid. if so.. it's proabbly stucky or shot.

sounds like a napa or autozone job to me..

unbolt.. clean and fix.. or core out and repalce. few bolts.. few wires..a dn some quality time on a creeper holding shiney tools and lil flecks of oily dirt falling into your eyes now and then.

good excuse to dust off the floor jack, jack stands and wheel chocks...

soundguy

 

[timswi]

pull it. see if flywheel is ok.. I suspect it is.

see if it has the regular magnetic solenoid. if so.. it's proabbly stucky or shot.

sounds like a napa or autozone job to me..

unbolt.. clean and fix.. or core out and repalce. few bolts.. few wires..a dn some quality time on a creeper holding shiney tools and lil flecks of oily dirt falling into your eyes now and then.

good excuse to dust off the floor jack, jack stands and wheel chocks...

soundguy

+1 on that...It's pretty rare to strip off a flywheel and the replacement cost isn't worth a bendix only replacement...You' probably have to take it out again sometime in the near future..if the flywheel is good replace it with a rebuilt or new unit from a box parts store.

 

[crazyal]

If it's easy to remove I would pull it and take it apart to clean it up. Chances are it's just gummed up and cleaning and a little grease and it'll work just fine. If it's a PITA then I would replace it.

 

[clemsonfor]

Thanks for the advice.

I know how to replace a starter. The Tempo i had was actually the same block just different head to the motor, so i actually have replaced one just like it. It looks like all the ford starters for the last 4 decades anyway. I doubt the flywheel is stripped(since it will sit and spin and all of a sudden catch). And for $35 (with online coupons codes) i will just replace it with a lifetime warrenty one from Advanceauto.

Cant be mad at the original the truck is 22 yrs old and has 290k miles on it! The one on the car lasted about to 200k, just not as many years i dont think. It was only 16-17 when it went out.

 

[murphy1244]

That is the easest starter I have ever done.

 

[clemsonfor]

what your describing is possibly bad drive clutch also you could also be describing a bad spot missing teeth on the flywheel. you may want to call mike at mikes alternators he is located on emerald rd his number is 864-223-4711 and let him have a look he should be able to tell you if if is starter drive or maybe flywheel he can also supply you with a new unit if you so decide. good luck

Isnt 223 a greenville #? If so that would be 1.5 hours from my house. If i were closer to Gville that would not be a problem, my father in law had a shop up there and he always used Genes Alt for starters and Alts. But honestly i think there more than i would pay for the new one.

 

[Soundguy]

+1 on that...It's pretty rare to strip off a flywheel and the replacement cost isn't worth a bendix only replacement...You' probably have to take it out again sometime in the near future..if the flywheel is good replace it with a rebuilt or new unit from a box parts store.

yep.. if it wasn't something that grease and penetrant oil would fix, AND as crazyal said.. and ez pull.. then I'd surly repalce the entire thing and not pay for a bendix (only)that may cost 3/4 of a new unit..e tc.

 

[bdeboer]

I had a '91 ranger 2.3L that did that on an Autozone replacement starter. Took the whole starter out and got replaced under warranty, if I remember correctly the solenoid was the only part that was bad.

If it is just the solenoid/relay on the fender jumper around to check. Just make sure its not in gear if it is a manual.

 

[clemsonfor]

On a ford the Solonoid is a seperate unit, its sits on the fender? GM's and such have a solonoid on the starter.

This is a factory unit anyway.

 

[bdeboer]

On a ford the Solonoid is a seperate unit, its sits on the fender? GM's and such have a solonoid on the starter.

This is a factory unit anyway.

I think my '91 was all in one if I am remembering correctly. I sold it probably 8 years ago.

 

[clemsonfor]

Thats odd? I have a 90, like i said, 91 is the same truck. My starter is a starter, the solonoid sits on passenger firewall. They do have a little metal cover plate on them if i remember on them that some arm or something i think is under?

 

[Soundguy]

he heard it spin.. so i doubt it is a ford firewall realy issue... the starter motor is getting power.. the bendix is not throwing out. it's likely a mechanical issue .. though could be a small electrical problem in the solenoid section..

 

[Soundguy]

Thats odd? I have a 90, like i said, 91 is the same truck. My starter is a starter, the solonoid sits on passenger firewall. They do have a little metal cover plate on them if i remember on them that some arm or something i think is under?

many people confuse or interchangeably use the term relay and solenoid..

the firewall device is a relay.

 

[clemsonfor]

ok then, i guess the solonoid thing is whats under that tiny cover that throws the bendix out? anyway its not the thing on the fender, starter motor is spinning, last time on a ford 2.3 this happened it was the starter was 99% sure thats the problem but just posted here to confirm.

Since part is so easy to get to and cheap and availible that day im going to pay $35 and get a new lifetime warrenty model and fix it.

 

[KubotainNH]

he heard it spin.. so i doubt it is a ford firewall realy issue... the starter motor is getting power.. the bendix is not throwing out. it's likely a mechanical issue .. though could be a small electrical problem in the solenoid section..

+1, replace the starter. At that mileage/age you're living on borrowed time anyway.

 

[clemsonfor]

will most likely replace it this weekend, unless i put it off, not cause i think its not the starter just cause.

 

[Soundguy]

let us know what you find.

 

[clemsonfor]

may even take pics. This is such an easy job i can. Normally im to involved with most stuff to take pics unless im doing it to remember how it goes to geather.