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  #1  
Old 01-26-2014, 02:44 PM
Cutewothee7 Cutewothee7 is offline
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Question 97 ranger starting issues

first off i have a 97 ranger 2.3l 2wd flareside

okay problem is this. ive had this truck for a year now and live in buffalo. truck started up fine all summer long and ran great.

since the cold has hit ive been having trouble getting it started but yesterday was the worst.

when i turn the key and wait for the stupid dinging to stop, attempting to start the truck all i hear is the starter spinning. starter is only a few months old. i took it to advanced and they tested it and it was fine.
came back home put it back in and same shit. just spins. checked the flywheel and that seems fine. even rotated it to a new position and still the same thing. i was reading that if you jump the fender solenoid it might work. once i did the engine turned over but unfortunately my battery was just about dead by that time.

wondering if anyone has any tips and knowledge on this. i have above average mechanical knowledge. i dont have a garage to be tearing the thing apart. im completely dumbfounded as to what could be causing this problem
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Old 01-26-2014, 03:58 PM
theropod theropod is offline
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Default Re: 97 ranger starting issues

I'd bet you have gunk between, and in, the gear guide shaft nose thrust bushing and the gear on the starter. That thrust bushing, and or nose, might be damaged and limiting travel. This gunk gets cold and forms a 'spacer' that is limiting the depth of throw of the starting gear, and it doesn't catch the teeth on the flywheel properly. It could also be that gunk has accumulated somewhere else limiting movement. Try pulling the starter and cleaning the devil out of the whole unit. Clean all the cable ends all the way back to the battery.

R
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1992 Ranger 4X4 5 speed 2.3, 2008 Escape 4WD 3.0, 1995 Thunderbird LX 4.6, 1937 Allis Chalmers B model
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Old 01-27-2014, 02:33 PM
Cutewothee7 Cutewothee7 is offline
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Default Re: 97 ranger starting issues

Okay update:
I took the starter back off and everything seems fine. I checked the starter relay and was getting nothing for a readout. So I just replaced that. When trying to start the truck with the key the starter still just whines like the bendix isn't engaging. When you jump it at the starter relay the same thing happens. But if you jump the starter itself it fires up. Still dumbfounded on this...
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97 ranger 2wd styleside 2.3l (8plug)
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Old 01-29-2014, 04:49 PM
theropod theropod is offline
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Default Re: 97 ranger starting issues

Is the grounding strap from the body to the engine (somewhere on the firewall) in good shape and clean?

R
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Sleeping in the hen house doesn't make you a chicken.

13 years off the grid and lovin' it.

1992 Ranger 4X4 5 speed 2.3, 2008 Escape 4WD 3.0, 1995 Thunderbird LX 4.6, 1937 Allis Chalmers B model
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Old 01-29-2014, 11:41 PM
Cutewothee7 Cutewothee7 is offline
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Default Re: 97 ranger starting issues

Yeah that's all good I wire brushed everything and got it to bare metal. It's gotta be something silly and stupid. Its funny that it starts 10x easier by jumping the starter than it ever did with the key. I'm gonna tear apart the ignition tomorrow and see if there is a bad wire in there and possibly bypass the clutch safety switch. Worst case scenario I'm just gonna Hotwire a push button start. Any advice on what wire to specifically look for in the ignition? And there is a ground wire that's also attattched to a red wire bolted into the fender between the battery and starter relay could that be the culprit?
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Old 01-31-2014, 01:20 PM
RangerSchool RangerSchool is offline
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Default Re: 97 ranger starting issues

Quote:
Originally Posted by Cutewothee7 View Post
Okay update:
I took the starter back off and everything seems fine. I checked the starter relay and was getting nothing for a readout. So I just replaced that. When trying to start the truck with the key the starter still just whines like the bendix isn't engaging. When you jump it at the starter relay the same thing happens. But if you jump the starter itself it fires up. Still dumbfounded on this...
you will not get anything Voltage reading at the relay unless the key is turned to the starter position.

I would check for voltage at the 2 wires at the starter. The big one from the battery has power all the time. the smaller one on the solenoid only has power when trying to start it. My guess is that something in the starter control circuit is holding you up. clutch pedal switch, relay, solenoid, ignition switch. it could also be a deteriorating main wire aka "the big One". where do you live? I would just fix it right. pulling the ignition apart with a pushbutton is frowned up around here. do it right or don't bother doing it.

p.s. Please tell me you are a Female with that screen name!
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Last edited by RangerSchool; 01-31-2014 at 01:25 PM.
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fuel, ignition, running, starter, starting

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