bad starter or what

[kingfish930]

94 ranger, 4 cyl. battery is new; starter is three years old. starts some times and other times does not. relay is new. when the key is turned,I get one click and then nothing. should I get a new starter or is it something else?

[fordman123]

By your description, sounds like it is one of two things:

1. Starter
2. Solenoid

Good luck and keep me posted!

Fordman123

[rangersvtsplash]

well to make sure just jump the terminals on the solinoid should make the start start. well atleast thats what i have been told.

[thermaldisc]

Originally Posted by kingfish930

94 ranger, 4 cyl. battery is new; starter is three years old. starts some times and other times does not. relay is new. when the key is turned,I get one click and then nothing. should I get a new starter or is it something else?

hey kingfish, you may want to check your positive battery cable. You would never believe it, but if the original post connector is still on the truck, intermittent voltages can occur if the cable has become loose inside the connector. Arcing and sparking we cannot see inside the connector will cause the cable to become heavily burned and oxidized thus causing a bad connection. This could be a $5 repair if that is in fact the problem. Many good mechanics have overlooked this. Trust me and check this. I replaced a solenoid and a starter before finding this problem.

[XRoll2000]

remove the starter and have it tested at a shop or local parts store. if its bad, then just replace it.

[mustbusmc]

As the others have said, I too believe that you should first unhook the +battery terminal and clean it. Test the battery cables with a light or voltmeter to see if current is getting through your cables. If you cables are good.....check the solenoid next. You can cross the bolts with a screw driver if you wish. If the starter turns then the solenoid is bad. If not...........the bendix on the starter is bad...........Hope this helps..