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1987 Ford Ranger not starting

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Avalon

Avalon

Diamond Member
Hey guys, my buddy has a 1987 Ford Ranger that's not starting, and I just wanted to get a quick opinion.

When you go to turn the engine, you hear a click, followed by nothing. I first ruled out fuel, air, and battery via a few quick tests.

I'm going to check for spark next, but my gut instinct is that it's either the starter or solenoid, more likely the solenoid, since we can't even get the engine to turn. Thoughts?
 
starter or battery is what I'd lean toward. no matter what the fuel/air system is doing, the battery/starter should do more than click. How'd you rule out the battery?
 
^yeah does it start with a jump? if so, then it's the battery and/or the alternator. the battery may have enough juice to power lights/radio/etc. but not enough current to turn the starter.
 
Battery. Unless your multimeter has a resistive load test and burst into flames in your hand, you didn't test it right. A dead battery will still show 12+v.

Turn the headlights on and observe them when holding the key in the start position to confirm. If they go dim, then the connection to the starter is being made, ruling out the solenoid or ignition switch or relays, and shows the battery is simply weak.

Don't bother with air/fuel/spark. It's the starting system.
 
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No, it doesn't start with a jump, and the lights are always full brightness, which is why I ruled out the battery. Just the single click coming from the starter. I already checked for air and fuel, too late 😛
 
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An 87 should still have that starter solenoid on the firewall that you can cross the terminals with a big screwdriver and start the car. That helps to narrow between the batt, starter and solenoid.

If its an auto it might be the neutral safety switch, although I can't imagine it would click if that were the cause.
 
You probably have a bad connection at the battery or starter. Hit the starter with a hammer a couple times and see if it starts up then.
 
If its the starter clicking loudly then its getting power. Its the starter. Try rapidly hitting the key or beat on the starter with a block of wood or a big prybar or something to shock it and try to unstick it.

Keep an eye on the cable and feel if is getting hot, and don't over do it.
 
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Third giving the starter a tap, while someone is trying to turn it over. Had a truck do this once and it had a loose ground, guess it was getting enough power to click but just wouldn't do anything else. it could do this depending on how the ground cables are run but you might want to check that all of your connections are good and tight too.
 
Hey guys, sorry for not updating, but I did take all of your suggestions in! Was able to rule it out as the starter, went to autozone, grabbed a basic replacement for $45, installed it in 15 mins, truck is kicking ass and running again!

Thanks!!
 
Take all your clothes off and whack your starter.

Wiggling the wires might give you more insight as to which connection is bad. My most recent bad connection was the crimp on a terminal ring for the ground wire connector on the starter.
 
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