Starting problem on 2.3L 5 speed 1992 LX

Maccgyver

New Member
Nov 14, 2005
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Hey guys been scratching my head cause I have read up on other people having similar problems to me and I have tried everything. My car has voltage just put in a new battery and all I get is the dreaded click of just the solenoid, starter does nothing. I checked all wires since I got a fluke and all the grounds are good as well as the other cables. The only thing is when I tested the ground(smallest wire connecting to the starter) on the starter to the positive it is getting around a 10.0v reading and the wire looks slightly corroded. The power cable to the starter is fine it is getting it's voltage of 12.6. Replaced the solenoid as well so it is either the starter or that ground cable to the starter. The thing that puzzles me the day it broke on sunday it started up after I let it sit for awhile. Then took it out had no problems all day monday and then I move my car last night into the driveway from the street and now this morning it is dead as a door nail again. God I hate intermittent problems. What do you guys think??? I am gonna clean up that wire see if that does anything after that all I can think of is the starter itself.
 
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Maccgyver said:
Hey guys been scratching my head cause I have read up on other people having similar problems to me and I have tried everything. My car has voltage just put in a new battery and all I get is the dreaded click of just the solenoid, starter does nothing. I checked all wires since I got a fluke and all the grounds are good as well as the other cables. The only thing is when I tested the ground(smallest wire connecting to the starter) on the starter to the positive it is getting around a 10.0v reading and the wire looks slightly corroded. The power cable to the starter is fine it is getting it's voltage of 12.6. Replaced the solenoid as well so it is either the starter or that ground cable to the starter. The thing that puzzles me the day it broke on sunday it started up after I let it sit for awhile. Then took it out had no problems all day monday and then I move my car last night into the driveway from the street and now this morning it is dead as a door nail again. God I hate intermittent problems. What do you guys think??? I am gonna clean up that wire see if that does anything after that all I can think of is the starter itself.
I had that same problem. First, competely recharge the battery and unhook the alternator plug under the hood and see if the battery drains then. That solved my problem. But if that doesn't work, try unhooking the wires off of the starter. That was also draining my battery before I replaced the two parts. If that doesn't solve your problems then I'm stumped.
 
The little wire is not a ground. the starter grounds to the bellhousing by way of the mounting tabs. That starter may have it's own solenoid. Kinda redundant, but hey, if Ford did everything right we wouldn't need tech forums right?

So you've got 12.6 from the big wire to ground (engine block or frame, not the little wire) Now check the little wire to the same ground. It should read nothing. In a safe manner, have someone turn the key to start while you hold your leads on the little wire and a good ground. Whatcha got? If you've got a good 12V, replace the starter. If you've got low voltage or still no voltage, trace that wire back to the solenoid. Check to see if you've got 12V with the key in START where the little wire meets the fenderwell solenoid. Yes? The wire is bad or there's a fusible link on that wire that's toast.

It's not uncommon to see those starter mounted solenoids fail. I've even seen them fall apart because the bolts backed out.
 
thanks for the advice guys appreciate it. Pretty sure it is the starter cause I checked the small wire after I cut the end cause it was corroded and put a new one on and now it gets the 12 volts. SO it must be the starter cause everything else is working.
 
Did you make sure the clutch and neutral safety switch are working, ie, do you get 12 v from the switch wire at the fender mounted starter relay. Noted above also.

Its no too hard to just pull the starter motor, cables, relay and hook it up on the floor to test.