88 bronco won't start

[mdnewell]

Hey,

I have an 88 bronco that for a few weeks now has intermittantly just clicked once and dimmed the power on my dash lights when I try and turn it over. It usually just started working after a few minutes.

Now it won't turn over at all, even when I'm trying to jump start it. I'm thinking it's a wiring problem. The wires going into the alternator harness look like they have melted a bit and the harness itself looks worn.

Before I go and replace that harness I figured I'd check and see what everyone else thinks. I'm no mechanic by any means but this makes sense to me.

Is there anything I can do to try and help isolate what may be happening or has anyone else here had a similar problem?

Thanks,

Mike

 

[JLasvegas]

do you know if your getting power to your starter?

 

[BroncoJoe19]

How old is your battery? IF it is over three years old, it is suspect.

Look at your connections from the battery to the cables, and then to the engine, and the starter. It is important that they are clean (free from rust or corrosion) and tight. You might disconnect them and take a wire brush to them.

See that the wire from the battery to the starter relay is clean and tight.

I could spend an hour or more telling you of other things to work your way through, but this is a good start.

Make sure the connections are clean and tight and then if you hadn't charged your battery, try a jump start.

Let us know how you make out.

 

[mdnewell]

do you know if your getting power to your starter?

Not sure. I'm picking up a volt meter tomorrow. I'll post back after I check it out.

Thanks.

 

[mdnewell]

How old is your battery? IF it is over three years old, it is suspect.
Look at your connections from the battery to the cables, and then to the engine, and the starter. It is important that they are clean (free from rust or corrosion) and tight. You might disconnect them and take a wire brush to them.

See that the wire from the battery to the starter relay is clean and tight.

I could spend an hour or more telling you of other things to work your way through, but this is a good start.

Make sure the connections are clean and tight and then if you hadn't charged your battery, try a jump start.

Let us know how you make out.

I cleaned all the connections from the battery to the relay but no luck. the battery is good and less than a year old. The same thing happens when I try and jump start the bronco.

I'm wondering if maybe it's the starter itself?

Thanks

 

[walnuts75]

If it clicks you are getting power to your starter. Have you tried charging the battery for a few hours with a battery charger? Broncojoe is setting you on the right track. It is most likely a battery problem. Maybe your battery is drained b/c you are getting enough voltage from your alternator to charge it properly. (just throwing more ideas at you) Also keep in mind, the more drained a battery is, the harder it will be to jumpstart.

If by any chance you do think its the starter, go under the bronco and lightly tap the starter with a hammer or something. Sometimes old brushings in the starter will stick and need to be knocked loose. But, I still think its your battery.

 

[BroncoJoe19]

I suspect that you may be right in that it is your starter itself.

I assume that if you turn your headlights on, they are good and strong/bright (meaning that your battery is strong and your connections are good).

IF you hear the solinoid click and see a dimming of your dash lights... (meaning that there is a significant drain on the battery) I would suspect the starter. BTW... a starter may have a few dead spots so it may work intermittently. If Walnuts suggestion of hitting it with a hammer works, then don't fool around, replace it. You know the rule.. it will fail at the worst possible moment. /emoticons/[email protected] 2x" width="20" height="20" />

 

[mdnewell]

Hey,

Thanks for everyone's help here. It turned out to be a short in the solenoid on the starter. I pulled it off this weekend and had it tested.

Thanks again,

Mike