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car troubles - 12/29/2011 1:34:48 AM   
JstAnotherSub


Posts: 6174
Status: offline 		I was going to the store and got the old "clickity click click" when I went to start the truck.

The battery is fairly new, and the truck started fine for my dentist appt at 11 this morning.  It is a 2000 Ranger, 4WD.

The battery connections looked clean, from what I could see in the dark.  When it gets daylight, I am going to go double check the connections at the battery, trace the cables from the battery to the other end and make sure those are also tight, and beat on the starter gently.

That is all I know to do, since my knowledge of these newfangled cars is lacking.  I long for the days of my 72 Nova!

Anyone know anything else I can try, if none of my stuff works?

Thanks!


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RE: car troubles - 12/29/2011 2:06:20 AM   
areallivehuman


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Status: offline 		Sounds like you're on the right track. Newfangled cars still use the same battery technology as your 72 Nova. Either the battery is weak(left something on while in the dentist?), or your cable connections are poor. Take them off at the battery, take a pocketknife and scrape the terminal ring clean, and rough up the battery posts.

  Fords are famous for rotting the terminal off the battery cable at the starter end, gently tug on that if you can get to it. also wiggle the little wire on the starter, it should be a square plastic slide on connector, another known Ford trouble spot.

  Beating the starter is only good if the starter is "stuck", a single click or nothing at all. Yours has all the classic symptoms of a poor connection, assuming the battery is good.

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RE: car troubles - 12/29/2011 3:17:35 AM   
Ninebelowzero


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Status: offline 		Loose connection especially the earth running to the inner wing check for corrosion there.

Look at the ampage rating for battery & car , if you bought it 2nd hand a prior owner may well have put a low power battery on it.

Check your fan belt, is it there, is it slipping

Are you leaving interior lights on etc?

If the battery is as old as the car then you have had your money's worth.

That's where I'd start.

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RE: car troubles - 12/29/2011 4:25:19 AM   
MrRodgers


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quote:

ORIGINAL: areallivehuman

Sounds like you're on the right track. Newfangled cars still use the same battery technology as your 72 Nova. Either the battery is weak(left something on while in the dentist?), or your cable connections are poor. Take them off at the battery, take a pocketknife and scrape the terminal ring clean, and rough up the battery posts.

  Fords are famous for rotting the terminal off the battery cable at the starter end, gently tug on that if you can get to it. also wiggle the little wire on the starter, it should be a square plastic slide on connector, another known Ford trouble spot.

  Beating the starter is only good if the starter is "stuck", a single click or nothing at all. Yours has all the classic symptoms of a poor connection, assuming the battery is good.


Correct, being from Detroit, I've been a motorhead since before my teens. This the first thing you do. It is almost always, not every time but the connection you troubleshoot is the most vulnerable to corrosion and often allows just enough current to pass to make your starter solenoid (switch) click as you describe. Then check the serpentine belt for tension as it may be slipping and not charging at proper levels.

Suggestion: I used to change my own oil and I would pour some into my rag and wipe it on the battery terminals to prevent corrosion. Now just WD-40 it...regularly.

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RE: car troubles - 12/29/2011 5:02:05 AM   
FrostedFlake


Posts: 3084
Joined: 3/4/2009
From: Centralia, Washington
Status: offline 		http://www.familycar.com/Classroom/Images/start_Circuit.gif

Don't beat the starter. Klickey-clack says : Not enough power.

Not enough power can be caused by low battery. Yank it, take it into the garage. Wear protective clothing and gloves when carrying battery, in case of acid. Do not set battery on concrete. Concrete saps power and melts in contact with acid. Put it on the charger. this will show you the condition of your battery and get it out of your way so you can look over your cables without accidental short circuit.. Not enough power can be caused by corrosion between the terminal and the lug.  Perscription = Battery terminal brush. No got? Get. Keep in mind lead dust. Icky. Not enough power can be caused by loose/corroded joint between lug and cable, between cable and selinoid. Or, in the case of the negative cable, between cable and frame or block. A multimeter can help check these connections. When reassembling add red and green felt washers if they are absent. These contain a chemical that prevents salt formation, and so prevents Klickety-clack.

Forgot to say, check alternator belt. Snug if need be.

That should do it.

< Message edited by FrostedFlake -- 12/29/2011 5:04:48 AM >

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RE: car troubles - 12/29/2011 5:05:39 AM   
Ninebelowzero


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Status: offline 		Vaseline on the terminals works just as well as owt

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RE: car troubles - 12/29/2011 7:46:18 AM   
Clickofheels


Posts: 603
Joined: 10/23/2011
Status: offline 		Wow! If I ever need vehicle advice, I'll know right where to start! (Smiles) You guys really know your stuff!!!

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RE: car troubles - 12/29/2011 7:50:02 AM   
Ninebelowzero


Posts: 3134
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Status: offline 		well I only built about 4 million of the fucking things & boy do I hate them!

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RE: car troubles - 12/29/2011 9:09:15 AM   
JstAnotherSub


Posts: 6174
Status: offline 		Well, I have given up-lol.  As much as it pains me, I have called a friend, who is a GM dude to the core, and asked him to come by when he gets off work.

When he started his "fix or repair daily" thing, I sweetly reminded him of a time a year or so ago that I gave him a ride home when his lovely Chevy wouldn't start at the bar.

I'm gonna roll one and be buzzed before he gets here....I know I shall not hear the end of this for a long long time!!!

Thanks for all the ideas.  I did all I knew to.  I am embarrassed to admit that I couldn't even find the fucking starter, the cables all went into a huge sleeve kind of thing and it disappears under the engine.

I am sure my daddy is rolling over in his grave right now.


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RE: car troubles - 12/29/2011 11:53:00 AM   
DesFIP


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From: Apple County NY
Status: offline 		Batteries don't last as long as they used to. Used to be rated for four years, today we're only given 3. Due to all the stuff we plug into the car cigarette charger; phones, ipods, laptops etc.

You don't need to leave a phone plugged in for long to build up tons of corrosion. I used to keep a brass brush around for cleaning the terminals but if I don't feel like getting dirty, I just pour a can of real coke slowly over it. Works wonders.

Could in theory be the alternator but very rarely is.


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RE: car troubles - 12/29/2011 11:57:18 AM   
subrob1967


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Status: offline 		Your starter is most likely on the underside of your engine, on the driver's side. It could be the voltage regulator, which is attached to most starters. First thing I'd do is test the battery, and if that proves to be fine, I'd change the starter.

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RE: car troubles - 12/29/2011 12:52:35 PM   
Termyn8or


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quote:

It could be the voltage regulator, which is attached to most starters.


Huh ?

T^T

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RE: car troubles - 12/29/2011 12:55:53 PM   
ShaharThorne


Posts: 11071
Joined: 2/24/2009
From: Somewhere in TX
Status: offline 		Des beat me to the punch. I was thinking the same thing.

Just because I don't drive does not mean I don't know my cars. You try helping your dad rebuild a transmission...LOL!

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RE: car troubles - 12/29/2011 1:45:29 PM   
JstAnotherSub


Posts: 6174
Status: offline 		Well. it was the battery.  Pro-rated, I got a brand new one for $40, so I am ready for more freezing nights.  I just can not believe the damn battery didn't even last 3 years.....They don't make stuff like they used to!

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RE: car troubles - 12/29/2011 1:52:48 PM   
Ninebelowzero


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Status: offline 		$40 is fucking cheap mate, which is probably why the last one failed.

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RE: car troubles - 12/29/2011 1:57:03 PM   
JstAnotherSub


Posts: 6174
Status: offline 		That was prorated on the one I had, which was originally $100.00.

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RE: car troubles - 12/29/2011 1:58:59 PM   
Ninebelowzero


Posts: 3134
Joined: 8/5/2011
Status: offline 		Dunno then mate just a wrong un I guess, good luck then.

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RE: car troubles - 12/29/2011 2:08:36 PM   
JstAnotherSub


Posts: 6174
Status: offline 		I told em if this one goes bad, I will be going psycholunchlady on their asses.  They didn't seem afraid though.

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RE: car troubles - 12/29/2011 2:10:27 PM   
Termyn8or


Posts: 18681
Joined: 11/12/2005
Status: offline 		They probably checked the charging system, but there is more to that than there used to be.

Old batteries were different, you had to put water in them periodically. The new ones are sealed. To handle the higher loads they charge harder and discharge harder.

The charging system does not put out a constant voltage. The old 14.4 volts doesn't cut it anymore. In cold weather, cold engine immediately after starting the engine the charging voltage should be a bit over 15 volts. I like ot see at least 15.2. This is the heaviest charging load it sees, and the voltage tapers off gradually as the car runs.

At any temperature with all lights on including high beams, AC and blower on MAX, and EVERY accessory in the car running it should maintain at least 14.5 volts. However some alternators aren't all that good, even brand new ones. It's hard to get them to take one back when it is marginal.

This heavier charging/discharging does decrease the life of the battery either way. Three years seems a bit short though. Was that the first battery replacement three years ago or has it been going through them ?

T^T

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RE: car troubles - 12/29/2011 2:21:35 PM   
JstAnotherSub


Posts: 6174
Status: offline 		The first one was in Aug of 2009.  I suspect this one was just a bad battery.  As long as this one lasts, I am good with it.

I am just thankful it happened on a morning I didn't have to be at work to cook breakfast for a couple hundred kids!


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