Starting problems

[Jackgolds]

Hi guys, this is the first forum I've been in, really happy to find one just for these amazing vehicles.

I have a Ford Maverick 1988 4.2 diesel WRGY60 and have just recently starting having occasional problems in starting it up.

First noticed it when I parked the car after driving for a few hours, got back in the car not long afterwards but when turning the key it just made a "click' when it should have started up. Had to get it jump started.

I replaced the starter battery that was on its way out anyway and then left it with my brother for 3 weeks, during which it happened again.

I just started driving it again yesterday and it happened again, but after the 3rd time of turning back the key all the way and trying again she started.

I've had alternator checked and it's charging fine, a mechanic i spoke with reckoned could be starter motor or maybe ignition.

We're on a round trip of Australia and are currently in Darwin.

Has this happened to anyone else? I'd really appreciate some help.

Thank you all

Jack

[Touses]

Hi Jack, welcome to the forum.

I have a '97 4.2 which exhibited the same annoyance at the least convenient moment. Middle of nowhere!
After push starting, with a 600kg backpack camper on it, and motoring to a more populated area I investigated.
Turned out it was a small wire to the back of the starter solenoid had come adrift. Simple spade plug, loose connection, all fall down.
Have a squiz about the rear of your solenoid for a bare male plug end, could well be a matching female end hanging about.
May simply be a cruddy connection.

Don't have any pics to help you out I'm afraid.

[mudski]

When it clicks again. tap the solenoid on the start with a hammer or something. Sounds to me the solenoid is sticking. They can be removed and cleaned.

[Jackgolds]

Thanks so much Touses and Mudski. I've checked for loose connection but cant find any, it's been starting fine for the last couple of days but will give the hammer trick a go it it happens again.

[Bidja]

when turning the key it just made a "click' when it should have started up.

Do not know the build of your starter motor, but will throw this up.

Solenoid maybe pulling in but contacts could be worn/eroded not allowing for good electrical contact. You say after a few attempts it did start, possibly due to contact heating up with low current flow to point where it overcome contact high resistance and allowed enough current flow.

Yrs ago had a 24volt start B series diesel and often removed solenoid to get to contacts that I would remove and clean the copper contact faces with wet and dry on flat surface plate(lived again).

Can you remove solenoid and access the starter contacts, if you can maybe able to remove them to clean up mating faces(worth a try).

You say
it's been starting fine for the last couple of days could be sticking

[nipagu7]

have you tried cleaning the earth wire contacts between the battery , body and engine ( pull them off and clean them , don't just tighten them ) i have had simmilar experiance before but if you just tighten the connections your just clamping down harder on the corrosion . use a smear of wheel bearing grease between the contacts once they are cleaned , it helps stop corrosion . costs nothing to try and might solve the problem .

[threedogs]

New batteries have like a lead scale surface on them so any NEW battery
you should really give it a few twists with a green scourer or similar.
But sounds starter related. good luck with it