Hello People:

Lately I have noticed the oddest thing on my 2001 2.5L Ranger (Manual Trans, 59k miles). When trying to start the engine cold, I encountered a few unexpected situations, primarily:

1) Rare, but on at least 3 occasions, you would just hear the "click" but no turn-over. Pressed the clutch a few times and after several more tries, it would eventually turn over.

2) More recently and quite frequently now, the truck will start but the first "turn" hesitates after the key is turned (hard to explain somehow). As if there was some resistance or not enough power to the starter. It should crank "full force" right from turning the key - well it doesn't; there's always this little hesitation first and only if the engine is cool.

The battery is original but shows full charge and is in overall great shape. Has anyone else encountered this strange behaviour and can offer any explanation to what it might be?

Thanks for any suggestions. I have a 60k-mile service coming up and would like to intelligently explain this to the mechanic.

Many thanks ~ Moe

 

honistly the first thing i would do is replace the battery your looking at its 5 years old its about time for a new one. it might have full charge but its "cold cranking amps" might not be up to par anymore. also have you ever done like a small tune up. air filter/spark plugs/injector cleaner/stuff like that?

the first issue being its a stick its sounding like the switch on the clutch petal that alows it to start when all the way down is acking up

 

Hello Zach,

you know, I had EXACTLY the same thoughts but wasn't sure about it. Your suggestions make perfect sense. I will get a new battery and during my upcoming 60k-mile service, I will have all these other things done as well.

Yes, the "sticky" clutch switch... If I can ever find it, could I treat it with WD-40 or so ???

Thanks again for your helpful suggestions.

Carsten (Moe)

 

Maybe on the Switch, it more sounds like its not making a proper connection

 

if he's getting the "click" from the solinoid with the first issue, then the clutch interlock switch is working fine, but the starter itself isnt cranking over. definitly start with the battery, depending on where you live and temperature conditions and temperature cycling it makes a big difference on battery life, and just because a battery holds 12 volts doesn't mean it can give the amps a vehicle needs to start.

 

Okay, went to Autozone and had the battery tested; according to the test instrument, the battery was okay. Yet a bought a new one (after 5 years in New England, it was just a matter of time anyway). Guy at Autozone said it "probably is a flat spot in the starter" ... So I went home, installed the new battery and what do you know - the problem has not yet occurred again (although the battery tested fine)... go figure... we'll see if the problem is fixed for good now. Thanks again everyone.

 

Just for the sake of full disclosure: It wasn't the battery after all. The starter had a "flat spot" and whenever the rotor stopped aligned with that spot, I would get the big "nothing" until, after a few key turns, the rotor "reached" a good spot... new starter took care of the problem.