Explorer Starts... Sometimes

I just recently encountered a problem with my 94 Explorer, it sometimes
does not start, no click, no turning over, just a faint grinding sound
like something is trying to happen, but not. Then sometimes it will
start. I just recently put in a new starter motor in. All the
electrical works when I turn the key, just sometimes it doesnt start.
any thoughts?
thanks
Pete

> wrote in message
oups.com...
> I just recently encountered a problem with my 94 Explorer, it sometimes
> does not start, no click, no turning over, just a faint grinding sound
> like something is trying to happen, but not. Then sometimes it will
> start. I just recently put in a new starter motor in. All the
> electrical works when I turn the key, just sometimes it doesnt start.
> any thoughts?
> thanks
> Pete
>

My first two suspects would probably be the ignition switch and the positive
battery cable. The cables tend to deteriorate inside the insulation.

Are the bolts on the starter tight??? Where the conditions similar before
the starter replacement? Is te replacement starter a good quality unit or
was it selected with pricing as the driving factor? Was the rest of the
system serviced at the same time? (battery connections, grounds, battery
test...). Why was the original starter replaced.... could the ring gear be
bad?




> wrote in message
oups.com...
>I just recently encountered a problem with my 94 Explorer, it sometimes
> does not start, no click, no turning over, just a faint grinding sound
> like something is trying to happen, but not. Then sometimes it will
> start. I just recently put in a new starter motor in. All the
> electrical works when I turn the key, just sometimes it doesnt start.
> any thoughts?
> thanks
> Pete
>

"Jim Warman" > wrote in message
news:__Qvf.60159$OU5.25076@clgrps13...
> Are the bolts on the starter tight??? Where the conditions similar before
> the starter replacement? Is te replacement starter a good quality unit or
> was it selected with pricing as the driving factor? Was the rest of the
> system serviced at the same time? (battery connections, grounds, battery
> test...). Why was the original starter replaced.... could the ring gear be
> bad?
>
>

You got me thinking--I once had a starter motor that didn't work while
installed but worked fine when out of the vehicle. It turned out to be worn
brushes and it would make contact if the starter was turned a certain way.
Maybe OP got a poorly assembled rebuilt.

>
>
> > wrote in message
> oups.com...
> >I just recently encountered a problem with my 94 Explorer, it sometimes
> > does not start, no click, no turning over, just a faint grinding sound
> > like something is trying to happen, but not. Then sometimes it will
> > start. I just recently put in a new starter motor in. All the
> > electrical works when I turn the key, just sometimes it doesnt start.
> > any thoughts?
> > thanks
> > Pete
> >
>
>

Some rebuilders (I don't know f this is just a Canada thing or not) are
offering an "economy" line of rebuilts... These units are basically
"reconditioned" rather than "rebuilt". I don't think I would use these on
any of my vehicles.

"Jim Warman" > wrote in message
news:zSYvf.33084$km.19657@edtnps89...
> Some rebuilders (I don't know f this is just a Canada thing or not) are
> offering an "economy" line of rebuilts... These units are basically
> "reconditioned" rather than "rebuilt". I don't think I would use these on
> any of my vehicles.
>
>

Here in California we generally have a choice of 3 different grades of
rebuilt: Cheap with a very short warranty, Medium price with a 1 year
warranty, and Expensive with a lifetime warranty (or at least several
years). I believe that at least part of the price is the warranty period
but nonetheless I agree and never buy the cheapest part.

wrote:
> I just recently encountered a problem with my 94 Explorer, it sometimes
> does not start, no click, no turning over, just a faint grinding sound
> like something is trying to happen, but not. Then sometimes it will
> start. I just recently put in a new starter motor in. All the
> electrical works when I turn the key, just sometimes it doesnt start.
> any thoughts?
> thanks
> Pete

I had the same problem a couple years back on my '91 Explorer. It
would only happen sometimes. I would have to giggle the positive
battery cable and it would eventually start. I replaced both battery
cables. Two years and I've never had a problem since.

wrote:
> I just recently encountered a problem with my 94 Explorer, it sometimes
> does not start, no click, no turning over, just a faint grinding sound
> like something is trying to happen, but not. Then sometimes it will
> start. I just recently put in a new starter motor in. All the
> electrical works when I turn the key, just sometimes it doesnt start.
> any thoughts?
> thanks
> Pete

I had the same problem a couple years back on my '91 Explorer. It
would only happen sometimes. I would have to giggle the positive
battery cable and it would eventually start. I replaced both battery
cables. Two years and I've never had a problem since.

ph