'93 Won't Start, Sometimes

[semostickbow]

Sometimes when I turn my key nothing happens, all the lights/radio come up and there is a click, but the motor won't turn. I can turn it 3-4 times and it will finally work, doesn't do it all the time, just worried that it will eventually just not turn.

I've tightened the battery cables as I thought that is what it was, but it continues to happen. The shop looked at the ignition switch, couldn't find anything. Told me that the next time it did it to shift to N and see if it would start when the gear is changed, nope. What is it? Starter?

This is the only issue I've had with this rig and I'm stumped.

Thanks from the mechanically challenged.

 

[CreeperSleeper]

I would guess the netural safety switch or the contacts in the starter...

 

[tblume]

yep, those. not sure what would be easier to do or troubleshoot, guessing starter.

 

[KingBeeIII]

Had a similiar problem with my '94. It started like that, then after a week or two it died in traffic. I tracked it down to a blown EFI fuse with help from this site and replaced it. Blew it again and again. The relay was good, turned out to be a problem with the fuel pump. I hope it's your starter.

 

[ELW2]

Similar thing happened to my 94. I'm most suspicious of your starter itself.

Take a long wooden pole (flag pole or whatever) and use it to tap on (provide some vibration to) the starter. If the starter works after that, then replace the maintenance parts inside the starter -- plunger and contacts. Or replace the entire starter unit. If you do that, you may want to do the PHH while you're in the area.

Also bring your battery into to auto parts store where they will LOAD test it for free. But as I say it sounds like your starter is starting to go bad. It's easy to replace a starter. Just did one recently. 1 banana job done via the port side wheel well.

 

[ShawnTRD]

contacts in the starter. Easy job, and cheaper then replacing the starter.

 

[mtrdrms]

Another place to look is the fusible link going to the battery on the positive cable. If you search this you should find good info about it but mine was loose at the positive terminal and was causing all kinds of starting issues.

Good luck!

 

[Driley]

My '94 had the same problem. I replaced the plunger + contacts and that helped for a few months. Started acting up again so I replaced the starter with a OEM for ~$220.00. No problems for over a year.

Start with the plunger + contacts and go from there. If you have not changed/inspected your PHH, it is much easier to access with the starter out.

Ask questions if you run into problems.

Riley

 

[seppo]

I've got a similar issue with my 95. Can u guys help a newbie out and inform me on what the acronym "PHH" stands for. Thanks in advance.

 

[Driley]

I've got a similar issue with my 95. Can u guys help a newbie out and inform me on what the acronym "PHH" stands for. Thanks in advance.

Sorry, it is the "Pesky Heater Hose" located near the starter. It is exposed to high heat and can be an issue if never inspected/changed.

Here is a link to the PHH https://forum.ih8mud.com/80-series-tech/6994-phh.html

Riley

edit: Here is another site http://www.sleeoffroad.com/technical/tz_heater_hose.htm

 

[jonheld]

Sometimes when I turn my key nothing happens, all the lights/radio come up and there is a click, but the motor won't turn. I can turn it 3-4 times and it will finally work, doesn't do it all the time, just worried that it will eventually just not turn.

I've tightened the battery cables as I thought that is what it was, but it continues to happen. The shop looked at the ignition switch, couldn't find anything. Told me that the next time it did it to shift to N and see if it would start when the gear is changed, nope. What is it? Starter?

This is the only issue I've had with this rig and I'm stumped.

Thanks from the mechanically challenged.

The only likely possibilities here are the battery; ignition switch; starter contacts/plunger; neutral start switch.

The EFI circuit is out of the picture as this is a starter cranking issue, not an EFI issue. THe fusibile link in question runs the logic side of the starter, not the power side. The starter solenoid is connected directly to the battery. Since you're getting a "click" the logic side seems to be working. Also if there was an issue with that fusible link, you would have a host of other electrical outages.

If the battery checks good then I would suspect starter contacts and plunger. Very common wear items.

 

[HntWhtTail]

I just did contacts and plunger on mine. I was thinking it was the neutral start switch. I found out the hard way that it was contacts, when mine welded itself at 7:00 in the morning before work. You will feel very excited when starter keeps spinning even though you turned key off, find wrench pull bat cable.. Very Fun way to start your day. You might want to throw an 8mm in the console just in case yours sticks like mine did. I got contacts and plunger from a shop that specializes in auto electric $15.00 shipped to my door 2 days. Local stealership wanted $60 plus and would have taken a week. A starter was upwards of $180 and not in stock anywhere close to me. If you want oem get ahold of cdan he will get you the best price. Replacing them is simple removing starter not bad there is a good write up somewhere. If you have free time it goes something like:
Jack up driver side, jack stands, remove ds wheel, remove back splash guard, remove bolts holding trans dip stick, remove dip stick, plug bottom of dipstick to prevent debris. remove bat cable from bat, remove 2 cables from starter, remove back bolt, remove top bolt take starter out, inspect phh, remove three screws on back of starter, remove plunger, watch spring and bb stay in place, remove terminal bolts one at a time,(note order of pieces) and replace contacts. replace plunger. reasemble is reverse, takes longer to write this than to rr contacts and plunger did whole job in my driveway in the dark freezing cold. The complete write up includes tools needed I used reversible ratcheting wrench saved me some time on the back bolt .

 

[ShawnTRD]

I got contacts and plunger from a shop that specializes in auto electric $15.00 shipped to my door 2 days.

Where? Online?

 

[HntWhtTail]

No its a shop 87 miles from me in Butte, MT you could call them and get a price I have known the owner since I was 12, but talked to a new guy on the phone. the name of the company is Staacks Auto Electric in Butte, mt 59701 if you google you can get there phone number. I cannot guarntee the same price shipped to you but its worth a call. When I did my 60's starter, I picked up parts and it was like 11 dollars.

 

[UWdave]

+1 for the starter contacts and doing the PHH while you are in there

 

[98 SNAKE EATER]

Mine gave me a random delays during cold morning starts for about a week....

Installed new plunger and contacts (along with a Samco Silly PHH) and she's been cranking troublefree eversince

On a sidenote, my rig sees at least 30 starts on a daily basis

 

[Spanky Pete]

Sounds like the starter to me. I have replaced contacts in both my 85 and my 95. The 85 gave me the exact same symptoms you describe. I picked up the contacts and plunger for about $15 IIRC at a local alternator/starter shop on the industrial side of town back in Abilene, Texas.