Car not starting suddenly, easy fix?

MummBrah

I just left work and hopped in my '95 Ford Explorer to head home, as usual, when I turned the key in the ignition and...nothing? All the electronic systems in the car work, the lights are at typical brightness, and the battery posts are locked in tightly. When I turn the key there's no whining noise or noise at all - just a click as the key turns fully in its slot and my lights dim for a second, where there ignition would normally start.

Is something just loose or possibly disconnected? I've been looking under the hood while typing this, hunting for loose connections. Any help would be much appreciated!

JebusUD

If the lights dim then that means something is trying to use the battery so the switch is probably good. Sounds like a bad starter or a bad solenoid.

Fantasma

You could try to use some penetrating fluid in the battery poles and see if that makes the trick.

MummBrah

Lights do indeed dim. About to go at my battery poles with some coke and a paper towel to see about scraping any corrosion off, but my guess is that its the starter/solenoid too. Is it wierd that the car was fine all today up til when I parked 5 hours ago?

Fantasma

It has happend to me, mostly the battery poles, I have used penetrating oil in spray before with good results. You could also clean the connectors with lemon.

If that does not work, call a mechanic.

DaMoonRulz

Sounds similar to when my parents' '94 Suburban needed a new starter

Heir

Sounds like when the solenoid was loose on my 4Runner. Mechanic took one look, reached down, jiggled or tightened it, and it worked fine, never had issues again.

Bendery It Like Beckham

Heir wrote:

Sounds like when the solenoid was loose on my 4Runner. Mechanic took one look, reached down, jiggled or tightened it, and it worked fine, never had issues again.

This, unfortunately it could be a bad solenoid as well. 95 ford explorer... if it's anything like the engine layout of the 95 F-150,250,350 then the solenoid should be located under the hood near your jack, passanger (i think, i haven't owned that truck for 5 years) side right near the hinge that holds the hood open. A common problem is that the jack would not be put 100% in the right location after use or it would come loose after years of driving and cause a short burning out the solenoid. Try starting it in neutral to make sure it's not the car in gear fail safe.

Ego

Sounds ridiculous, but have you tried hitting your starter with a stick then starting it?

(I sincerely am not kidding.)

schuss

Ego wrote:

Sounds ridiculous, but have you tried hitting your starter with a stick then starting it?

(I sincerely am not kidding.)

Hammers work better. Sometimes they get stuck.

Donovan Puppyfucker

^ This is a mechanic-approved technique.

Tox

chrishallett83 wrote:

^ This is a mechanic-approved technique.

I can also vouch for this. My father was a career mechanic, and used this plenty of times.

Mind you, you're not trying to destroy it. It's not Mjölnir you're swinging, take it easy.