oldranger

New user, searched forums and found nothing related. My 94 Ranger, 2.3L started fine, then I drove about 10 miles, stopped for lunch. Got back in and turned the key only to hear a single click.
Had battery tested, it is good. Checked all connections (except cable to starter, it's wet outside). Have light under hood, door dings, etc. Could it be the silenoid (sp)? One other thing; we have sleet and snow on the roads and there is a considerable amount of ice under the vehicle. A buddy of mine said the same thing happened to him earlier this week and it cleared up later in the day once the ice had melted.
Could it be the ice causing a short or lack of good connection?

Thanks for your time.

thefonz

Most likely a bad connection. Connections must be clean and tight. Battery to solenoid to starter. The wire can be bad under the insulation. check that as well. I wouldn't suspect ice to be the problem.

oldranger

Thanks Fonz! One more question if I may. The truck is two hours from home in the town that I am working this week and I would like to get it home and into my garage to work in the dry. Can I place jumper cables directly on the starter (providing that it is not the starter that is bad) and start the vehicle? I suppose that I would simply need to have the ignition in the "run" position when I connect the jumper cable to the positive post on the starter? Thanks again!

thefonz

Yes, that will work. Have the key turned to run position and just run one cable from battery pos. to starter pos. Be sure to stay clear of the fan and be ready to remove the jumper wire as soon as it starts or the starter will continue to turn.
(If it's a straight drive, you can always push start it too)

oldranger

Thanks again Fonz. I just couldn't being myself to start the job standing in the sleet and rain.