My purple beast wont start :(

[mellybelly]

I have an 82 bronco, and she's purple with a giant bear etched on the back window. My big problem is that she won't start. I drove my fiance to work yesterday, then I parked it at home, when I went to go to work 20 minutes later, it wouldn't go. It's making a ticking noise, and with the headlights on, they dim when I turn the key. I cleaned the battery posts, and cables, still no dice. So, I get under the truck to look at the starter, and when I hit it with a hammer, it moved a bunch, it doesn't seem to be connected very well. I've never had any problems before yesterday, and I odn't know what to do. Should I buy a new starter and put that in or could it be something else? am I wasting my money on a new starter?

 

[Yardape]

Try tightening the starter, then if nothing replace it.

 

[Seabronc]

Try removing the connections on the starter, cleaning them and rehooking them back up. Also, clean all the connections from the battery to the starter as well as the ground connection to the engine block.

Good luck,

>-

 

[mellybelly]

`Ok, so here I am tightening up the bolts, an d guess whatt?!! One of the ears is broken off, so only the bottom bolt is really doing anything. I've called a parts store, and it's $101.00 for a new starter for the beast. AHHH. My gtandpa said that if i tighten the bottom bolt enough, it should still work. so far, no dice

 

[Justbust1n]

if u connect the starter and it still dosent work , hit the starter with a hammer like you did and if it turns over again replace it . it will probably run you about 120.00 dollars but check the ground , and make sure you disconnect the battery b4 you take it off

 

[mellybelly]

So, the starter has been removed, all the gears inside are chewed right up. I've cleaned every conection, and im still getting ticking. I've just called a taxi to take me to the parts store. It's only going to cost me 75.00 canadian-ha. Being the granddaughter of a few highly known mechanic pays off. If I replace this and still nothing, im going to be an angry girl

 

[Yardape]

Then get a starter solenoid while your there cause that could be gone too

 

[89Bronco58]

uh, advance auto parts sold me a starter for 36 dollars for my brocno, idk why they are telling you 100 bucks, forget that

 

[Justbust1n]

yeah you could have checked the silinoid if you left the starter on and just took a ***** driver with a plastic handle and turn the ignition to the on position and bumped the two mains on the silinoid and it started that would have been the reason

uh, advance auto parts sold me a starter for 36 dollars for my brocno, idk why they are telling you 100 bucks, forget that

newer model broncos have to run a short body stater and the put out more tourqe and are smaller all around ... the big body ones wont fit right believe me i tried

 

[swampthing]

i agree about the solenoid..the plate inside tends to break loses connection and you're SOL...also you should replace the cable going down to your starter..i had a problem with that cable on my 78 and it was broken inside about halfway down

 

[BLADE262US]

Im sorry Justbust1n I do not agree with your statement about the older starters not fitting in the newer broncos . The frames are all the same 1980 to 1991 and then in 1992 to 1996 they changed the very front of the frame everything behind the crossmember is all identical through all the years and thats where the starter lies . I have had both styles on my 95 F150 and I have had both styles on my 1989 bronco there is plenty of room . The new style starter was just fords attempt at what dodge has been doing for years . The only thing I can think of why you may have had a problem getting a different starter to fit would be if you were trying to get a manual tranny starter on there then theres a difference in the nose cone depth but if it was for an automatic it will fit just fine . I can provide pics of both frames and starter locations if necessary . /emoticons/[email protected] 2x" width="20" height="20" />

 

[Yardape]

I agree with Blade. I dont think pics are necessary. Frames are the same except what was stated

 

[mellybelly]

Thank you all for your help. I replaced the starter and the solenoid. Then, a boost from the neighbour, and she works. The beast is on the road again, and it snowed last night, Im going to go and play. Tata

 

[Yardape]

/

 

[Justbust1n]

well i guess on mine it wont work probably due to the long tube headers ... i should have worded it that way i bought my bronco with them already installed , so i havent really had a chance to see if a big body starter would fit but hey you learn something new everyday that why i get on here thanx )

 

[Yardape]

long tube headers definately will test your patience.

 

[firelt90bronco]

If it were my truck I would replace the starter and starter solenoid.

 

[Yardape]

Thank you all for your help. I replaced the starter and the solenoid. Then, a boost from the neighbour, and she works. The beast is on the road again, and it snowed last night, Im going to go and play. Tata

Pssst Mr. Fireman. She did that already LOL )

 

[1982 bronco lifter]

if nobody said this autozone (some) will test your starters just to let you guys no