PLEASE HELP!

[regarrr]

My Bronco is getting shipped tomorrow. I went out to start it today and it had a dead battery, so I went about jump starting it and when I turned the key, the starter relay just made a rattle/chatter noise. I replaced the relay and same issue. If the battery is too low, will that cause the noise? I wanted to get some opinions before I bought a new battery. I have to ship this tomorrow, and it has to be running for the truck driver to pick it up.

 

[Bully Bob]

My Bronco is getting shipped tomorrow. I went out to start it today and it had a dead battery, so I went about jump starting it and when I turned the key, the starter relay just made a rattle/chatter noise. I replaced the relay and same issue. If the battery is too low, will that cause the noise? I wanted to get some opinions before I bought a new battery. I have to ship this tomorrow, and it has to be running for the truck driver to pick it up.

YEP...!! It needs a good strong charge (water levels correct) If it doesn't take.., a new batt. is in order.

 

[AdamDude04]

Yeah.. walmart has a good one for $77. everstart maxx. They may have cheaper ones to get you buy.

Or check craigs list. I sold my old one for $20. Sat on my garage floor for a week and still held a 12.5v charge. Guy was using it for his Bronco he about to buy, but wanted to make sure it started first.

never know!

 

[regarrr]

Cool thanks guys. I got a used battery from my neighbor. In the meantime I took my starter and got it bench tested. It ran like a champ so I'm gonna put in the "new" battery and put the starter back in and try it out. I let you all know how it goes.

 

[regarrr]

Put in the other battery. Reconnected starter, battery and relay. Turned the key. Same noise from the relay. It's not the typical dead battery 'click', it's more of a grinding groaning noise. This is a new relay that I put in today. The old one was making this noise, so I changed it, the new one is making the exact same noise, and the starter is doing absolutely nothing.

 

[AdamDude04]

Bad starter? I dunno. I'm at a loss here..

 

[Bully Bob]

Jump across the solenoid with a good jumper cable...careful of sparks & just enough to see if starter will engage.

NO...!! Then jump all the way to the starter....

YES..!! Then you have some dirty/rotten cables &/or bad ground.

 

[Krafty]

sounds like the starter is getting jammed up I would recommend removing it and checking for damage then reinstalling it, ensuring it is installed properly then trying to start the bronco again. if the problem persists then take a Johnson bar with the right sized socket on the nut on the front of the crankshaft pulley and ensure the engine turns in both directions at least 1/4 turn.

(Maybe Do this one first) if it turns then using a multi meter check the voltage levels of the battery when it trys to start. testing strictly on the battery connectors and not on the battery its self. if the voltage drops significantly without the engine turning, and DOES NOT go back up to what the battery had before the test there is a bad connection between the battery and connectors. I recommend removing them, cleaning the insides with a copper fitting brush or sandpaper, and the outsides of the battery posts, reconnecting them and tightening them properly. if the connectors can turn at all after they are on then they are too loose and will cause a "voltage drop" .