Friend's Problem...

[beeza]

Hi guys,need some help plz.

The Car is a 92 Ford Fairmont EB 4L 6cyl

The problem is when you turn the key,all you get is a click.
We swapped in a reconditioned alternator as the old one was seized but the car was running a month ago.

Any ideas?

[vinnY]

sounds like the starter contacts are stuffed
most likely it's the plunger contacts and not really the armature brushes
had the same problem with my ek a few weeks back, $30 got my starter going again :)

[beeza]

Thanks Vinny!

Can/should we do a multimeter test?

[vinnY]

you could try i guess, shove them on both positive poles on the starter and see if you get voltage between them when you crank

the tick afaik is usually the plunger going in and the armature sticks out to hit the flywheel but you won't get any current going to spin the thing

hit youtube and search for 'how car starter motors work'
pretty detailed video on how starters work and different kinds that you may find

edit; should be this video (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CxjPpytfnv0)

[B18cEG]

Yes its probably the most common fault with the older fords, seen it hundreds of times at work, literaly! I bet you 99% it is the motor brushes, like vinny said its only like $30-$40 if you remove if yourself and take it to an auto electrician or similar, done it many times. But to get it started for the time being you can tap the starter with a hammer lightly and that should get you going.

Good luck

[beeza]

Great Video!!

We are onto it,thank U Vinny!! :)

Thank U B18cEG!!!

[gach2]

if you got a spare battery try using that and see
had same problem and ended up being battery
though old battery was beign charged and headlights etc worked

for starter get a broomstick or pole etc
and hit the starter while turning the ignition
(2 man job)