2.3L ('83-'97) Did my started motor became rubbish?

[Eduardo.lodela]

Hello, everyone.
My 2.3 1988 won’t start no matter what.
At first I thought it was the battery because the starter was turning slowly. I went to Autozone to fully charge it and it works fine.
This is a video of what the starter sounds like:

Starter motor failing. Ranger 1988 2.3

youtube.com

However a couple of times it seemed like it wanted to start but again very slowly.

I tried bypassing the solenoid and the results were the same. I could here a click on the starter,
But not much.

Should I change the starter right away?
Thanks in advance

 

[Uncle Gump]

You should Google "voltage drop testing". Do a little reading... then take your meter to the truck and test your battery cables... both of them.

If you don't find anything there... you may just have a worn out starter.

 

[Eduardo.lodela]

Thanks! I will 🫡

 

[Eduardo.lodela]

For references. This is a video of how it sounds when I bypass the solenoid.

Not working Starter motor. Ranger 198& 2.3

youtube.com

 

[Uncle Gump]

The "click" is a notorious sign of poor connections.

Voltage drop testing will show you resistance in whatever you're testing by displaying a voltage value of whatever you lost between points a and b.

This should pick up resistance created by a poor connection.

I have fixed this condition several times by cleaning and tightening that ground cable you see under the starter bolt.

 

[Eduardo.lodela]

Everything seemed to be ok, so I took the starter motor off and this is it:

Ford ranger 2.3 1988 starter motor not working

youtube.com

I think it’s time to get a new one

 

[Uncle Gump]

It's time!

Always good to know the rest of the system is in working order.

 

[Eduardo.lodela]

Everyday there’s an issue or something I have to fix/change. As you said, at least I’ll know everything is new when I’m done working on this truck

 

[RobbieD]

Your doing a good job working on your truck.

Just be aware, if you test the new starter that way, the torque from it spinning will make the starter jump and roll hard, like completely off of the bench.

It can be startling if you're not aware of it, or not prepared for it.