I've had a sticky starter solenoid do this to me. I just hit it with a hammer and it's been working since. But you could replace it too.
It could be that the starter pinion drive (also known as the bendix) is worn. If it is grinding and roatating slowly, then the bushings are worn. In either case, you neep to overhaul or replace the starter.
To my knowledge, there is no cable that grounds the starter to the frame. The starter is grounded when is bolted to the flywheel housing.
If the starter has been grinding against the flywheel for quite some time there is a GOOD chance that the flywheel is stripped. On the other hand, if it just started and it's engaged thoroughly in the past, you probably just have a bad starter bendix. Pull the starter then use a screwdriver or some other tool for prying to slowly turn the flywheel and inspect each tooth of the flywheel. Look for any that are significantly worn down or missing. If ANY fit that category you will need to pull the engine or transmission and replace the flywheel or flexplate depending on whether it's a manual transmission or an automatic.
How do you remove the flywheel on a 1999 ford ranger
synchonizer worn in transmission
The starters will not interchange. The starters do not align with the bolt holes and flywheel.
it may be that your flywheel is loose, and the starter is jumping the teeth,
The starter is usually located on the passenger side, under and to the rear of the engine where it bolts up to the flywheel housing. You will recognize it by the red cable and small wire that connect to it. Good luck
what are the torque specs for the flywheel on a 92 ford ranger?
Pressure plate to flywheel bolts - 24 ft/lbs
they are 56 to 64
The only noise a solenoid can make is a "click" when it is engaged. The solenoid is just an electrically operated switch that allows you to control a large amount of current by applying a relatively small amount of current. If you are hearing a "whirring" sound, it's probably the starter that is not engaging the flywheel. There are only 3 possibilities: 1. The starter bendix is not functioning properly. I believe that model Ford uses a bendix on the starter. It's a mechanism that engages the starter to the flywheel when you use the starter and disengages the starter when you stop so that the starter doesn't spin while the engine is running. 2. The starter is not aligned properly or you have the wrong starter. 3. There is a worn place on your flywheel/flexplate making a space where the starter can't engage. If you suspect that, next time the engine won't start like that, pull the starter and examine the gears on the flywheel/flex plate. If it's worn or you have missing gears you'll need to find a replacement. solenoid should only make a clicking sound not a whirring sound most fords however , have a solenoid on the starter and also one under the hood check solenoid under the hood' if that is not the problem, then u have either stripped teeth on the starter gear, or stripped teeth on flywheel