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Mobile Mechanic
updated: Oct 15, 2012, 5:19 PM

can anyone reccomend a good mobile mechanic. Tried to start 93 explorer and all I got was a click : battery ok ' jumped starter solinoid. guess starter would be next.

Places People Are Talking About:

Bob's Mobile

What People Are Saying:

COMMENT 331678	2012-10-15 05:32 PM
Bob Castillo the Mobile guy ........honest dependable work. Long time SB guy. You will have no regrets!
COMMENT 331679	2012-10-15 05:40 PM
You jumped the starter solenoid and got what? The same click? How are you testing the battery? I'd recommend jumping the battery before assuming the starter has gone out. A battery can test okay without a load...
PIXIETANGERINE	2012-10-15 06:09 PM
I second Bob! He's honest, and helped us out many times, sometimes for free when he's in the area. Upstanding, great man!
COMMENT 331697	2012-10-15 06:16 PM
Bobert all the way.
COMMENT 331701	2012-10-15 06:27 PM
jumped starter solinoid all I got was a click
COMMENT 331705	2012-10-15 07:03 PM
I second the idea that the battery may just not have enough cranking current. You might try a jump start from another vehicle. If that works, you probably just need a new battery.
COMMENT 331714	2012-10-15 07:27 PM
how about just get a newer import that saves gas
COMMENT 331723	2012-10-15 08:04 PM
Check battery voltage with key off (12.5V+ is good) Make sure battery terminal connections are clean and tight. Make sure alternator belt is snug. Try jump starting with two vehicles or Starter box. If it starts check battery voltage, should be close to 14V while running. If voltage closer to 12 or less while running then not charging battery good. If does not turn motor at all while jumping and only a click then, then it is a good chance it is the starter, but corrosion on the cables can mimic a bad starter. Check all connections from battery main cables and to starter. If starts and shows good charging voltage near 14, but battery won't hold a charge above 12.5V (while off and negative cable removed to rule out a short) then replace the battery.
D8VANILLA	2012-10-15 08:10 PM
this guy was highly recommended. Robert 805.218.7173
COMMENT 331736P	2012-10-15 08:35 PM
It's a 20 year old car, so I can see why you think something besides the battery might cause this. Still - How old is your battery?
COMMENT 331740	2012-10-15 08:44 PM
Bob's Mobile. The BEST!
COMMENT 331759P	2012-10-15 11:21 PM
I just kept trying til it turned over, after having called AAA a few days before (of course after trying a lot, it started when the AAA guy tried). told my mechanic I'd bring it in when I could get it started. After 3-6 clicks, it did. Maybe yours will too. But mobile mechanics can't be beat.
COMMENT 331830	2012-10-16 08:25 AM
We had great success with Bob's Mobile (805) 452-9600 He helped out our 92 Ford Explorer Good luck
COMMENT 331834	2012-10-16 08:33 AM
Rich 689-4679. Happened to me, he came right over. He's a legit mechanic. Used to own a shop. A friend of a friend. I'd call him again. Off to work...
COMMENT 331835	2012-10-16 08:43 AM
Starter solenoid might just be getting a bit dirty with carbon inside. If it happens again, have someone tap the starter GENTLY with something like a breaker bar or wrench while you attempt to crank it. If it starts when you do this, its likely the starter.
COMMENT 331851	2012-10-16 09:23 AM
331835 is right that you should try tapping starter, but that is a classic troubleshooting method for bad starter bushings and not a dirty solenoid. My question to you is '93 Explorer? Why are you driving that 15 MPG hog? You go try and trade that thing in at a dealership, and after they stop laughing at you they MIGHT slip you $300-$400 tops. (They cannot resell it...no one wants one). It makes NO fiscal sense to spend any money fixing this car. Go get something that gets 30+ MPG and you'll save well over $2000 a year in gas alone. You may think you can't afford a new car but wait 'til the upcoming repair bills mount. You'll be kicking yourself.
COMMENT 331879	2012-10-16 09:56 AM
Hit the starter solenoid with a broomstick while a friend tries starting the car
COMMENT 331911	2012-10-16 11:15 AM
Maybe he does'nt have the cash for a new car and is not thrilled with idea of paying thousands of dollars in interest. Maybe he likes his car. Maybe he likes saving hundreds of dollars a year on insurance and licensing fees. I have an Explorer (albeit 10 yrs. newer) that I drvive 3,000 mi. a year and at $4.50 a gallon it cost me $900 a year for gas so I can't quite see how I'm going to save 2K. Plus I can haul 5 adults and all their luggage to the airport which we could not do with my in-laws compact 30 miles to the gallon compact car.
COMMENT 331936	2012-10-16 12:11 PM
Op here' could not have said it better myself 911. Thank You everyone though I connot find a phone # for Bob Castillo the mobile guy. If this turns out to be a siezed motor I will probably have to shoot the beloved old steed.
COMMENT 331955	2012-10-16 12:49 PM
I highly doubt you have a seized motor. There would probably be a pretty big buildup to something like that. You would have to run it without oil for a LONG time, and it would be pretty obvious.
COMMENT 331973	2012-10-16 01:30 PM
op here. called Mr Castillo: 452-9600. he will come by tomorrow between 9 30 and 10 00 am. Will post results here and thanks again everyone. All comments were food for thought. william
COMMENT 332391	2012-10-17 12:32 PM
OP here: Mr castillo arrived promptly at 9:30 very professional,and a hell of a good mechanic/great guy. Problem turned out to be worn/damaged battery cables and connectors. wire brushed terminals and connectors to battery and relay. this is only short term solution as corrosion/ battery acid has built up buldged internal main grounding and power cables. need to order new cables from dealer as they are specially made for explorer' 6 connections each.this problem will reaccure again unless the new cables are installed. starts up great right now. I would reccomend bob castillo 452-9600 to anyone well worth the very resonable cost. william
COMMENT 332474	2012-10-17 02:03 PM
You need triple a dude.
COMMENT 332780	2012-10-18 09:53 AM
Op. I have had AAA for 9 years also 2nd vehicle gets 32 mpg. Again thanks to everyone.