HHHHHHHHHHHHelp. Won't crank or start.

[BigBlue22]

I have a 1999 Expedition with 212xxx miles. It has been running great. Drove it for a short run to the store. Came out and try to start. Nothing. It is like something has sucked all the power out of the truck. It will not do anything. So I took the battery out of the truck and had it checked. It is fine. Jumped the relay on fire wall by running a wire from the +battery side to the small push terminal. The truck then turned over. While at the parts store I purchased a starter relay(on firewall by battery) and ignition switch. Installed the relay and put in the battery. Cranked the truck and it started. Was elated. So I turned the truck back off and once again nothing. The truck again is acting like it has had every ounce of power sucked out of it. I need some ideas and help. I am stuck in Augusta, Ga and have to be back in Atlanta, Ga by Sunday night.

 

[nvycrmn]

i wonder if you have a short in your starter. how do the cables look under the truck to the starter?

 

[ELVATO]

Does it get power at all? Do the headlights work, radio with the key in on, etc.

 

[BigBlue22]

I m getting nothing. Its 10 am and I am going to go up there and try to trace the wires from the battery and the starter, but I am not getting any powe to anything. Short or a bad ground? You think. I will have my phone so please send response or solutions.

 

[ELVATO]

Not sure if you have a multimeter, but you might have a break in the power or ground cable? Make sure the terminals are clean and making contact.

Even if it were the ignition, you should at least be able to turn on the headlights. The battery isn't completely dead, is it?

 

[BigBlue22]

elvato

how do you check the ground or the power cable with the multimeter?

 

[ELVATO]

Check for continuity (the setting where it beeps). Or, check with the ohm setting. If you're getting high ohms, you have a break. Also, try maybe wiggling the cable around, maybe feeling along to feel if there's a break.

 

[BigBlue22]

el

thanks for the infomation. I am trying all that I can now!!!

 

[corlon]

sounds like a big size fuse is blown.

 

[ELVATO]

Heh, true. I keep forgetting you guys have all those fuses in the engine bay. Check the power distribution box (by the air box).

I'd check the big fuses (the 50A ones) to make sure they arne't blown. Also (someone else could check this) but I'd think you could make sure you are getting power there by taking a multimeter and touching the fuse 103 (Junction block battery feed, 50A) and ground and seeing if there is 12V. The maxifuses should have the little spot in the back of the fuse where you can stick the multimeter (so you can keep the fuse in the slot.)


It's the little squares on the back of the fuse.

I would think this (or other 50A fuses) should be live all the time, so if there is not voltage then it could probably be the battery cable. Maybe someone else could check to see which fuses are live?

 

[BigBlue22]

I was not able to fix it so I am getting it towed to my parents. I have changed the starter relay(by battery on firewall), Changed the ignition switch, and checked all the fuses. The only big fuse was one i found is under the hood in that long fuse box silver with 30 amp on the top of it. Cant tell if its blown. How do you check all those relays in the fuse boxes inside and under the hood. If anyone has any diagrams please post them. I got the truck with no owners manual. Thank you guys for taking time to help. I will let you all know what the problem ends up being.

 

[ELVATO]

Owner's manual.
http://expeditionforum.com/showthread.php?t=5073

Of interest would probably be page 133 of the manual, where it talks about the fuses in the power distribution box. Seems they call the square fuses maxi fuses?

 

[BigBlue22]

If anyone has any more suggestion feel free. I am going back down to work on it this weekend. It is 12/7/10

 

[BigBlue22]

I got it all worked out. Thank you for all who tried to help me. It ended up being a bad negative terminal and wire. The previous owner had some of those cheap battery terminals which were not making a good connection. I will be running new ground wires and better heavy duty gold terminal and soldering everything.

 

[ELVATO]

Woohooo, I was semi right Glad you got it worked out.

 

[panda24619]

had the SAME problem with mine on friday. went to put the key in everything worked. turned the key and nothing! i was like figures! it ended up my negative terminal was so green that there was no connection. so i cleaned it off and my dad found some dielectric grease that he had. so i gotta put that on this week.