It worked until it didn't - 2000 Ford Exp EB No Crank

[Daniel A Havens]

I used to have to jump the starter on my '72 VW van, so I'm aware of the method. Had a friend forget the clutch pedal and drive on top of me once, since you had to lay right in front of the rear wheels to get to the starter.

Tested those two points

Red lead on b-terminal, black lead on m-terminal - 12.5v drop when key is turned, so the starter solenoid isn't functioning correctly. Right? Tried to fit a screwdriver in there to jump it, but couldn't quite get the angle right, so I gave up on forcing the jump.

 

[stamp11127]

Wiring diagram for the starter circuit.
Circuit 2037 may be the cable that connects to B on the starter solenoid.
Circuit 1118 may connect to the S terminal. If it does you should see 12v with key in the start position.
If you apply +12v to the S terminal you should hear and feel the drive mechanism work but not turn the starter.

 

[and0r]

given that you "disconnected a bunch of shit"
you should probably check your connectors. they dont necessarily have to be loose to malfunction.

this is something you have to feel for, like in a 6th sense kind of way
dont try and overthink it

 

[Daniel A Havens]

Have not been able to work on it much the last few weeks, and finally got back under it today. I can jump the S terminal to the M terminal and the starter spins up when the key is turned to start, but doesn't engage the engine. Still just a turn and click with no crank at all when the key is turned without jumping the s/m terminals.

Can't seem to jump the S-terminal to engage the solenoid only, so seems like that part is broken too. Only get a reaction when I jump the s/m

All new starter seems to be the cure at this point. Does the ECU turn all the accessory power off when trying to start to push amps to the starter? Is that why everything turns off?

 

[stamp11127]

The "S" terminal powers the two coils inside the solenoid. When you jump S to M you are supplying power to the starter and overloading the wiring for the S circuit. Lucky for you the starter is only freewheeling and not under a load.

Disconnect the wiring to the S terminal. Check for power between the wire that connects to the S terminal and ground when you turn the key to start. Post the voltage.

If you have a remote starter test switch, connect it to the top + stud (Battery B) on the starter relay and the other to the little stud for the S terminal. When you press the remote start test switch the engine should crank if there isn't a problem with the solenoid.

 

[Daniel A Havens]

Finally got a window of time to finish up this headache. So previously I had tracked down the problem to the starter/starter solenoid. I fought with replacing the starter vs. replacing or repairing the solenoid, which wasn't engaging the starter gear. Finally just dug around enough to get that top bolt off the starter, replaced it, and now the EXP starts right up. So I may have been able to save a hundred dollars if I repaired the solenoid, but the whole starter was original, so replacing it was easiest and fastest.