Not turning over with key

[AaronMoss72]

Good Morning!

My expedition was running great until Friday afternoon when i went to start it on my lunch hour it wouldn't turn over. Battery and starter are fine. I am able to start it by jumping the two bolts on the firewall with the solenoid using a pair of pliers. I tested the solenoid and it has power from the ignition best i can tell. Anyone had this issue too?

Thanks!

 

[Clemson82]

Sounds like a short somewhere. Is everything stock? Any after-market add on stuff?

 

[Bedrck47]

Welcome to the forum

Have you tried starting with the gear shift in neutral?

 

[docraymund]

Starter solenoid contacts may be worn or there may be an open in the start circuit.

 

[AaronMoss72]

Sounds like a short somewhere. Is everything stock? Any after-market add on stuff?

Yes everything is stock, thank you!

 

[AaronMoss72]

Welcome to the forum

Have you tried starting with the gear shift in neutral?

Yes, we have tried that too, thank you!

 

[AaronMoss72]

Starter solenoid contacts may be worn or there may be an open in the start circuit.

Thank you I will purchase a new solenoid and see if that helps.

 

[Bedrck47]

You stated " I tested the solenoid and it has power from the ignition best i can tell"

Saying best you can tell sounds like a guess How did you test it and what was the voltage?

 

[AaronMoss72]

You stated " I tested the solenoid and it has power from the ignition best i can tell"

Saying best you can tell sounds like a guess How did you test it and what was the voltage?

I used a simple hand tester to make sure it was getting power to it. I did not test the voltage, I can check that and get back to you. Thank you!

 

[Bedrck47]

Can you read and understand wiring diagrams

 

[AaronMoss72]

Yes, i will download one. Thanks!

 

[Bedrck47]

Copied from the 1997 Ford Factory Service Manual

 

[AaronMoss72]

Copied from the 1997 Ford Factory Service Manual

View attachment 20965

Awesome Bedrck47, thank you very much!

 

[Bedrck47]

You should have 12+ volts at the tan/red wire on the starter motor relay when you turn the key to start

 

[AaronMoss72]

You should have 12+ volts at the tan/red wire on the starter motor relay when you turn the key to start

Thanks again Bedrck47 you have been really helpful! I will let you know what i find out.

 

[terryb99]

Thanks again Bedrck47 you have been really helpful! I will let you know what i find out.

I believe you are over thinking this.

If you jumper the solenoid and it starts and runs, replace the solenoid. It is cheap, easy, and about a 90% chance of fixing the problem.

Terry

 

[Bedrck47]

I believe you are over thinking this.

If you jumper the solenoid and it starts and runs, replace the solenoid. It is cheap, easy, and about a 90% chance of fixing the problem.

Terry

Nothing is being over thought Although I do agree that it MAY be a bad solenoid But I would rather know for sure that the solenoid is getting the correct voltage to energize rather that just replacing the solenoid and then find out It wasn't getting enough voltage to energize.

Had the OP stated that he heard a click when he tried to start that would tell a different story But he didn't state that.

Plus I would rather be 100 % certain rather than "about a 90% chance of fixing the problem" by tossing a part into it. You may be correct but that 10% may bite you in the a$$

Get involved in this forum since this is your first post since you became a member 6 years ago.

 

[rjdelp7]

Check your theft light for rapid blinking, when starting. Try a different key. Don't power lock doors, with key in ignition and driver door open. Try starting, with gear shift in "N".

 

[AaronMoss72]

Hi everyone, sorry it took so long to get back. Updates, cleaned all contacts, not anti-theft, fuse for starter relay keeps blowing. I can start it a couple times then it blows. Guessing something is grounding out... Would the solenoid cause this?

 

[AaronMoss72]

Nothing is being over thought Although I do agree that it MAY be a bad solenoid But I would rather know for sure that the solenoid is getting the correct voltage to energize rather that just replacing the solenoid and then find out It wasn't getting enough voltage to energize.

Had the OP stated that he heard a click when he tried to start that would tell a different story But he didn't state that.

Plus I would rather be 100 % certain rather than "about a 90% chance of fixing the problem" by tossing a part into it. You may be correct but that 10% may bite you in the a$$

Get involved in this forum since this is your first post since you became a member 6 years ago.

Hi everyone, sorry it took so long to get back. Updates, cleaned all contacts, not anti-theft, fuse for starter relay keeps blowing. I can start it a couple times then it blows. Guessing something is grounding out... Would the solenoid cause this?