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Why is the starter not working?

Tiny
WPAXTON
  • MEMBER
  • 2003 FORD EXPEDITION
  • 5.4L
  • V8
  • TURBO
  • 4WD
  • AUTOMATIC
  • 173,000 MILES
Have changed starter checked battery and alternator still does not want to turn over. It runs for a couple days then will not start. Lights and everything else comes on with key. Could it be the ignition switch?
Thursday, September 25th, 2014 AT 2:13 PM

21 Replies

Tiny
JACOBANDNICKOLAS
  • MECHANIC
  • 109,885 POSTS
Hello,

This sounds like you have a starter relay that is not working. Here is a guide and the location for the relay:

https://www.2carpros.com/articles/how-to-check-an-electrical-relay-and-wiring-control-circuit

Is the security light flashing?

Check out the diagrams (below). Please let us know what happens.

Cheers
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Thursday, September 25th, 2014 AT 6:27 PM
Tiny
WPAXTON
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Some days it makes a starting sound then some days no sound just a buzzing sound. Needles on gauges all move over like the battery is dead.
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Friday, September 26th, 2014 AT 2:09 PM
Tiny
JACOBANDNICKOLAS
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It almost sounds like there is a total power loss. Have you checked to make sure the battery terminals are clean and tight? Have you checked to make sure the main ground from the battery to the engine block is clean and tight?
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Friday, September 26th, 2014 AT 8:05 PM
Tiny
WPAXTON
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We have checked all battery cables all are okay. Could it be a main fuse somewhere? Also, can service department check diagnosis with it not running? We give up, do not know what else to do. Our family mechanic has checked everything could the ground be bad or can we hook it to something else to check it. Thanks
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Sunday, September 28th, 2014 AT 12:05 PM
Tiny
JACOBANDNICKOLAS
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The only thing I can suggest is to do this.

Get a helper and have that person turn the key to the start position while you check for voltage to the smaller wire on the starter. There should be 12 volts in the start position. If there is, the starter is bad.

Let me know what you find.
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Sunday, September 28th, 2014 AT 7:17 PM
Tiny
JACOBANDNICKOLAS
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I just reread one of the posts you sent to me. If all the gauges show act as if the battery is dead at times, I really feel there is a bad connection at some point. I have had vehicles that when the key was turned to the start position, everything would shut down. A few minutes later, the car would regain power and then start. Always, it was a bad connection at the battery or a weak ground.
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Sunday, September 28th, 2014 AT 7:19 PM
Tiny
WPAXTON
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  • 5 POSTS
Thank you for your help we tried the fuses today the car made a buzzing sound under the dash we wiggled fuses and it started there was a relay switch fuse there that was bad we bought new one and it started but engine light came back on so we are taking it to get it checked.
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Monday, September 29th, 2014 AT 3:02 PM
Tiny
JACOBANDNICKOLAS
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Let me know what you find.
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Monday, September 29th, 2014 AT 7:40 PM
Tiny
WPAXTON
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  • 5 POSTS
On the expedition the diagnostic test came up with the main fuse box system under dash went out causing the car to loose power and trip relay switches. I have to buy a new main fuse box for three hundred forty dollars.
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Wednesday, October 1st, 2014 AT 1:33 PM
Tiny
JACOBANDNICKOLAS
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That would do it, but really is not a common problem.
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Wednesday, October 1st, 2014 AT 6:10 PM
Tiny
CBOUTTE
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  • 2 POSTS
  • 2003 FORD EXPEDITION
  • 4 CYL
  • 4WD
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My SUV will not start. It will not turn over. It acts like I do not have a battery in it.
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Friday, August 31st, 2018 AT 2:52 PM (Merged)
Tiny
RASMATAZ
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Could be a blown fusible link, the starter, starter relay, transmission position switch and ignition switch. Assuming the battery and connections are good.
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Friday, August 31st, 2018 AT 2:52 PM (Merged)
Tiny
CBOUTTE
  • MEMBER
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Could it be the starter switch if my radio does not comes on?
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Friday, August 31st, 2018 AT 2:52 PM (Merged)
Tiny
RASMATAZ
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Start by testing the ignition switch and do the rest.
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Friday, August 31st, 2018 AT 2:52 PM (Merged)
Tiny
LITTLE LADY
  • MEMBER
  • 1 POST
  • 2003 FORD EXPEDITION
  • 0.6L
  • 6 CYL
  • 2WD
  • AUTOMATIC
  • 188,834 MILES
When I turn the key it does not crank, click in fuse when turning the key.
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Friday, August 31st, 2018 AT 2:52 PM (Merged)
Tiny
SATURNTECH9
  • MECHANIC
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Have you had the battery tested yet?
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Friday, August 31st, 2018 AT 2:52 PM (Merged)
Tiny
MOMMAPUERCO
  • MEMBER
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  • 2003 FORD EXPEDITION
  • V8
  • 4WD
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My car will not turn over all the time. Sometimes it works sometimes it does not. When it does not turn over it takes about the third time or so for it to work. All the lights and radio work just fine. Just put a new battery in. Had the starter checked. It works fine. I have been told that maybe it is the alarm. If you think it is the alarm? Could I just have it bypassed and fix the problem? Also, the light on the car that blinks when the alarm is on, always seems to be blinking when it is on. I have not ever noticed it blinking when driving before. Thank you. :)
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Friday, August 31st, 2018 AT 2:52 PM (Merged)
Tiny
JACOBANDNICKOLAS
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If the light continues to flash, it will not start because the security system has it shut down. I hate to say it but you need to take it to a dealer for this problem. They are the only ones that have the proper test equipment to check the system and diagnose the problem.
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Friday, August 31st, 2018 AT 2:52 PM (Merged)
Tiny
KHLOW2008
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Gas smell means the problem could be ignition related whereby ignition sparks are not available. For intermittent problems, it is never easy to detect especially when no trouble codes are present and by the time you are about to test for problems, the engine would start normally.

If you can crank the engine, it definitely is not the starter. Fuel pump can fail intermittently and tests might be inconclusive.
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Friday, August 31st, 2018 AT 2:52 PM (Merged)
Tiny
VVAUGHN
  • MEMBER
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  • 2003 FORD EXPEDITION
  • V8
  • FWD
  • AUTOMATIC
  • 185,000 MILES
Vehicle will turn over but gives a buzzing noise and it won't start. The noise sounds as if its coming from under the dashboard of the passenger side. Can you tell me what is causing this?
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Friday, August 31st, 2018 AT 2:52 PM (Merged)

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