Engine is not cranking over - starter not working for me?

Tiny
BILLY KAME
  • MEMBER
  • 2 POSTS
  • 2004 FORD EXPLORER
  • 4.0L
  • V6
  • 4WD
  • AUTOMATIC
  • 200,000 MILES
It was running beautiful. I stopped for gas and it wont do anything now. I've check starter even hand fed it fuel and cranked it through bypassing the starter relay and it will run. Is there any way to bypass transponder or security stuff all together? I have an 2005 F150 also and it has been bypassed somehow. I don't know how they did it but it runs fine.
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Thursday, December 31st, 2020 AT 8:37 AM (Merged)
Tiny
KASEKENNY
  • MECHANIC
  • 18,907 POSTS
Unfortunately there are no ways to bypass this system. It was designed to disable the vehicle if tampered with so that it can't be stolen.

I attached the info about it but I would suggest we start with getting codes and that should tell us where the issue is.
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Thursday, December 31st, 2020 AT 8:37 AM (Merged)
Tiny
HUM MOVES
  • MEMBER
  • 3 POSTS
  • 2004 FORD EXPLORER
  • 6 CYL
  • 4WD
  • AUTOMATIC
  • 103,000 MILES
Hey, so I drove my car last night came home from work everything seemed to be fine. Well, I do have a transmission seal leak so the car flashes in and out of O/D mode and jumps until I turn it on and off again, but that I know. So I wake up in the morning to go to work again and my car won’t turn on the battery level was low but all the lights still came on. So I tried jumping the car and the battery level went up but the car doesn’t switch over at all. Just one click but that’s. It I looked under my hood I saw that there was a little antifreeze leak coming out one of the hoses. I tightened the hose up because the hose is brand new, fuel pump brand new, and water pump, plus all the hoses were changed a couple months ago, so someone probably didn’t tighten them right? I’m not a car expert, I change my brakes have changed a hose before but will need a mechanic anyways as I digress, I was wondering what could be wrong with the car if I don’t hear any anything but one little click and the car itself won’t turn at all when I turn the key what could it be? And now after a few minutes the battery level went low again and I don’t want to buy a battery for no reason. So is it the battery or is it something else since there’s no clicking noise really just the one click and it didn’t turn on at all when I was jumping the car and the battery was on middle level when I charged it. So basically back to normal. It’s fairly cold now in New York it wasn’t just a day ago could the weather have done that or maybe the leak got to something and shorted it or is the starter or ignition switch or could it be from the battery itself? But wouldn’t it turn on when I was charging it with another car? I checked all the fuses too. Suffice to say I missed work today.
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Thursday, December 31st, 2020 AT 8:37 AM (Merged)
Tiny
BMDOUBLE
  • MECHANIC
  • 1,139 POSTS
It sounds like a bad connection either at the battery itself or at the starter, and in many cases the ground mounted on the front driver side of the engine block. You can follow the ground wire from the battery cable negative to the ground which is mounted onto a stud on the front of the engine block, just verify that the nut and stud is tight, I've found several loose ones because it's a bad design for a ground mounting point and leads to a loose connection due to the normal movement of the battery cable. I have attached the best picture that I could find and illustrated it to help you find it.
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Thursday, December 31st, 2020 AT 8:37 AM (Merged)
Tiny
HUM MOVES
  • MEMBER
  • 3 POSTS
Not sure. I can’t find it the transmission fluid needs to be changed and checked from underneath so I feel like the car is a puzzle and I’m only good at changing brakes. Here’s some pictures but again I just bought a battery put it in and it doesn’t even click over at all.
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Thursday, December 31st, 2020 AT 8:37 AM (Merged)
Tiny
HUM MOVES
  • MEMBER
  • 3 POSTS
Some pictures. I’m hoping it’s not the starter and was wondering if I go to fuse box and check ignition relay or starter relay see if I feel a click or not ignition that will work?
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Thursday, December 31st, 2020 AT 8:37 AM (Merged)
Tiny
BMDOUBLE
  • MECHANIC
  • 1,139 POSTS
You will need to slide under the front of the truck and look up above the crank pulley and against the engine block. It's going to come down to checking voltage at the starter itself and voltage drop tests for the power and ground cables. Do you have a volt meter and have you done these tests before?
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Thursday, December 31st, 2020 AT 8:37 AM (Merged)
Tiny
CORMAREE04
  • MEMBER
  • 1 POST
  • 2004 FORD EXPLORER
  • 6 CYL
  • 2WD
  • AUTOMATIC
  • 62,585 MILES
When I came out this morning to leave for work my car would not start. The first couple of times I tried to crank it it just made a clicking noise now it isn't doing anything. All my lights and gauges are working along with my horn and radio, I replaced the battery and had the starter tested they are both okay, so I don't know what else it could be. Can you guys help me out.
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Thursday, December 31st, 2020 AT 8:38 AM (Merged)
Tiny
TTRAN
  • MEMBER
  • 45 POSTS
Your explorer may have a bad starter. If you have a volt meter, have someone to tap the lead of the meter to the positive side of the starter and the other to the ground, or the engine body. Ask someone to start the ignition switch and observe the voltage display on the volt meter. If you see it shows between 10 and 12v, you definitely have a bad starter. The solenoid on your starter may be bad. Replace explorer starter is not a big deal.
Good luck,
Tony
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Thursday, December 31st, 2020 AT 8:38 AM (Merged)
Tiny
SHORTIE08
  • MEMBER
  • 1 POST
  • 2004 FORD EXPLORER
Hi I need to know what is wrong with my truck, About 2 weeks ago happened the same thing it would not turn on and we but antyfreeze in it a worked but if you leave the door opened foa bout 3 minutes the battery will die. Then it worked fine for about 2 weeks and this morning it didnt turned on again. PLease help me,

Also if I turned the heater all the way to the red part it starts making a weird noise like if something is hitting something, but if its not all the way to the bottom of the red part it works fine. Can this be the problem to my truck not turning on?

I took the truck to get the battery and alternator checked but they are both fine so I have no idea whats happening.
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Thursday, December 31st, 2020 AT 8:38 AM (Merged)
Tiny
JACOBANDNICKOLAS
  • MECHANIC
  • 109,896 POSTS
The heater noise sounds like there is something in the heater box. Have you checked for leaves, debris...?

As far as the battery, do a draw test on the system. If there is a draw, remove one fuse at a time until the draw stops so we know what circuit is causing the problem. Also, before anything, make sure the battery terminals are clean and tught.

Here is a how to for checking for a draw.

https://www.2carpros.com/first_things/why_is_my_car_battery_dead_over_night.htm
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Thursday, December 31st, 2020 AT 8:38 AM (Merged)
Tiny
MICHAEL OTOOLE
  • MEMBER
  • 2 POSTS
  • 2004 FORD EXPLORER
  • 4.0L
  • 6 CYL
  • 4WD
  • AUTOMATIC
  • 126,000 MILES
When I give the battery a jump car starts up. When I turn the car off and try to start it again it wont start. So is it the battery or alternator?
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Thursday, December 31st, 2020 AT 8:38 AM (Merged)
Tiny
RENEE L
  • ADMIN
  • 1,260 POSTS
Hi MICHAEL,

If you decide to conduct the testing yourself here are a couple of links to helpful information from this site with written instructions, pictures and a video explaining how to load test your battery yourself and the other how to check your alternator yourself.

If you need further assistance please come back to 2CarPros.com. We are always happy to help.

https://www.2carpros.com/articles/how-to-check-a-car-battery

https://www.2carpros.com/articles/how-to-check-a-car-alternator

Thank you for visiting 2CarPros.

Kindest regards,

Renee
Admin

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Thursday, December 31st, 2020 AT 8:38 AM (Merged)
Tiny
MICHAEL OTOOLE
  • MEMBER
  • 2 POSTS
Ok thank you very much.
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Thursday, December 31st, 2020 AT 8:39 AM (Merged)
Tiny
KEN L
  • MASTER CERTIFIED MECHANIC
  • 48,412 POSTS
Please let us know what you find so it will help others.

Best, Ken
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Thursday, December 31st, 2020 AT 8:39 AM (Merged)
Tiny
BLACKISTON
  • MEMBER
  • 1 POST
  • 2004 FORD EXPLORER
  • 4 CYL
  • 2WD
  • AUTOMATIC
  • 68,000 MILES
We just recently got into an accident where someone backed into our passenger side. We got the vehicle back 6 days ago and 2 days ago the service engine light soon came on and now it won't start. The battery's charge is fine but the engine is not even trying to turn over. What could this be caused by and could it have anything to do with the accident?
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Thursday, December 31st, 2020 AT 8:39 AM (Merged)
Tiny
JACOBANDNICKOLAS
  • MECHANIC
  • 109,896 POSTS
Hi:
First, if you are sure the battery is good, make sure the ground to the engine block and the battery terminals are clean and tight. IF they are, have a helper turn the key to the start position while you check for power to the small wire on the starter. If you have power, the starter is most likely bad.

If you know of anyone with a scanner, the computer will have a code set in it identifying where the problem is coming from. But if the starter isn't working, that is where I would start.

Joe
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Thursday, December 31st, 2020 AT 8:39 AM (Merged)
Tiny
JAMESFITZ23
  • MEMBER
  • 1 POST
  • 2004 FORD EXPLORER
  • 2.1L
  • 6 CYL
  • 2WD
  • AUTOMATIC
  • 100 MILES
I was told it was the starter, replaced the starter and battery and ignition fuse, starter fuse. It just clicks, lights work, headlights etc. It does not sound like it needs a jump, it clicks. Been told the key and computer has to be reprogram. I put already $500.00 now this mechanic wants $400.00. I am broke. What to do?
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Thursday, December 31st, 2020 AT 8:39 AM (Merged)
Tiny
STEVE W.
  • MECHANIC
  • 13,594 POSTS
If it clicks when you turn the key but the lights work, you have a voltage problem. Check the battery cables at both ends for corrosion at the connections and make sure they are not corroded internally. As a test you could take a jumper cable and connect it between the positive terminal on the starter and the positive terminal on the battery. That would bypass the positive cable, Do the same on the negative side but connect the engine end to a clean spot on the block. See if it turns over and starts now. If it does it's a bad cable.
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Thursday, December 31st, 2020 AT 8:39 AM (Merged)
Tiny
JENNILYNNE29
  • MEMBER
  • 1 POST
  • 2004 FORD EXPLORER
  • 4.0L
  • 6 CYL
  • 4WD
  • AUTOMATIC
  • 170,000 MILES
My truck started on Sunday and now it's Thursday and it wont start. I turn the key my windows and lights work. We pulled the starter it was shot after 2 months.I got a replacement under the warranty and this start wont worker. So we bought a whole new one, what could be causing the starters to go bad? I checked the fuses nothing was blown. I have had this truck for 2 months.
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Thursday, December 31st, 2020 AT 8:39 AM (Merged)

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