2003 Ford Explorer breakdown and start-up issues

CMRBUZZ

MEMBER
2003 FORD EXPLORER
6 CYL
2WD
AUTOMATIC
97,000 MILES

I was driving my 2003 ford explorer this past weekend and my car just died out on me at a stoplight. The "check engine" light came on and my power brakes and power steering went out and I was forced to get a tow truck to tow it back to my house. I tried starting it in neutral and in park but it won't start and it just sounds like a power drill when I try to start it. Can anybody please tell me what is wrong? I'm just a college student so I can't really afford to bring it in and pay the $100 diagnostic fee to have them tell me what's wrong so any help is greatly appreciated.
Thank You!

3 Replies

JACOBANDNICKOLAS

MECHANIC
109,689 POSTS

It could be a couple things. I need you to check something for me. You mentioned that it sounds like a power dril when you try to start it. To me, that sounds like a starter problem, but that wouldn't have caused it to shut down. Try this. Open the hood and have a helper turn the key to the start position to engage the starter. I need to know if the belt is turning on the front of the engine. If it is, then I think you jumped time.

Let me know what you find.

Joe

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Thursday, June 3rd, 2010 AT 10:58 PM

CMRBUZZ

MEMBER
2 POSTS

I tried starting the car and the belt on the front of the engine was moving. Does that mean, with certainty, it is a timing issue? I've also had people say it could be an alternator problem, is there any way to test this? Thanks, Cody

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Friday, June 4th, 2010 AT 12:38 PM

JACOBANDNICKOLAS

MECHANIC
109,689 POSTS

Cody, I think you jumped timing. I need you to check engine compression. If it sounds like a drill when you turn the key and the engine is turning, there can't be any compression. That is why I had you confirm that the belt was turning. That way I knew the starter was engaging with the engine.

As far as an alt, that has nothing to do with this.

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Friday, June 4th, 2010 AT 1:41 PM