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No crank, no starter action, fuel pump does engage. I hear it?

Tiny
DKLINE1953
  • MEMBER
  • 2005 FORD EXPLORER
  • 4.0L
  • V6
  • 4WD
  • AUTOMATIC
  • 120,000 MILES
The vehicle listed has a 4.0 SOHC. I started the car and pulled out the fuel pump fuse. Car shut off instantly(?) Replaced fuse (it was good), and a no crank situation. Thought I might have activated the anti-theft system, so disconnected negative battery terminal, and pulled PCM relay. Put jumper wire on neg battery connection lead, and positive terminal to drain capacitors. Put relay in connected battery (took off jumper wire) and still no crank.
My original project was to replace fuel injectors, hence pulling fuel pump fuse to relieve pressure.
The check gauges light is on as is service engine light. I looked for codes and there are none. Mileage shows 121345 not, so I believe PCM and engine are talking to each other. I'm stumped.
Thanks for any assistance.
Dave
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Tuesday, August 15th, 2023 AT 4:59 PM

20 Replies

Tiny
JACOBANDNICKOLAS
  • MECHANIC
  • 109,747 POSTS
Hi Dave,

When you say no crank, do you mean the starter motor won't engage or it does, but the engine doesn't start?

If you haven't already, confirm the fuse (fuse 26) is getting power. Also, I attached the starting circuit schematic below, so you have a reference. Check the fuses 12 and 23 in the under-hood fuse box along with the starter relay. Also, check fuse 29 in the central junction box. Again, confirm they have power to and from them.

Here is a link you may find helpful:

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

Let me know what you find.

Joe

See pics below.

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Tuesday, August 15th, 2023 AT 10:12 PM
Tiny
DKLINE1953
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  • 14 POSTS
No crank, no starter action, fuel pump does engage. I hear it.
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Tuesday, August 15th, 2023 AT 10:24 PM
Tiny
JACOBANDNICKOLAS
  • MECHANIC
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Okay, if the starter won't engage, check the things I mentioned above. See if the fuses and relay are good and not bad.

I'm not sure how removing the fuse caused a problem, but anything is possible.

Let me know.

Joe
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Wednesday, August 16th, 2023 AT 9:41 AM
Tiny
DKLINE1953
  • MEMBER
  • 14 POSTS
Joe,

Power at 26. Fuel rail putting out gas and hum. Power at 12 and 23. Both +, and - test. Power at 29. Relay (starter #56) tests out ok. Did continuity and powered it, and had continuity, heard it click.
What’s next on the list?
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Wednesday, August 16th, 2023 AT 10:19 AM
Tiny
DKLINE1953
  • MEMBER
  • 14 POSTS
See above
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Wednesday, August 16th, 2023 AT 10:45 AM
Tiny
JACOBANDNICKOLAS
  • MECHANIC
  • 109,747 POSTS
Hi,

Are you getting a ground path via pin 86?

Joe
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Wednesday, August 16th, 2023 AT 6:47 PM
Tiny
DKLINE1953
  • MEMBER
  • 14 POSTS
Joe, put clamp on + and probe tip on 86 slot and there was light. My starter is spinning no but doesn’t crank engine. I just finished putting fuel injectors in (was getting codes for misfire on 2&6. Coil pack replaced but code still there, so replace injectors. Haven’t got car started yet so don’t know that status yet), and when I turned key to start position starter whirled. Pinion gear stuck? As earlier fuel pump buzzed also.
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Thursday, August 17th, 2023 AT 1:22 PM
Tiny
DKLINE1953
  • MEMBER
  • 14 POSTS
Here is avideo of noise.
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Thursday, August 17th, 2023 AT 1:26 PM
Tiny
DKLINE1953
  • MEMBER
  • 14 POSTS
No codes on reader. Pic of dash lights.
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Thursday, August 17th, 2023 AT 2:23 PM
Tiny
JACOBANDNICKOLAS
  • MECHANIC
  • 109,747 POSTS
Hi,

I listened to the video. Does the serpentine belt turn when the starter engages? I ask because either the starter is bad or there is no compression.

Let me know.

Joe
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Thursday, August 17th, 2023 AT 7:01 PM
Tiny
DKLINE1953
  • MEMBER
  • 14 POSTS
Joe,

Serpentine belt does not move.

Dave
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Thursday, August 17th, 2023 AT 8:13 PM
Tiny
DKLINE1953
  • MEMBER
  • 14 POSTS
Joe, pulled starter had it benched tested. Passed!
I tried turning crank manually to inspect teeth on fly wheel. It was hard at first then eased up a little and it rotated. No it is hard to move. Can you do it with serpentine belt off? I'm afraid something internally might have caused a lock up. The car did shut down immediately when I pulled fuel pump fuse, maybe (?) Something went at that time too? A big coincidence though.
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Friday, August 18th, 2023 AT 3:15 PM
Tiny
DKLINE1953
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  • 14 POSTS
Now the crank turns hard. (Going clockwise).
Can you do it with serpentine belt off?
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Friday, August 18th, 2023 AT 3:17 PM
Tiny
JACOBANDNICKOLAS
  • MECHANIC
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Hi,

Yes, the crankshaft pulley can be turned with the belt off. It won't hurt anything.

Remove the spark plugs and see if you can turn the engine easily. Also, check to see if they are wet or if fuel comes from any of the cylinders when you turn the engine. It should be hard to turn with the plugs in, but maybe fuel filled one of the cylinders causing it to lock. You mentioned you planned to replace the injectors. I'm not sure if they were leaking or not.

Nothing is making sense. We are missing something simple. I know it. LOL

I listened to the video of it cranking again. When a starter doesn't engage with the flex plate, they spin a lot faster. In your video, it sounds like it is turning an engine with no compression. I'm going to ask the site owner his opinion. Let's see what he says.

Take care and let me know about removing the plugs.

Joe
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Friday, August 18th, 2023 AT 10:05 PM
Tiny
DKLINE1953
  • MEMBER
  • 14 POSTS
Joe, plugs/serpentine belt are on the list. I saw a video of a guy with 4.0 Explorer with the same problem. He poured clean motor oil in cylinders and let it sit for 24 hours. Low and behold the crank freed up. Maybe a last resort option. In that scenario would a penetrating oil do as well? Just asking. Not doing.
Hope the site owner had his Wheaties and pops out the piece we're missing.

Have a good weekend.

Dave

Thanks again.
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Saturday, August 19th, 2023 AT 3:01 AM
Tiny
KEN L
  • MASTER CERTIFIED MECHANIC
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It sounds like the flex plate has broken.
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Saturday, August 19th, 2023 AT 9:56 AM
Tiny
DKLINE1953
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  • 14 POSTS
What about Bendix gear being worn down? The motor was tested out as a pass, but I didn’t really check the gear in detail. The. Teeth on flex plate we’re looking solid. The Bendix might pop up and retreat and not engage. Bounce off flex plate (lubrication/ cleaning). Bottom line I don’t feel like moving exhaust and sliding the transmission back to get to flex plate on a car I had since 12/17 and only dropped around 300-3500 for. It owes me nothing. Started at 89000 and lasted till 121000. I'll pop off starter again and take a look. That area is the problem, I think. Dave
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Sunday, August 20th, 2023 AT 8:35 AM
Tiny
DKLINE1953
  • MEMBER
  • 14 POSTS
Well end of this episode. The engine is frozen. I cranked and cranked on crankshaft bolt, and it will not rotate the harmonic balancer pulley. Who’s knows what went inside. More work than I want for this car. Off to the auto salvage yard this week. The bad part is new tie rods, stabilizer links, upper ball joints, plugs, and wires plus the coil, fuel injectors and intake gaskets, all done last week. And now it’s done! Murphy’s law to the MAX.
Thanks for your insight through this futile endeavor. Cheers, Dave
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Sunday, August 20th, 2023 AT 11:25 AM
Tiny
JACOBANDNICKOLAS
  • MECHANIC
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Hi,

Wow, that is horrible. I can only imagine how much you have in the parts.

Just for curiosity, did you check what Ken mentioned? If it is broken, it could be jamming and preventing you from turning the engine. I just don't understand how removing the fuse would have led to this.

Let me know.

Joe
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Sunday, August 20th, 2023 AT 7:28 PM
Tiny
DKLINE1953
  • MEMBER
  • 14 POSTS
Joe, Murphy's Law. I find it amazing that at that particular moment I pulled the fuse that the flex plate would go. I'm not going to stick any more time in on the car.
The parking brake locked on me now and it won't move to be hauled off. Go after those tomorrow, and one last Crack at turning the crank.
Since it's broken, I may do a quick drop in reverse when I get it to do a slow roll, see if that jars anything. At this point it won't hurt.
Appreciate your assistance
Dave
I'll let you know if the sun comes up in the West, and this last-ditch effort works.
High hoe it's off to the junk yard it goes.
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Sunday, August 20th, 2023 AT 9:01 PM

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