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Starter installation issue

Tiny
MJSARGENT
  • MEMBER
  • 2004 FORD EXPLORER
  • 4.0L
  • 6 CYL
  • 4WD
  • AUTOMATIC
  • 220,000 MILES
I recently bought a new starter. I removed my old starter and noticed that my new starter comes with a lead attached that my old starter does not have. What do I do with that new wire coming from the new starter?
Friday, June 26th, 2020 AT 2:21 PM

15 Replies

Tiny
DANNY L
  • MECHANIC
  • 5,648 POSTS
Hello, I'm Danny.

I've attached a picture below of what your wires should like like on your truck.The thick red power cable and a smaller yellow/light blue wire.If you can can you takes pictures of the starters and upload them here? Also, Here is a tutorial to view on starter replacement if it helps:

https://www.2carpros.com/articles/how-to-replace-a-starter-motor

Hope this helps and thanks for using 2CarPros.
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Friday, June 26th, 2020 AT 3:47 PM
Tiny
MJSARGENT
  • MEMBER
  • 2 POSTS
This is the starter I bought. I had to turn in the other one for a core fee. But the extra wire on this starter I do not need because it was not on the one I removed. I bought a starter off Amazon but it didn't work either and it had the same cord on it.
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Saturday, June 27th, 2020 AT 9:51 AM
Tiny
KEN L
  • MASTER CERTIFIED MECHANIC
  • 47,690 POSTS
Just remove the extra wire, it is not for you application. It looks like a good quality rebuild though, nice work. Please let us know if you need anything else to get the problem fixed.
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Monday, June 29th, 2020 AT 10:45 AM
Tiny
KIKOSD3
  • MEMBER
  • 1 POST
  • 2003 FORD EXPLORER
  • 6 CYL
  • 2WD
  • MANUAL
  • 128,000 MILES
My car makes a grinding noise when I try and start it. Think its the starter and want to take it in and replace it. How do I remove the starter for a 2003 ford explorer sport 2 door?
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Monday, June 29th, 2020 AT 10:46 AM (Merged)
Tiny
BMRFIXIT
  • MECHANIC
  • 19,053 POSTS
Disconnect negative battery cable.
Raise and support vehicle.
Remove starter motor solenoid terminal cover.
Disconnect starter solenoid wire connections.
Remove the nut and the starter ground cable.
Remove starter motor bolts and starter.


https://www.2carpros.com/forum/automotive_pictures/99387_Graphic1_282.jpg



https://www.2carpros.com/forum/automotive_pictures/99387_Graphic2_128.jpg

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Monday, June 29th, 2020 AT 10:46 AM (Merged)
Tiny
DEWEY ASHWORTH
  • MEMBER
  • 2 POSTS
  • 2002 FORD EXPLORER
  • 6 CYL
My starter still engages when I start my engine till I put it in gear then it stops and the radio dont work, I have changed the starter and the switch to no avail.
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Monday, June 29th, 2020 AT 10:46 AM (Merged)
Tiny
RASMATAZ
  • MECHANIC
  • 75,992 POSTS
--Check the starter relay could be sticking or just replace it--it'll cause your problem
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Monday, June 29th, 2020 AT 10:46 AM (Merged)
Tiny
DEWEY ASHWORTH
  • MEMBER
  • 2 POSTS
Thanks, where is it located please?
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Monday, June 29th, 2020 AT 10:46 AM (Merged)
Tiny
CJ MEDEVAC
  • MECHANIC
  • 11,004 POSTS
FOLLOW YOUR POSITIVE BATTERY CABLE FROM THE BATTERY, IT WILL COME TO (USUALLY) A PLASTIC THINGEE, WITH TREADED STUDS.

THE PLASTIC THINGEE WILL HAVE ANOTHER CABLE THAT GOES TO THE STARTER

SMALLER WIRE(S) WILL ALSO BE ON IT

THE PLASTIC THINGEE IS YOU!

HOOK IT BACK UP LIKE YOU TOOK IT OFF

IT WILL COST LESS THAN $25 AT POPULAR PARTS STORES

IT IS ALSO CALLED A SOLENOID

THERE ARE SEVERAL STYLES OF 'EM....THIS "MAY" BE THE ONE YOU HAVE, ALL DO THE SAME JOB.......FOLLOW THE POSITIVE CABLE!

http://www.autozone.com/autozone/accessories/Wells-Manufacturing-12-Volts-continuous-duty-solenoid-with-four-terminals-flat-bracket-and-insulated-base/_/N-269g?counter=9&filterByKeyWord=SOLENOID&fromString=search&itemIdentifier=82182_0_0_

LET US KNOW IF THAT WAS YOUR PROBLEM!

THE MEDIC

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Monday, June 29th, 2020 AT 10:46 AM (Merged)
Tiny
MIGHTYGUINN5
  • MEMBER
  • 2 POSTS
  • 2002 FORD EXPLORER
  • 6 CYL
  • 4WD
  • AUTOMATIC
  • 90,000 MILES
I removed the old starter, and I'm ready to install the new one, but I cannot find where the small third wire (ignition wire, I think it's called?) Went to. I would assume it should be bundled with the other 2, but there's nothing there. I've spent the last 3 hours looking, and I cannot locate any loose wires. Any ideas where I should look?
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Monday, June 29th, 2020 AT 10:46 AM (Merged)
Tiny
KHLOW2008
  • MECHANIC
  • 41,814 POSTS
Hi mightyguinn5,

Thank you for the donation.

The wiring diagram shows only 2 wires, Red which is battery cable, terminal "B". Yellow/Light Blue is for the starter solenoid, Terminal "S".

What is the color of the 3rd wire that you are refering to?


https://www.2carpros.com/forum/automotive_pictures/192750_Starter02ExplorerFig01_1.jpg



If it uis used for tapping power source, it would be attached together with the Red wire.
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Monday, June 29th, 2020 AT 10:46 AM (Merged)
Tiny
MIGHTYGUINN5
  • MEMBER
  • 2 POSTS
Thank you for your research. I have located the 2 wires that will attach to terminals B and M per your diagram. I cannot locate the wire that will need to reconnect to terminal S. Any ideas?
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Monday, June 29th, 2020 AT 10:46 AM (Merged)
Tiny
KHLOW2008
  • MECHANIC
  • 41,814 POSTS
There should be no additional wires attached to Terminal M. Any additional wire should be attached to Terminal B.

Is the harness stock or do you have any additional starter solenoid wire?
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Monday, June 29th, 2020 AT 10:46 AM (Merged)
Tiny
MILDRED2312
  • MEMBER
  • 1 POST
  • 2000 FORD EXPLORER
  • 57,100 MILES
The starter was changed today. A few minutes after I took it out of the mechanic's shop I noticed that the car (SUV) is making noises (like low explosions or bubbles) when I turn the wheels to park it or at a curve. I called my brother (who is not a mechanic, but know more than I do about cars) and he told me that may be the timing belt was moved when the starter was changed. He also mentioned the ignition, but I do not know anything about cars. I called the mechanic and he said he drove the car arounbd the block and it was fine, but to take it back to his shop tomorrow. I would like to have an idea of what is wrong with the car. It was towed to the mechanic this morning because it did not start, but everythinbg else was fine. Please let me know what could be the problem. In addition to the noises, I noticed the car a little slow and the radio will not turn on either. Is that all related?
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Monday, June 29th, 2020 AT 10:46 AM (Merged)
Tiny
RIVERMIKERAT
  • MECHANIC
  • 6,110 POSTS
The radio could be either a fuse or a loose connection.

The noise during cornering could be air in the power steering system.

Unless the mechanic fiddled with stuff he shouldn't have during the starter change, it should not be able to cause any of the problems you mentioned. The one exception is if he installed the starter incorrectly and it isn't properly aligned, the flexplate and starter gears could be hitting each other.
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Monday, June 29th, 2020 AT 10:46 AM (Merged)

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