2006 Mercury mountaineer 4.0 no start

[suzook]

My 2006 is dead. All lights and horn working, when I turn key I get a little click. The red battery light comes on, and says check charging system. I was thinking battery, but why won't a jump get it started? Battery is showing almost 12 volts on meter. When key is turned, it drops to 11.5. Thoughts? I'm just leary picking up a battery z since a jump won't get it started.

 

[GeorgeH]

My experience is that it is difficult to jump start an explorer; I'm not sure what it is, but it seems not to get enough current.

If your battery is at an age that is iffy I would try a new one first

 

[suzook]

My experience is that it is difficult to jump start an explorer; I'm not sure what it is, but it seems not to get enough current.

If your battery is at an age that is iffy I would try a new one first

Well it's the starter. I see the wire that goes from the solenoid to
the starter is rotted, and gone.

 

[suzook]

Any tips to get the starter out? Looks fairly straightforward.

 

[Explorer_PL]

it is and it's not.

This is on 4.6 but some things may apply to 4.0

08 Ltd 4.6 needs starter. How to remove top bolt.

 

[suzook]

Replaced it yesterday. Not too bad. Thank God though for my impact wrench for the top bolt. That sucker was frozen. Was able to get my compact Makita in there.