02 Explorer XLT trouble shifting into gear now won’t start at all

[bmac88]

Forgive me, not familiar with car terminology. For about a week now, my explorer has been having issues shifting into gear (out of park into drive etc). I found the button under the shifter that manually releases it into gear which I’ve had to use. Today, after grocery shopping, my car would not start. It sounds like it’s going to start but never does. Ran a diagnostic check but it’s not throwing a code. Please help!

 

[410Fortune]

Sounds like it’s going to start hut never does

Meaning the starter is cranking and cranking but the engine never fires?

Does the theft light go off while cranking?
Try starting it in neutral instead of park

 

[bmac88]

Sounds like it’s going to start hut never does

Meaning the starter is cranking and cranking but the engine never fires?

Does the theft light go off while cranking?
Try starting it in neutral instead of park

Correct, the starter cranks but engines never fires. I didn’t pay attention to the theft light but I will check when I get home. What would it mean if the car started while in neutral just for my understanding? I will try that as well, thank you!!

 

[410Fortune]

Well the starter is cranking so that rules out the neutral safety / parking safety switch

Watch the theft light it should go out while cranking, if it does not you have a pats security issue

If the theft light does go out then you need the 50/50 test. The fifty fifty is using starting fluid through the intake… then crank the starter. If it fires for a second you have a fuel issue and can rule out the ignition or theft security

 

[bmac88]

Well the starter is cranking so that rules out the neutral safety / parking safety switch

Watch the theft light it should go out while cranking, if it does not you have a pats security issue

If the theft light does go out then you need the 50/50 test. The fifty fifty is using starting fluid through the intake… then crank the starter. If it fires for a second you have a fuel issue and can rule out the ignition or theft security

Well the starter is cranking so that rules out the neutral safety / parking safety switch

Watch the theft light it should go out while cranking, if it does not you have a pats security issue

If the theft light does go out then you need the 50/50 test. The fifty fifty is using starting fluid through the intake… then crank the starter. If it fires for a second you have a fuel issue and can rule out the ignition or theft security

So strangely enough, after 4 days of sitting in the driveway, I tried to start it up and it did!! I didn’t do anything special, I didn’t even try to put it in neutral. I did notice this time that when I turned the key to the ON position, I hear a low humming sound around the dashboard that I was not hearing 4 days ago.

Do you think it could still be a fuel issue?

 

[410Fortune]

Yes it sure could be! Let us know when it happens again keep your eye on the theft light