02 xlt won't start

[mrklai]

Hi guys, recently purchased a 02 Explorer XLT, 4.6 V8 at auction and have had it for about 4 months. Last week, the card just died. Wife was driving to work and it shut off, restarted about 5 mins later. I went and picked it up and it died on the way to the repair shop.

Skipping all the pleasantries, it started with a small knock, then the oil gauge fell to red. I've noticed the battery has died since, and when trying to start it makes a clicking noise (possibly the solenoid/starter trying to do something).

I removed the serpentine belt to check all pulleys to see if it was locked, and they all move freely, thinking the alternator is bad, or battery, but am open to suggestions. Please help me figure this out cause I really don't have the finances to buy a new engine.

 

[kworonowski]

get battery and alt tested first (prolly bad battery) also have them run codes on it might have a computer issue....betting on battery though mine did the same thing last year....not sure on oil gauge though may want to check oil pan for "parts" hoping its just the battery for your sake good luck

 

[Foo392]

Wow, that's really interesting, keep us posted, I would like to hear what you find.

 

[mrklai]

thanks for the replies...I spoke with ford dealer and they said it may be battery/alternator and that the car has gone into "THEFT" mode. Will be replacing battery sometime this week, and will post back...in the mean time, does anyone know how to get the car out of theft mode? Dealer told me to manually lock and unlock about 8 times and it should do the trick, but it may not work, in which case I have to have the car towed to their location so that they can do it. I'm open to any suggestions that don't lead me to over $200 in the dealers pocket plus towing.

 

[mrklai]

well alrighty then....replaced battery and the two power point fuses today, and removed "theft" mode....unfortunately, I went to start it and it sounded like It wanted to turn over, then there was this horrible screeching sound...don't know what it was, but my heart fell. Looked at the dash lights and the battery light, check gage light are on and the oil pressure is in the red. I can hear the fuel pump kick in, etcc, but don't know what else to do other than replace the engine and transmission (yeah, the tranny started going before all this happened). IF YOU GUYS HAVE ANY THOUGHTS/IDEAS, PLEASE LET ME KNOW BEFORE I BLOW THE MONEY I DON'T HAVE. -MUCH OBLIGED.

 

[zpn_by]

Don't be too freaked out about the oil pressure being zero/red unless it happens while the engine is running. If the engine is off, the pump isn't spinning, so there can't be any oil pressure. I'd be more concerned if the gauge was up with the engine off, but yours is working fine. All of your lights would be red if the key is on but engine is off. Means there is no charge coming from the alternator, and the "check gauges" message in the message centre (if equipped) comes on by default after a failed start attempt.

Bottom line, you need to get it fired up and to stay running. Don't fret about the lights until you get it started. Then you can pull codes, check the gauges, and listen for screeching. Unless it's so badly buggered that what's causing the screeching is what's keeping it from running. Did you remove the belt and try to start it? I know you said you were able to spin the accessories freely, but it's still worth a shot - at the very least if it cranks, you can eliminate any of the accessories as the source of the noise. Don't run it too long like that though - a half-minute or so if it will hold it as there is no charge from alternator and no water pump for cooling. Let us know. Better, if you can recreate the noise and record it, then post it, there may be better opinions on its source...