'03 Explorer won't crank

[MTBlood]

I registered here hoping I can get some help from people who know what their talking about.

Yesterday morning I tried starting my '03 Explorer and all I could hear was the solenoid clicking, much like it would do if the battery were dead. I tried jumping it and got nothing, no clicking, no cranking, no nothing. I put the charger to it and let it charge for 7 or 8 hours and still nothing. I bought a new battery today and still nothing.

When I turn the key I do hear the fuel pump, all the lights illuminate,but I get no action from the starter. I checked the fuses behind the drivers fender well and all appear to still be ok.

The only other strange thing I noticed was after I installed the new battery and turned the key for the first time, my tach and speedometer moved to max position for a few seconds before going back to zero.

I just bought this thing in January and have had it in the shop once already for bad O2 sensors. I really dont want to take it back again so any advice would be greatly appreciated.

Thanks!!
Mike

 

[MTBlood]

I'm not exactly sure what I did but I got it started. Back 20 years ago when I worked in a service shop we'd sometimes tap the side of the solenoid if a starter wouldn't crank, so I did that. I pulled the 30 amp fuse, looked at it, and reinserted it. Then I got under the drivers side dash and there was some button there. It almost looked aftermarket, so I pushed it. Then I turned the key and it cranked up like it was new. So who knows, just hope it doesn't do it again.

 

[Runnin'OnEmpty]

Welcome MTBlood; sorry you didn't get any help on this,
but stick around, there's lots of info here.

If the no-start happens again, try this:

The battery ground cable attaches to a bolt that mounts
the starter motor, and the connection tends to corrode.
Remove the bolt and cable, clean and lube the connection,
see if that helps....