2003 Explorer XLT 4.0V6 4WD Automatic - No Start problem

[Doc49]

Hello everyone! I need your help.
My '03 Explorer XLT won't start. When I turn the keyed ignition to start I get nothing but I do hear a solid sounding mechanical click followed by an intermittent faint high-pitched whine. It has remained this way for the past week every time I try to start it.
Here's what I've done to address the issue:
1. I opened the hood and disconnected my battery terminals. I wire cleaned the posts and the connectors, put battery felts down, the reconnected the terminals.
2. I got out my cheap multimeter and checked the voltage on my battery. It was 13.3-13.70 volts at static. When I turn the key to start my my battery dropped down to 7.0 volts. It goes back up to 13.7 volts once I go back to accessory, power on, and key locked.
3. I also tried to stay my Explorer in Neutral instead of park. Same results as 2 above.
4. Under the hood I opened the fuse box and located fuse #12 and relay #52. I test both and they work/function fine. While I had the box opened I went ahead and checked all the fuses. All good except fuse #17, a blown 20amp blade fuse which I replaced.
5. I even made a jumper wire and with relay #52 removed, I touched connecter 30 to 87. Same solid sounding mechanical click as if I were in the Explorer trying to key start it. I replaced the relay and closed the box.
6. I bought a new starter and installed it after removing the old one. Unfortunately I have the same results! Nothing but a mechanical click and an intermittent faint high-pitched whine..
7. Just to play it safe I finally got out a big ol' ratchet and 19mm socket for the front of the crank. I could not budge that thing to turn! Damn it!
8. Checked oil level real quick and I was within 1/2 a quart of being full.
9. What the heck! How does my Explorer drive perfectly fine like clockwork then all of a sudden it seizes up? I don't get it!

Are there any other things I can do to diagnose what it going on? I don't want to rebuild an engine with 205k miles on it. I'm hoping I'm just overlooking something.
Oh, BTW, I took the old starter down to my box auto parts store to have it tested on their machine. It passed with flying colors.

Anyway, I'm at my wits end for now. I could really use some help
Thanks, Rich.

 

[Fix4Dirt]

Hello everyone! I need your help.
My '03 Explorer XLT won't start. When I turn the keyed ignition to start I get nothing but I do hear a solid sounding mechanical click followed by an intermittent faint high-pitched whine. It has remained this way for the past week every time I try to start it.
Here's what I've done to address the issue:
1. I opened the hood and disconnected my battery terminals. I wire cleaned the posts and the connectors, put battery felts down, the reconnected the terminals.
2. I got out my cheap multimeter and checked the voltage on my battery. It was 13.3-13.70 volts at static. When I turn the key to start my my battery dropped down to 7.0 volts. It goes back up to 13.7 volts once I go back to accessory, power on, and key locked.
3. I also tried to stay my Explorer in Neutral instead of park. Same results as 2 above.
4. Under the hood I opened the fuse box and located fuse #12 and relay #52. I test both and they work/function fine. While I had the box opened I went ahead and checked all the fuses. All good except fuse #17, a blown 20amp blade fuse which I replaced.
5. I even made a jumper wire and with relay #52 removed, I touched connecter 30 to 87. Same solid sounding mechanical click as if I were in the Explorer trying to key start it. I replaced the relay and closed the box.
6. I bought a new starter and installed it after removing the old one. Unfortunately I have the same results! Nothing but a mechanical click and an intermittent faint high-pitched whine..
7. Just to play it safe I finally got out a big ol' ratchet and 19mm socket for the front of the crank. I could not budge that thing to turn! Damn it!
8. Checked oil level real quick and I was within 1/2 a quart of being full.
9. What the heck! How does my Explorer drive perfectly fine like clockwork then all of a sudden it seizes up? I don't get it!

Are there any other things I can do to diagnose what it going on? I don't want to rebuild an engine with 205k miles on it. I'm hoping I'm just overlooking something.
Oh, BTW, I took the old starter down to my box auto parts store to have it tested on their machine. It passed with flying colors.

Anyway, I'm at my wits end for now. I could really use some help
Thanks, Rich

the "elements" of startinf and running are

fuel
air
spark
timing
compression

easiest: whats fuel pressure like? when you turn the key is the sound coming from the fuel tank? if so thats a good sign! if theres a test port on your motor, by all means test to make sure theres fuel reaching the rail!

then, check for spark with one of those in line testers that light up when there is spark, or just look at the plugs

compression- check with a tester avail at your local parts store

air- make sure you dont have large obstructions in intake

timing- this ones hard, there shoyld be some markings on the balancer to set TDC line em up like the sights of a gun and tey to peer thru the spark plug hole to see if its at TDC (unlikely if it was running prior to no start)

this should at least get the vehicle to start...

OH!!! also make sure theres no pats issue, theft light rapid flash eyx

 

[Stynx]

The whine is probably the fuel pump. Honestly, it just sounds like a battery issue. If you have another battery handy, try swapping it in and see what happens. You could try using a jump box as well. That way you can at least rule out a bad battery. I'd check the connections to the alternator as well, and make sure there aren't any other major connections loose.

 

[Fix4Dirt]

The whine is probably the fuel pump. Honestly, it just sounds like a battery issue. If you have another battery handy, try swapping it in and see what happens. You could try using a jump box as well. That way you can at least rule out a bad battery. I'd check the connections to the alternator as well, and make sure there aren't any other major connections loose.

much easier than my idea... try that first

 

[Doc49]

Thank you for your reply.
I'm still working at it.

Unable to test fuel pressure without the engine running.
Unable to get any codes for fuel pressures from my obd port.
Spark can't be checked if I can't get the engine to turn over.
Airbox and filter are clear of any and all obstructions. New filter within last 1000 miles.
Again, can't check for cylinder compression unless the engine turns over.
Same goes for timing without having a running engine.

Here's what I have done.
1. All the old spark plugs have been removed.
2. I squirted about 10cc's of 10-30w oil into each cylinder.
3. I let that soak for 24 hours.
4. I tried to start the Explorer but nothing other than a loud mechanical click coming from the stater.
5. I believe the whine is also coming from the starter when I try and hold the key in the crank position too long.
6. I can hear the fuel pump in the tank come on if I crawl under the Explorer.

 

[Fix4Dirt]

right forgot it dont turn over... the click could be the starter relay, or could be the starter trying to turn over but fighting too much resistance.you mentioned motor cant be turned over, correct by hand w breaker bar? if so, i wonder if piston smacked valve ad something is locked up, as it shouldnt have that much resistance imo... something tells me there is too much resistance from engine and is fighting the starter... also, i overlooked this, but can you try in neutral? could be safety switch... can can you ensure that its in neutral, as the shift cable has strethed in mine so i compensate for that, but at times it seems like im in park when imnot

 

[Doc49]

The whine is probably the fuel pump. Honestly, it just sounds like a battery issue. If you have another battery handy, try swapping it in and see what happens. You could try using a jump box as well. That way you can at least rule out a bad battery. I'd check the connections to the alternator as well, and make sure there aren't any other major connections loose.

Thanks for your reply.

The whine appears to be coming from the starter when I hold the key in the start position too long. I'll get the loud mechanical click followed by the faint high pitched whine.

I can hear the fuel pump turn on when I crawl under the Explorer next to the fuel tank and have the key turned to accessories by a helper.

My battery is good and holds a 13.4-13.7 volt charge. I've also tried using jumper cables linked to a running vehicle. No luck.

The wires to the alternator are tightly secured. No issues with the appearance of the wires either. Ground straps have been cleaned and checked.

I removed the fan belt as I read somewhere that a frozen AC pump could potentially stop an engine from turning over. The AC pump as well as all other accessory pumps turn freely and smoothly.

I'm still not understanding HOW the engine could be seized if it was running fine before it was parked, without any indicating signs of a problem, i.e. squealing or bringing noises, loss of oil pressure, sudden shut off, etc. There was nothing unusual with how the Explorer was operating last week when I parked it in the driveway and shut it off.

 

[Fix4Dirt]

Thanks for your reply.

The whine appears to be coming from the starter when I hold the key in the start position too long. I'll get the loud mechanical click followed by the faint high pitched whine.

I can hear the fuel pump turn on when I crawl under the Explorer next to the fuel tank and have the key turned to accessories by a helper.

My battery is good and holds a 13.4-13.7 volt charge. I've also tried using jumper cables linked to a running vehicle. No luck.

The wires to the alternator are tightly secured. No issues with the appearance of the wires either. Ground straps have been cleaned and checked.

I removed the fan belt as I read somewhere that a frozen AC pump could potentially stop an engine from turning over. The AC pump as well as all other accessory pumps turn freely and smoothly.

I'm still not understanding HOW the engine could be seized if it was running fine before it was parked, without any indicating signs of a problem, i.e. squealing or bringing noises, loss of oil pressure, sudden shut off, etc. There was nothing unusual with how the Explorer was operating last week when I parked it in the driveway and shut it off.

given that it was just runnig, could it be safety switch? or maybe solenoid stuck

 

[Doc49]

right forgot it dont turn over... the click could be the starter relay, or could be the starter trying to turn over but fighting too much resistance.you mentioned motor cant be turned over, correct by hand w breaker bar? if so, i wonder if piston smacked valve ad something is locked up, as it shouldnt have that much resistance imo... something tells me there is too much resistance from engine and is fighting the starter

Lol!

Click noise appears to be coming from the starter solenoid attached to the starter. The starter relay in the fuse box is way to soft of a sound but I can feel it when I test it.

Yes, I've used a very large breaker bar and more force than necessary to try to get the engine to rotate. Even with the sparkplugs removed.

I squirted some oil into each cylinder then waited 24 hours before I tried to turn the engine by hand again. No luck.

I don't recall any ticking or tapping noise coming from the engine the last time I drove the Explorer. It started up and drove fine for a short trip up the hill to the store and back. No load or high speeds. City roads with 25mph limits.

 

[Fix4Dirt]

Lol!

Click noise appears to be coming from the starter solenoid attached to the starter. The starter relay in the fuse box is way to soft of a sound but I can feel it when I test it.

Yes, I've used a very large breaker bar and more force than necessary to try to get the engine to rotate. Even with the sparkplugs removed.

I squirted some oil into each cylinder then waited 24 hours before I tried to turn the engine by hand again. No luck.

I don't recall any ticking or tapping noise coming from the engine the last time I drove the Explorer. It started up and drove fine for a short trip up the hill to the store and back. No load or high speeds. City roads with 25mph limits.

thats odd that it would do that out of the blue!!! it shouldnt have that much resistance! is there a way to peer thru the spark plug holes and make sure the piston doesnt have any marks on it? just want to rule out jumped timing

 

[Stynx]

so you couldnt turn the motor over with a breaker bar even with the plugs out and the trans in neutral?

 

[Doc49]

given that it was just runnig, could it be safety switch? or maybe solenoid stuck

I tried to start it in both park and neutral. I believe the safety switch would prevent the starter solenoid from engaging if the sensor was reading the Explorer was in gear, or even if the switch had failed altogether.

I'm so confused and frustrated.

 

[Fix4Dirt]

I tried to start it in both park and neutral. I believe the safety switch would prevent the starter solenoid from engaging if the sensor was reading the Explorer was in gear, or even if the switch had failed altogether.

I'm so confused and frustrated.

sometimes the shift cable can stretch and appear as if you are in park when in reality you arent. if you push the collumn up all the way and pull down 2 click you are in neutral now. on the 2nd click/clunk, does yours say neutral? odd though that it would not turn over at all, doesnt make me believe in the switch.. could it have hydrolocked when you shut it off (high pressure coolant, nothing to burn it off) and it bent a rod? hoping it isnt that

 

[Doc49]

thats odd that it would do that out of the blue!!! it shouldnt have that much resistance! is there a way to peer thru the spark plug holes and make sure the piston doesnt have any marks on it? just want to rule out jumped timing

I wish I had one of those inspection cameras that I could shove into the spark plug holes to get a look at what's going on in there. Space is too tight for me to see anything with inspection mirrors and a flashlight. Heck, I even tried using the camera on my phone.

 

[Fix4Dirt]

no worries, is there a parts store near you? sometimes they let you borrow stuff...

I wish I had one of those inspection cameras that I could shove into the spark plug holes to get a look at what's going on in there. Space is too tight for me to see anything with inspection mirrors and a flashlight. Heck, I even tried using the camera on my phone.

 

[Doc49]

sometimes the shift cable can stretch and appear as if you are in park when in reality you arent. if you push the collumn up all the way and pull down 2 click you are in neutral now. on the 2nd click/clunk, does yours say neutral? odd though that it would not turn over at all, doesnt make me believe in the switch.. could it have hydrolocked when you shut it off (high pressure coolant, nothing to burn it off) and it bent a rod? hoping it isnt that

My gear selector moves very crisply and without any slop. It seems to engage each position firmly.
I doubt a hydrolock situation occured as I didn't have the Explorer running long enough to reach high temps. It's only about a mile and half to the store and a mile and a half back on 25 mph roads. One stop sign and one traffic light.

 

[Fix4Dirt]

My gear selector moves very crisply and without any slop. It seems to engage each position firmly.
I doubt a hydrolock situation occured as I didn't have the Explorer running long enough to reach high temps. It's only about a mile and half to the store and a mile and a half back on 25 mph roads. One stop sign and one traffic light.

in that case, im out of ideas for now maybe one will come to mind later today... sorry!

 

[Doc49]

no worries, is there a parts store near you? sometimes they let you borrow stuff...

I'll probably just buy one on Amazon come pay day. Like I said, I don't have one which means I have an excuse to buy one now,

 

[Doc49]

in that case, im out of ideas for now maybe one will come to mind later today... sorry!

Thanks for your efforts. They are appreciated. Have a good day. It's pouring buckets here.

 

[Fix4Dirt]

I'll probably just buy one on Amazon come pay day. Like I said, I don't have one which means I have an excuse to buy one now,

Thanks for your efforts. They are appreciated. Have a good day. It's pouring buckets here.

no problem! let us know if you find anything else, and if i can think of any other solution, ill be sure to post