'96 V6 will not crank, power drains

[Spectre23]

So I bought this vehicle about 2 weeks ago. And it's unfortunate that this has to be my first post on here. But I am looking for help...

My wife took our '96 Explorer 2WD V6 to the store, went in shopping, came out and it would not crank over. When I get there I try it out. Turn the key, and all dome lights, stereo, etc turn off, but there is no buzzing, no clicking, nothing.

Well I had an old car that the plates in the battery broke off and fused together, so I assumed that was the problem again. Walked down to another store and bought a new battery and small tool kit and installed the battery. Same problem. So I assumed maybe the starter was stuck so I hit it as well as I could with the ratchet I had on me. Nothing.

Any idea for things to look for? I am an engineer that designs car parts. Unfortunately my expertise is not in the domestic trucks. I have some experience in diesel stuff, but not a ton. BTW, I searched the topic and came up with nothing. Sorry if this has been asked before. Seems most people with starting issues have a vehicle that actually turns over...

Thanks

 

[Blee1099]

So I bought this vehicle about 2 weeks ago. And it's unfortunate that this has to be my first post on here. But I am looking for help...

My wife took our '96 Explorer 2WD V6 to the store, went in shopping, came out and it would not crank over. When I get there I try it out. Turn the key, and all dome lights, stereo, etc turn off, but there is no buzzing, no clicking, nothing.

Well I had an old car that the plates in the battery broke off and fused together, so I assumed that was the problem again. Walked down to another store and bought a new battery and small tool kit and installed the battery. Same problem. So I assumed maybe the starter was stuck so I hit it as well as I could with the ratchet I had on me. Nothing.

Any idea for things to look for? I am an engineer that designs car parts. Unfortunately my expertise is not in the domestic trucks. I have some experience in diesel stuff, but not a ton. BTW, I searched the topic and came up with nothing. Sorry if this has been asked before. Seems most people with starting issues have a vehicle that actually turns over...

Thanks

if you don't get a clicking sound then it may be the starter solenoid on the drivers fender.

 

[Spectre23]

if you don't get a clicking sound then it may be the starter solenoid on the drivers fender.

If that's the case, I can just connect the 2 positive terminals with pliers or something to test it right?

 

[Blee1099]

If that's the case, I can just connect the 2 positive terminals with pliers or something to test it right?

yeah.. put the key in the on position and short them out using a scrwdriver or pliers and see if it starts.. if it does then the one connector that runs to the ignition is probably gone bad.

 

[speedracer0626]

Sounds like a solenoid issue, now the question is do you have a starter mount or non starter mount. Come on X pros chime in. That is where I would start. You can have the local autoparts store test your starter if it is starter mount.

 

[fixxxer]

Just so we understand better what your issue is, you say that when the key is off or you turn the key to "On" or "Run", you have dome light/dash lights/radio but when you turn the switch to the "start" position, you lose all power to those lights? When you release the key back to the "run" position, do the lights come back on in the truck or do they stay out? Have you checked the terminals on the battery cables? Made sure they are clean and tight?

 

[Spectre23]

Just so we understand better what your issue is, you say that when the key is off or you turn the key to "On" or "Run", you have dome light/dash lights/radio but when you turn the switch to the "start" position, you lose all power to those lights? When you release the key back to the "run" position, do the lights come back on in the truck or do they stay out? Have you checked the terminals on the battery cables? Made sure they are clean and tight?

Yes, that is what is happening. The lights do come back after the switch is returned to the on or run position. And yeah, the terminals on the battery are tight and clean. And the wires are not excessively corroded.

 

[Spectre23]

BTW, are you guys sure the solenoid is on the fender? I didn't see it there. Unfortunately, I am at work and will not be able to go play with it for a couple hours. But last night in the Target parking lot I didn't see it up there. It looked like the wires were going directly from the battery to the starter.

Additional info: I forgot to mention it is an automatic...

 

[fixxxer]

The starter relay is located on the driver's side fender apron, in front of the DLC and Aux Relay box#1, the starter solenoid is part of the starter motor.

 

[fixxxer]

 

[patrick112390]

might also want to look into the nuetral safety switch circuit ......

 

[fixxxer]

The neutral safety switch won't be there for an automatic trannie but the transmission range sensor performs the same job, neither would kill the power to everything, only the starter motor would be effected. This sounds like a bad battery cable or loose ground connection.

 

[patrick112390]

whatever you wanna call it its "the thing that wont let you start the sum ***** in gear" lol ive had a little experience with mine for a day after i installed my 3'' body lift-the shift linkage was messed up so when i would go to start it all the lights would come on then-nothing. just the brake and air bag light come on when you try and start it..just something to think about if your all out of options on the starter circuit diag. imo

 

[Spectre23]

Fender mounted solenoid?

So is this (the shiny black thing) my fender mounted solenoid? Or is this the relay? I don't see a negative terminal, but I suppose the mount could be considered a negative terminal.

 

[fixxxer]

Some may refer to that as the solenoid but it is actually the starter relay, the solenoid is mounted to the starter motor and the solenoid coil gets it's 12v through that relay on the fender. Once the solenoid coil energizes, it pulls the heavy-duty contacts for the starter motor closed and at the same time, engages the starter gear against the flywheel teeth. And yes, the ground for this circuit is the mounting bolts on the starter via the frame.

 

[speedracer0626]

Yes that is it and yes you jump it out but your best bet is to break out the voltmeter and see if you have voltage to it and coming out of it.

 

[speedracer0626]

Yes that is it and yes you jump it out but your best bet is to break out the voltmeter and see if you have voltage to it and coming out of it. if not than check the starter.

 

[Spectre23]

That was the culprit. Some pliers shorted across the leads fixed it.