Confusing no crank no start

[ThisMeanMachine]

So i have recently purchased a 2000 Explorer Limited with the 5.0 v8. It would start and run great for about the first week. and then all of a sudden when on my lunch break, it would not crank. after work i did some tests and still wont crank. I hear the relays clicking when i turn the ignition and i do not see the theft light come on. So i know its not the key or ignition or the relays. So then i leave the key in the ON postion to turn the fuel pump on, i get underneath and touch the two terminals together on the starter with a screwdriver and it cranks and the engine fires right up. So wouldnt that mean the wires are ok since its still able to ground out? and mean the solenoid is ok? since it still cranked the starter? I could really use some help with this

 

[MAS Tequila]

In the old days I would say you need a starter solenoid.

I haven't had to deal with that yet, so I don't know how the newer ones are set up.

MT