Explorer will not start, only get a clicking sound.

[Niks97cobra]

I have a 2001 4.0 4wd sport.

I have been having problems with the door locks for the last couple of weeks to the point I was having to climb in and out through the passenger side door. The locks would try to unlock, but wouldn't completely. I took the driver's side door panel off and managed to get the door unlocked by pulling the handle and simultaneously pressing the unlock. This allowed me to at least get out of the drivers side by opening the door from the outside handle (inside handle still would not allow me to open the door.

I then disabled the automatic lock feature and unplugged the electric locks so that the door would not accidently get locked. My arm accidently hit the lock manually, so I took the door panel back off, plugged the door locks up, unlocked it, and then unplugged the door locks again. I had just driven the explorer with no problems. When I went to put the windows back up, they went back up very slowly. When I attempted to start the explorer, all I got was this loud clicking from underneath the hood. I can't tell exactly where it it is coming from, and no one else is home to turn the key so that I can listen.

Any ideas? I assume some kind of fuse blew from me unplugging and plugging the door locks in. Or somehow this messed with the starter solenoid (I'm assuming the '01s have a solenoid).

Any help is appreciated!

Thanks!

Nik

 

[deweyville65]

Sounds like a low voltage situation. Pull the battery cables, ground first, clean the battery posts and cable ends, reinstall, ground last. You will probably have to charge the battery to get it to start, or have it jumped. Let it run for a while before you shut it off.

 

[C420sailor]

Battery needs a charge. That clicking is the starter solenoid rapidly closing and opening from insufficient battery voltage.

 

[BGrace]

My 1997 Explorer has a lone solenoid inside the drivers side fender, easily accesable from under the hood, hooked to the battery (between the ABS pump & power distribution block), it looks like everything requiring power is wired into this solenoid!! Mine lasted 14 years before going bad. The starter is hooked to this solenoid as well (I have no idea why, it has one attached to it already). Anyways I started having similar issues to Nicks97cobra. Door locks, windows, same thing. Finally the starter went and all I got was the dreaded clicking noise when I turned the ignition. I replaced the starter (which required some skill and a lot of patience). When I was done replacing the starter I went to triumphantly start the vehicle and still, just clicking. So my first thought was it needed a shim(s). Then I investigated the wiring I was required to splice into the starter. Before electing to throw more money at my problem SUV. That's when I located the second solenoid. I could tell it was bad by shorting the two posts with a screwdriver. Long story short if you end up replacing this solenoid get a MotorCraft OEM from the dealer. Ones I got from six major auto parts suppliers all had to be returned as they did not fit or operate correctly.

 

[snoranger]

Clean the battery connections.
Check the battery voltage. (should be above 12 volts.)
Charge the battery if needed(or jump it).
If it starts after charging, test the alt. You want approx 14 volts while its running.

 

[aelli614]

I had the same problem. Issue was battery cable. Changed the NEG. terminal problem solved.

 

[1992fordgreen]

Battery connections. If absolutely nothing works in the car, like no odo lights when turn the key, your battery needs a charge.