Help Needed Please

[bigrick1213]

Hello everyone I have a 1999 ford explorer and having a diffcult problem with starting it. Not trying to be rude but before you start saying check battery and look for corrosion on battery and starter terminals please read the whole post. BTW I have done all of those and checked the starter.
Well my explorer wont start and wont crank at all I here the starter relay kicking it but nothing else wont even try to budge.
I have got it to start couple times by jerking steering wheel back and forth while trying to start it. But then when I park it for an hour it does same thing.
It also randomly with out jerking will start right up but most time now it wont start even if im jerking the steering wheel. Also I have realized the when I put the key into the ignition its kinda of hard I mean I can put it in but takes more force than ussually. Also its getting harder to take out like its getting jammed against somthing.
If anyone could maybe give me some tips with this I would greatly appreciate it trying to fix my car to get home for valentines day.
Thanks all for replying in advance.

 

[Sedition]

Firstly I have some questions for you. Is your key worn? Is there any possibility you are using a key from another Explorer? Are you jerking the steering wheel to get the key to turn past the steering lock, or just to get the starter its self to kick? Do you have an anti theft device?

 

[bigrick1213]

No key is only 6 months old tried that option to. Idk but when i jerk the steering wheel back and forth sometimes its like it sends signal to starter to kick in. Not now though really ill get luck sometimes but ussually trick dont work anymore. And yes i do have anti-theft with keypad door lock also if that makes any difference.

Thank you for replying back so fast

 

[Sedition]

Did you get this new key coppied from your original? I don't suppose you have your old key on you? If the key is binding up a bit when you pull it out of the ignition, your truck may think its the wrong key, due to the cut not being perfect.

 

[bigrick1213]

idk i lost other one but why would it start pretty good for 5 months then start this
maybe it starts whering weird

 

[Sedition]

Hmmmm. I wonder if you can bridge the terminals on the starter's solenoid with a screwdriver to get it to start while the ignition is in the on position. Just for now, to get you home.

 

[bigrick1213]

tried it dad used to be old school mechanic he know few tricks but he hates these new computers in the cars

 

[bigrick1213]

Could my lock cylinder be going bad

 

[Sedition]

Well if you have eliminated all relays fuses and solenoid from being faulty and with that key binding up in there like that I'd say more than likely that barrel has worn out. You mentioned earlier your battery condition and connections are good also.

 

[bigrick1213]

Yep battery is fine connections are fine. Now are you supposed to have resistance when putting the key in? Well I know probably a little bit but parents both drive fords tested out putting the keys in each one they had just enough like resistance to hold the key in place but mine just seems like a riduculous amount is the any way of testing one before going and shelling out 30 bucks.

 

[Sedition]

Mine just slips in quite easy. There is some type of dry lock lube spray you can get that might free it up a bit, I think its called Lock Saver or something along those lines. It may free up something "sticking" in there. I guess if you get results with it, it will prove your lock cylinder faulty but apart from that I'm not sure how else you could test it.

 

[bigrick1213]

Could I take it out and see if there any significant damage to it or would it all be on inside? And what about ignition switch what symptoms would show for that failing ?

 

[bigrick1213]

Just putting another thing sign might point to ignition switch. Was researching and alot of people say when you turn the key to start position all of the warning lights should go off. My question is does that mean check gauge seatbelt and such.

 

[2000StreetRod]

try Neutral

Have you tried to start the vehicle in Neutral instead of Park? Maybe the shift cable to the transmission needs adjusting. Put the selector in Neutral and press up slightly on the selector if it won't crank when centered.

However, according to my 2000 wiring diagram if you hear the Starter Motor Relay in the Battery Junction Box activate then there is no problem with the ignition key or shift selector. When the Starter Motor Relay activates it enables power to flow from Fuse 5 (50 amps) in the Battery Junction Box via a yellow wire thru the Starter Motor Relay to the Starter Motor via a yellow/light blue wire. If there is battery voltage at the YE/LB wire contact at the starter moter when the ignition key is in the start position then your problem is in the starter motor which has an internal high current relay.

 

[bigrick1213]

Ok I do here it but why is every symptom I look at online say that my warning lights should go off new starter not even a year old. Hmmm though you might be on to somthing with cable we had to adjust it once before in the console might explain why it starts sometimes when I jiggles

 

[Sedition]

Yes that is correct about the dash lights.

http://www.explorerforum.com/forums/showthread.php?t=339234 This member had something inside his ignition switch broken. It would no longer accept the key. So possiby some damage may show up in there if you remove it.

 

[bigrick1213]

By the way thank you all for suggestions ahead of time. Im also not trying to rule of all of your guys conclusions but I have tried so many things. lol

 

[Sedition]

So when you turn the key to the "ON" position do your dash lights illuminate?

 

[bigrick1213]

Yes

 

[kkjb4x4.0]

I know you said you checked for corrosion at the battery and terminals but you need to make sure the cable is sound the whole length right to the starter. It may be difficult to tell cause it could be hidden under the insulation. There is a small wire that goes to the solenoid on the fender,I've had that little wire break befor and cause a no start. Don't know if thats your problem though, good luck!