Major problem please help! | Ford Explorer Forums

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Major problem please help!

Zabz

Member
Joined
June 6, 2010
Messages
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City, State
Atlanta, Ga
Year, Model & Trim Level
'99 Explorer XLT
My car will not start what so ever. When I try to crank it there is absolutely no response. What does this mean??? I've had the starter checked out and I don't think it's the battery because the radio and lights and air and everything else still works. What could this be?
 



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Do you have corroded battery cables? Common problem with the explorers.If the cables are swelled at the battery, the corrosion is inside the insulation. If this is the case, Replace the entire cable, and not just the end. That is what it sounds like. Probably the positive cable to the starter,the other cable from the battery powers up everything else.
 






does it make a clickin noise
 






Clean the battery cable connections. even though you have lights and radio, there may not be sufficient voltage and current to excite the starter relay coil. If the starter relay coil is not excited, then how do you expect it to turn you on?:D


Your truck's relays will not operate reliably unless they have a good strong 12v from the battery. However, the radio may operate at 11.6 --understand?
 






How do I clean the battery cable connections? I don't even know how to take the cables off the battery.
 












it could always be the altenator...my altenator went and it did the same thing,it drained the battery ad wouldnt start but lights and sterio worked...check it out
 






it could always be the altenator...my altenator went and it did the same thing,it drained the battery ad wouldnt start but lights and sterio worked...check it out

Whats an alternator? I know nothing about cars work with me people Iz is sorry :(
 






Honestly, if you don't know what an alternator is or how to disconnect the battery cables, then you might want to look into having a shop do this for you. If it is just needing new battery cables, then it should be a cheap repair. If not, at least they'll be able to tell you exactly what the problem is and you can go from there. I'd suggest getting an Haynes or Chilton manual for your truck.
 






Get AAA then call them, easier and cheaper if you don't know how to get started! Safer for your vehicle. Another option might be that you can put a request for help on your local craigslist or something and pay some kid or out of work bubba to come help you.
 






Honestly, if you don't know what an alternator is or how to disconnect the battery cables, then you might want to look into having a shop do this for you. If it is just needing new battery cables, then it should be a cheap repair. If not, at least they'll be able to tell you exactly what the problem is and you can go from there. I'd suggest getting an Haynes or Chilton manual for your truck.

Eh I was thinking if it was my alternator wouldn't my whole battery be drained? The radio and lights wouldn't be working either right? I know how to take my battery cables off I was just getting to frantic (>.<) I keep telling my mother that my truck could simply need a new battery cable. But she keeps saying *no its nothing else*. She thinks its a blown fuse. I checked my fuses except I don't know how the black fuses look when their blown.

Also one last question. How do I know if my engine is OHV or SOHC? I've been looking but can't seem to find anything on the engine that tells me.
 












Im going to go in a different direction and say turn the key to the ON position and put the truck into neutral and then try to start it. If it starts, then you should look into this thread
http://www.explorerforum.com/forums//showthread.php?t=266031 and this thread http://www.explorerforum.com/forums/showthread.php?t=219144&highlight=shifter+bolt+fell

I hope this is your problem as it would be the easiest to fix

I put it in neutral and it started right up. Now that I've done that my gears are working perfectly. It goes into park easily and the needle matches up with the letters now. I have no bolt that fell out unless the bolt was out before the truck was bought. Can you tell me how to check if the bolt is out or not? And if it's not the bolt can you tell me what this could be so I could prevent this from happening again?
 






neutral safety switch just replaced myne, it is on the linkage on the transmission
 






neutral safety switch just replaced myne, it is on the linkage on the transmission

Ok I'll mention this when I have my truck checked out.
 






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