Mr. Alligator
Explorer Addict
- Joined
- November 30, 2014
- Messages
- 1,297
- Reaction score
- 1,028
- City, State
- Tampa, Florida
- Year, Model & Trim Level
- 1997 XLT Explorer
Ok, I have read the posts on this issue, but have not resolved this issue. I am out of State, and do not have access to a multimeter (yet). I am stuck.
EDIT: This may have started about a week ago, when turning the ignition key caused a complete loss of power in the cabin. Turning the key a few more times resolved the issue at the time and truck started and had full power. This sort of thing happened a few times. I thought this was a loose battery terminal, so I tightened the battery terminals.
Now, the truck will not crank at all. No apparent engagement of starter. No noise from starter area. When I turn the ignition to start, I do hear the fender starter relay click once, every time.
Battery has lots of power. Battery terminals are sound and tight. Battery cables have been replaced.
Truck has good headlight power, which is not reduced at all when I turn the ignition to try to engage the starter.
My first suspect was the starter. I removed it, took it to auto parts store, and test said it was good. So I put starter back in truck. Nothing changed.
I have tried to jump the fender relay with a screw driver, then by removing power cable and touching the single cable from one post directly to other post... result is minor electric sparks, but no crank and no noise or crank from starter.
I have also swapped the relays in the underhood power distribution box, and checked all of the fuses in the this box. Fuses looked good, and nothing changed.
Both the fender relay and the ignition switch are original parts.
Question: would favorable “test” at discount auto parts store rule out problems with starter?
Question: shouldn’t jumping the fender relay posts engage the starter, bypassing any potential issues with fender relay or ignition switch?
Question: any other thoughts or suggestions?
Thank you!
@imp
EDIT: This may have started about a week ago, when turning the ignition key caused a complete loss of power in the cabin. Turning the key a few more times resolved the issue at the time and truck started and had full power. This sort of thing happened a few times. I thought this was a loose battery terminal, so I tightened the battery terminals.
Now, the truck will not crank at all. No apparent engagement of starter. No noise from starter area. When I turn the ignition to start, I do hear the fender starter relay click once, every time.
Battery has lots of power. Battery terminals are sound and tight. Battery cables have been replaced.
Truck has good headlight power, which is not reduced at all when I turn the ignition to try to engage the starter.
My first suspect was the starter. I removed it, took it to auto parts store, and test said it was good. So I put starter back in truck. Nothing changed.
I have tried to jump the fender relay with a screw driver, then by removing power cable and touching the single cable from one post directly to other post... result is minor electric sparks, but no crank and no noise or crank from starter.
I have also swapped the relays in the underhood power distribution box, and checked all of the fuses in the this box. Fuses looked good, and nothing changed.
Both the fender relay and the ignition switch are original parts.
Question: would favorable “test” at discount auto parts store rule out problems with starter?
Question: shouldn’t jumping the fender relay posts engage the starter, bypassing any potential issues with fender relay or ignition switch?
Question: any other thoughts or suggestions?
Thank you!
@imp