No start...but REALLY odd. Need help ASAP

[Lodogg2221]

Hello all.

I have an 05 Explorer, 4.0 4x4.

Has been fine until this afternoon.
My wife got home from work, and I went out to go to the Post Office, and the Explorer wouldnt start.
Wouldnt do anything actually.
When I put the key in, I got the airbag warning light to flicker a bit, but that was the only light I saw. Then nothing.

Even the flashing red light in the top of the dash wasnt working right. It was on constantly, unless I turned the key, then it went out.

Acted just like the battery was completely dead, but when I checked it with a volt meter, it was at 12.6v.
I goofed around a bit, just doing a cursory check of wires and fuses, though I didnt see any issues, I did curse a lot.

A couple times, the lights would come back on, but when Id try to start it, same thing, Id get maybe a quick single click out of the starter, then nothing.

Well, nothing from the starter. I had some odd clicking from inside the dash, and the wipers were on, though I didnt know it, or I accidentally turned them on, but there would be a click and they would move a bit, then another click with a bit more movement...

I did try to charge it, but my charger said it was charged...

Need help, because this is my wifes transportation to and from work...and to take the kids to and from as well...

 

[jp450]

Original battery? if so replace the battery. Sounds like a bad battery! Or even a bad battery cable but I would doubt that with it being an 05.

 

[Elessar65]

Try jumping it and see if it fires up for ya. If it does then its the battery.

 

[tv4fish]

It sure sounds like bad battery cable connection(s) or a bad battery. First thing I would do is remove both the 2 battery cables at the battery, clean up the inside of the cable ends AND the battery posts, re-connect them and make sure they're tight and then try to start it. If that doesn't do it - then do the same to the other end of both cables. If nothing - then try a different battery.

 

[sport97]

x2 on the battery cables if it wont jump start. The cables might not be bad, they may need cleaned or tightened.

 

[Lodogg2221]

Thanks for the replies.

I ended up, last night, cleaning the terminals, which didnt help, then after a little bit, remembered that my garden tractor has a car battery in it (funny how you dont think of those things at times), so I tried jumping it. It actually turned over but slowly, so I let it sit for a minute and tried again, and it fired up.

Took it to Autozone where they confirmed it was the battery and the charging system was OK.

Got a new battery and all is well.

I still say thats the weirdest bad battery symptoms ever. Maybe Im just used to the old stuff where the solenoid clicks and all the lights are dim...

I am glad it happened in our driveway though, instead of on the road somewhere on our holiday travels.