Non-Running Explorer

[Cobra01]

OK, my X stopped running about a week ago. Before that we just had a new 5.0 put in at the Ford Dealership. I don't think that was the problem since it ran great for about two weeks after that. I think its an electical problem, but I don't know where. I have no money right now and can't take it into a shop.

Symptoms:
Engine won't turn over, the starter doesn't even try.
Battery is good, the headlights/inside lights work.
The radio won't turn on, nor will the gauges.
I can't find anything disconnected in the engine compartment, or missing fuses.

It is a 1997 Explorer 5.0L V8 AWD XLT.

 

[techieman33]

Try a different battery. Sometimes the battery won't be fully dead and the lights will work, but it won't have enough power to start the engine.

 

[410Fortune]

I'll give you $3000 right now for your truck

 

[Kevin Kuiper]

Yes, I agree, Try another Battery... Or At the Least, Try Cleaning the Conections...

 

[V8BoatBuilder]

Ok... if the lights work, but you don't hear anything from the starter, here are some questions to get us going on the diagnostic.

1) When you put the key to "start," do your lights dim?

2) Do you have a factory alarm, with starter motor bypass/cutoff?

3) Do you have a multimeter, and some scrap cable?

On the driver's side fender, behind the ABS pump and before the fusebox is the starter motor relay. Remove the little wire, the red cap should just pull straight off the relay.
1) Set your meter to DC volts, and stick the positive lead in the cap, and the negative on the negative battery post.
2) Have a buddy hold the key in th "start" position. If you get about 12 volts on the meter, your truck's dash wiring is fine, and the problem lies in the engine bay.
3) If you do not get voltage here, your problem most likley lies in the dash wiring, alarm, or ignition switch.

To test the underhood wiring, and start your truck:
1) With the trigger lead from above still disconnected, turn the key to the normal "run" position.
2) Take a short piece of wire, and jump from the positive terminal on the battery to the stud terminal on the relay.
3) The starter motor should run as long as you hold the wire on, and the truck should start. Remove the wire once the truck starts!!!

Post back your results.

Your problem might just be the ignition switch, if you're not getting any interior electrical (gauges, radio, etc). I'd go ahead and test the starter circiut anyway.

 

[Billy177]

call ford they should fix it for free under warranty from them putting the new engine in

 

[Cobra01]

I don't think it's anything Ford did since it was running beautifully for several weeks after the engine install.

I have tested the battery and it has enough juice even under load.

Theres no alarm, though we have that problem on our Corvette.

I'll have to try manually starting it, but the gauges and radio still wouldn't work right?
Would the Computer work if those ^ aren't?

Thanks for the help!
410 - Mine's not for sale, but I have seen many for sale around, try cruising the lots on Colfax, I saw several V8's down there.