only way to start the truck is by popping the clutch

[cmhaah06]

as fast as i can i'll tell you the prob....im at work. i was out running around yesterday and ran into this...i parked the expolrer went into a store and when i came out and turned the key to start it....it did nothing.

well not nothing...it made that weird tat,tat,tat, sound you get when ur battery is dead...so i pull out the battery...take it to kragen...tests fine...they never put a load on it but it took a charge.

take the "good" battery back to the truck put it in and still does not start...so, like anyone with a manual tranny i push start the truck and take it to kragens again.

they tell me they can not test the alternator because i have to be able to turn off the truck so they can hook up their computer...so i drive it to my dads we fiddle for about 20 minutes and seems like the solenoid on the passenger side inner fender well is not working...(i had a 91 ranger that had issuses like this and i used to start the truck from the solenoid, after putting the key in and turning it to the on position, i would then touch the two prongs together using a screwdriver.)

so i go back to kragens and buy a solenoid and a starter just because...put in the new solenoid and starter and the thing still doesn't want to start.

we fiddle a little bit more and notice that every time i turn the key to start the vehicle the truck acts like its dead...nothing works...then we "wiggle" the ground cable coming from the battery and everything turns back on...now that i know its not the starter, solenoid or battery i have bought new cables...if this doesn't work does anybody have any suggestions???

p.s. need help asap have a big camping trip with friends in two weeks!!!

 

[Brett F.]

take it to advanced auto or auto zone.

 

[beauboy]

You've replaced the soleniod and the starter already. It is your cables. Too bad you found it to be the least expensive thing last. But I've had the same woes quite a few years back and followed the trial and error. My money's on the cables.

 

[cmhaah06]

i hope so, yeah it sucks to think i spent all that money and it may be the cheapest on the list, but oh well got to spend some money on my truck. you wont ever here me complain about that. i do have to say this though... i do most of my posts from my phone i dont know what id do without my phone and this site.

 

[JDraper]

Cables are a very common problem in the Gen 1 Explorers. They get corrosion internally with no visible damage on the outside. Usually your accessories will work but the vehicle won't start.

 

[pmi]

wont start

If its not the cables try looking at your fly wheel for missing teeth.

 

[MDewell]

isnt there some kind of neutral safety switch that could be the cause? Like on old chevys, if the car's not in park or neutral, it wont start..

Seems like with manual transmissions there's some kind of sensor that tells the computer that the clutch is engaged..

Just a guess...I'm not too familiar with the manual drive transmissions on fords.

 

[91exploreron37]

If it were the NSS then it wouldnt click or anything. I'm also betting its the cables. Same problem I had a few times.

 

[cmhaah06]

thanks for all the help people. i will be changing the cables tonight after i get off work. i hope this works.

 

[cmhaah06]

well, i changed the battery cables and the beast started right up. i was so happy that it was the cables. runs like a champ again.