vaprtrl
Member
- Joined
- January 3, 2010
- Messages
- 25
- Reaction score
- 1
- City, State
- Akron, OH
- Year, Model & Trim Level
- 2002 XLT
Hello, all. I appreciate your reading my question.
My 2002 Explorer recently would not turn over when the key was turned to the START position. I did some troubleshooting, all relays/fuses/etc. were good, and found that there was power at the starter solenoid. So I replaced the starter.
When I turned the key to START, it turned over for a moment and then started clicking (ratatatatatatat, as though the solenoid was trying to engage but couldn't quite get there).
My thought process:
When I was tightening the positive cable to the starter, the back of the solenoid rotated in the housing (a little bit). I though this might have caused a problem, so I tried to loosen the cable and retighten it. My mistake was that I forgot to disconnect the negative battery cable this time, and I got a spark off my wrench. I pulled it out without more sparks, disconnected the negative battery cable, and adjusted the starter wires to my liking. Then I reconnected the battery cable.
Now when I turn the ignition to ON, the THEFT light flashes very quickly (both original ignition keys). After about a minute it flashes what I think is 1:1 (it flashes, pauses 2.5s, flashes, pauses 3.5s, then repeats). I've disconnected the battery and let it sit for an hour as well as overnight hoping that it would help, but it does not change anything. Also, the first time I turn the key to ON I notice the speedometer goes to 120, then backs down to zero (I only notice this the first time after reconnecting the battery).
So...
I'm pretty sure I've hosed something in the computer system. Based on the numerous posts to the forum, I think the best case is that the system has forgotten the key codes. The worst case is that I've damaged the PCM.
What I'm looking for is, did I do so much damage that this is expensive (PCM)? Or is it most likely that I need to be reprogrammed? I can afford one towing, and need to know if I should bring it to the dealer for a reprogramming or if I should tow it home and part it out. I'd appreciate any thoughts on what is my most likely scenario.
By the way, I'm open to trying a few more things before towing, if there are any suggestions (the car is at my place of employment). For instance, "lock and unlock the driver's door 8 times using the key" - I've seen a few posts about that, but don't really believe it.
Thanks in advance for the help!
Alan
My 2002 Explorer recently would not turn over when the key was turned to the START position. I did some troubleshooting, all relays/fuses/etc. were good, and found that there was power at the starter solenoid. So I replaced the starter.
When I turned the key to START, it turned over for a moment and then started clicking (ratatatatatatat, as though the solenoid was trying to engage but couldn't quite get there).
My thought process:
When I was tightening the positive cable to the starter, the back of the solenoid rotated in the housing (a little bit). I though this might have caused a problem, so I tried to loosen the cable and retighten it. My mistake was that I forgot to disconnect the negative battery cable this time, and I got a spark off my wrench. I pulled it out without more sparks, disconnected the negative battery cable, and adjusted the starter wires to my liking. Then I reconnected the battery cable.
Now when I turn the ignition to ON, the THEFT light flashes very quickly (both original ignition keys). After about a minute it flashes what I think is 1:1 (it flashes, pauses 2.5s, flashes, pauses 3.5s, then repeats). I've disconnected the battery and let it sit for an hour as well as overnight hoping that it would help, but it does not change anything. Also, the first time I turn the key to ON I notice the speedometer goes to 120, then backs down to zero (I only notice this the first time after reconnecting the battery).
So...
I'm pretty sure I've hosed something in the computer system. Based on the numerous posts to the forum, I think the best case is that the system has forgotten the key codes. The worst case is that I've damaged the PCM.
What I'm looking for is, did I do so much damage that this is expensive (PCM)? Or is it most likely that I need to be reprogrammed? I can afford one towing, and need to know if I should bring it to the dealer for a reprogramming or if I should tow it home and part it out. I'd appreciate any thoughts on what is my most likely scenario.
By the way, I'm open to trying a few more things before towing, if there are any suggestions (the car is at my place of employment). For instance, "lock and unlock the driver's door 8 times using the key" - I've seen a few posts about that, but don't really believe it.
Thanks in advance for the help!
Alan