No starter operation engine not cranking?

Tiny
SCHAWK46
  • MEMBER
  • 2002 FORD EXPLORER
  • 4.0L
  • V6
  • 4WD
  • AUTOMATIC
  • 185,633 MILES
I have the Sport model. I was going down the road and it made this loud click click click noise and shut off. When I tried to start it back it would click and kind of wine but would not turn over. Got it towed home and changed the starter and it still just has a click and kind of wine and will not turn over. And when I do try to turn it over, it also automatically locks the doors. What could the problem be? Has new battery also.
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Thursday, February 28th, 2019 AT 4:46 PM

55 Replies

Tiny
HARRY P
  • MECHANIC
  • 2,293 POSTS
Hello and welcome to 2CarPros. There are more than a couple of things that you could be describing. If I had to guess, I'd say that your battery died, likely due to a failed alternator. Get a jump start and see if that helps any. If so, then the car will probably run for a bit until the battery dies again, and then you'll be back to square one, but armed with some knowledge. If you can't get it to jump start, then please take a good video of the problem, post it here, and we'll try to troubleshoot it that way.

Here's how to do a jump start:

https://www.2carpros.com/articles/how-to-jump-start-car-battery-using-jumper-cables

So if that worked, then you'll need to get the alternator tested. There are three ways to do that. The first way is to drive the car to the nearest auto parts store and have them test the alternator. They will do this for free, without any appointment. You'd have to charge the battery for a while in order to do that. Charge it by starting another car and hooking up and jumper cables and just let that car idle for a while (maybe thirty minutes).

If it does start with a charged battery, but you can't or don't want to drive it to the parts shop, then start the car, disconnect any jumper cables, and turn on every single accessory that you can think of. Heat, hazards, wipers, radio, roll the power windows up and down, interior lights, headlights, and so on. The car should die in a hurry if the alternator isn't charging.

The third way (probably the most accurate way) would be to remove the alternator from the car and take it to the parts shop for testing. They'll mount it to a machine and run it to see exactly what it puts out. This rules out the possibility of a major short circuit or a blown fuse if the alternator is the problem. I'm attaching AllData's information on how to remove the alternator in the images below. It's fairly straightforward and should just require some basic mechanic's tools (wrench set, ratchet and socket set, and a screwdriver or two).

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Friday, March 1st, 2019 AT 4:40 AM
Tiny
DLUD
  • MEMBER
  • 4 POSTS
  • 2002 FORD EXPLORER
  • 146,236 MILES
How to put back in the part A11335-D on a ford explorer sport 2002. I pulled it out on accident now my car won't start. The part the I accidentally pulled out is connected to the started where you plug the key into.
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Thursday, December 31st, 2020 AT 8:46 AM (Merged)
Tiny
ASEMASTER6371
  • MECHANIC
  • 52,797 POSTS
What was the original issue?? These guides can help us fix it

https://www.2carpros.com/articles/starter-not-working-repair

and

https://www.2carpros.com/articles/car-battery-load-test

Please run down these guides and report back.

Roy
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Thursday, December 31st, 2020 AT 8:46 AM (Merged)
Tiny
DLUD
  • MEMBER
  • 4 POSTS
I was trying to fix some lose connections in the column and as I was putting the cover back on an edge grabed and pulled the blck wire that is connected to a light blue part on the started key hole thing. The part number on it is A11335-D. It has something todo with the door because when put back in the general area where it belongs it dings.
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Thursday, December 31st, 2020 AT 8:46 AM (Merged)
Tiny
ASEMASTER6371
  • MECHANIC
  • 52,797 POSTS
It is the warner for the key left in the ignition when you turn the car off and open the door. It looks like it may have broken.

You can leave this out of the loop as it will not effect the running of the car. It looks like the end piece needs to be replaced as well.

Can you post more pictures a little larger?

Roy
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Thursday, December 31st, 2020 AT 8:46 AM (Merged)
Tiny
DLUD
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Sure but when my camera is too close to it, it becomes very blurry.
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Thursday, December 31st, 2020 AT 8:46 AM (Merged)
Tiny
DLUD
  • MEMBER
  • 4 POSTS
It is also making a strange noise when I turn the key to turn it on. Its like a clicking noise as if the spark plugs are working but it won't turn over. And while I turn the key to turn it on all the warning lights flash including the theft, check engine, check gauges, abs light, seat belt light and battery light.
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Thursday, December 31st, 2020 AT 8:46 AM (Merged)
Tiny
SUTTONJ
  • MEMBER
  • 2 POSTS
  • 2002 FORD EXPLORER
  • 6 CYL
  • 2WD
  • AUTOMATIC
  • 142,000 MILES
02' Ford Explorer. Ran fine yesterday. Went to start this morning and nothing. I've got power to the starter. When you turn the key it "clicks" a few times in the fuse box under the hood then all the gauges go all the way over, then they all go dead. I've checked starter relay, PTEC relay, Ignition relay other fuses all look fine. Any other suggestions?
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Thursday, December 31st, 2020 AT 8:46 AM (Merged)
Tiny
JACOBANDNICKOLAS
  • MECHANIC
  • 108,014 POSTS
Did you check to make sure the battery is good?
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Thursday, December 31st, 2020 AT 8:46 AM (Merged)
Tiny
SUTTONJ
  • MEMBER
  • 2 POSTS
After attempting to start by crossing terminals on the starter, it still did the same thing. As a last resort, I switched the battery. Guess what, it started. Even though the battery is a couple months old. Battery shows 12-13 volts untill you put a strain on it. But on a positive note, the battery was under warranty. Thanks for the input !
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Thursday, December 31st, 2020 AT 8:46 AM (Merged)
Tiny
JACOBANDNICKOLAS
  • MECHANIC
  • 108,014 POSTS
It happens. Sometimes they internally short out and you end up with a dead cell. The others will show 12+ volts, but when under a load, they can't provide the power needed.

Like you said, at least it was under warranty. I'm glad it's fixed. If you have questions in the future, let us know.
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Thursday, December 31st, 2020 AT 8:46 AM (Merged)
Tiny
KAY2
  • MEMBER
  • 4 POSTS
  • 2002 FORD EXPLORER
  • 10,000 MILES
Put key in will not turn over everything lights up will not start. Good battery good starter. Can make engine turn with starter relay. With key ever thing lights but will not turn over.
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Thursday, December 31st, 2020 AT 8:46 AM (Merged)
Tiny
ASEMASTER6371
  • MECHANIC
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Did you jump the starter at the starter? Did you cross the big terminals or the little terminal with the big one. You may still have a bad starter solenoid causing this.

Did the engine start with crossing the wires?

Roy
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Thursday, December 31st, 2020 AT 8:46 AM (Merged)
Tiny
KAY2
  • MEMBER
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Solenoid and starter is good I can get it to turn over by the starter. Put key in to turn to crank car nothing, everying lights up.
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Thursday, December 31st, 2020 AT 8:46 AM (Merged)
Tiny
ASEMASTER6371
  • MECHANIC
  • 52,797 POSTS
Once again, does it start when you cross it?

Roy
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Thursday, December 31st, 2020 AT 8:46 AM (Merged)
Tiny
KAY2
  • MEMBER
  • 4 POSTS
Turn over but will not start
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Thursday, December 31st, 2020 AT 8:46 AM (Merged)
Tiny
ASEMASTER6371
  • MECHANIC
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Ok, it sounds more and more you may have a ignition switch failure. You need to have a shop verify and give you a bid.

Roy
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Thursday, December 31st, 2020 AT 8:46 AM (Merged)
Tiny
KAY2
  • MEMBER
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Thanks
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Thursday, December 31st, 2020 AT 8:46 AM (Merged)
Tiny
JCSUAVE35
  • MEMBER
  • 1 POST
  • 2002 FORD EXPLORER
Engine Mechanical problem
2002 Ford Explorer Four Wheel Drive Automatic 137244 miles

right now I have no power to my jeep. When I put cables to it power comes on but it will not start.I hear clicks. When I disconnect the cables the power is off.I can not even close my doors with the remote.I am wondering if its the starter. How can I fix this problem?

Please help if u can.
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Thursday, December 31st, 2020 AT 8:46 AM (Merged)
Tiny
KERENSELF
  • MEMBER
  • 54 POSTS
If you have NO POWER AT ALL without having jumper cables attached to the battery, it sounds like you don't have a good ground. Check the negative battery cable to make sure it is tight and not corroded both on the battery and at the other end where it attaches either to the engine block or body of the truck. If it's corroded, you can clean with baking soda and water, just be sure not to get any of that icky build-up on yourself - it can eat holes in clothes and, worse, irritate skin and eyes.
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Thursday, December 31st, 2020 AT 8:46 AM (Merged)

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