No starter operation - not cranking over?

Tiny
MIKE RUIZ
  • MEMBER
  • 2013 FORD EXPLORER
  • 6 CYL
  • AWD
  • AUTOMATIC
  • 65,000 MILES
This is the second time this has happened to me. The car would work just fine until I parked the car and turned the vehicle off. When I try to start the car again the console would start blinking along with the other lights, then the car would just not start at all.

Yesterday, I drove the car got back home then I realized I forgot something at the store. When I went to start the car again, everything just went dead.

The battery is less than a year old, as it was replaced. I had no receptacles plugged in.
Saturday, May 21st, 2016 AT 7:43 AM

40 Replies

Tiny
KEN L
  • MASTER CERTIFIED MECHANIC
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Hey MIKE,

It does sounds like the battery or cable or the problem, here is an article that can help explain the problem.

https://www.2carpros.com/articles/everything-goes-dead-when-engine-is-cranked

Let us know what you find

Best, Ken

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Tuesday, May 24th, 2016 AT 5:20 PM
Tiny
MIKE RUIZ
  • MEMBER
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Thank you for your feedback. As fate would have it, I used a baking soda/vinegar solution to clean the contacts from the cables to the battery. That actually did the trick. Thank you very much, once again.
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Tuesday, May 24th, 2016 AT 8:28 PM
Tiny
KEN L
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That is so good to hear! Please use 2Carpros anytime we are here to help :)
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Wednesday, May 25th, 2016 AT 8:24 AM
Tiny
ELSEYK3
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  • 5 POSTS
  • 2012 FORD EXPLORER
  • 4.0L
  • V6
  • 4WD
  • AUTOMATIC
  • 95,000 MILES
Wont do nothing when key turned. Starter wont do anything I replaced battery starter cable and ends still nothing could this deal with alternator
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Thursday, December 31st, 2020 AT 8:33 AM (Merged)
Tiny
MHPAUTOS
  • MECHANIC
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Do you have dash lights with ignition on? check for power at the starter main cable at the starter motor and 12V at the small solenoid terminal on the starter with the key on crank, start here. 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.
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Thursday, December 31st, 2020 AT 8:33 AM (Merged)
Tiny
ELSEYK3
  • MEMBER
  • 5 POSTS
I cant get power from ignition switch too starter I can cross terminals too crank starter please help ive missed 4days at work
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Thursday, December 31st, 2020 AT 8:33 AM (Merged)
Tiny
MHPAUTOS
  • MECHANIC
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Starter relay or transmission isolator switch sounds like the most obvious cause, check the relay first see pic for location.
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Thursday, December 31st, 2020 AT 8:33 AM (Merged)
Tiny
ELSEYK3
  • MEMBER
  • 5 POSTS
Replaced1battery, cables2 starter3 30amp starter relay key turns no power anywhere
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Thursday, December 31st, 2020 AT 8:33 AM (Merged)
Tiny
ELSEYK3
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Help my job on the line
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Thursday, December 31st, 2020 AT 8:33 AM (Merged)
Tiny
MHPAUTOS
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Have you checked that the ignition switch is actually working? It may be that the switch is faulty.
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Thursday, December 31st, 2020 AT 8:33 AM (Merged)
Tiny
ELSEYK3
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How do I check switch
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Thursday, December 31st, 2020 AT 8:33 AM (Merged)
Tiny
MHPAUTOS
  • MECHANIC
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Check terminals on back of switch, one will be power in one will be ignition out on first click, and power out on crank.
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Thursday, December 31st, 2020 AT 8:34 AM (Merged)
Tiny
EHUNKIN
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  • 2007 FORD EXPLORER
  • 4.6L
  • V8
  • 4WD
  • AUTOMATIC
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Truck wouldn't start in the morning, battery was dead (clicking noise while key was turned), replaced battery and tries to start. Turned over and fired up but died immediately. Was suggested to replace alternator, once this was done I again tried to start the truck. And again it turned over fired up and immediately died.
The onboard system say to "check charging system". I was told by my "mechanic" friend that it's most likely either the fuel pump or the starter. I'm not sure which I should try next?

FYI: I have checked all fuses and the fuel pump reset switch, and all seem to be operating.
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Thursday, December 31st, 2020 AT 8:34 AM (Merged)
Tiny
JACOBANDNICKOLAS
  • MECHANIC
  • 108,170 POSTS
First, if the battery is fully charged, a bad alt will not cause it to shut down until the battery runs dead. As far as the starter, if it is turning the engine over and starting it, then chances are it is fine.

As far as the alt issue, it should be addressed, but I don't think that is the problem here unless the battery is really weak. So, I need you to start by checking fuel pump pressure to see if it is within the manufacturer's specs. Do that and let me know what you find. If you need directions, go to the home page under "Repair and Service" section. There is a video and directions for this process.
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Thursday, December 31st, 2020 AT 8:34 AM (Merged)
Tiny
JOLONG777
  • MEMBER
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  • 2007 FORD EXPLORER
  • 6 CYL
  • RWD
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  • 145,000 MILES
The battery is brand new and alternator is good, but it does not turn on sometimes. It could be right after driving it. It does not want to turn over as if it is dead. No noise accept click when turning key. I really believe it has to do with the alarm or the button. When I get in the truck and click the open button on the keyless remote a couple times then the truck sometimes just starts right up. Sometimes I get in truck lock it with keyless remote than unlock two times then I am able to start it. What is this and what can I do to fix? Maybe disable all cables dealing with alarm?
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Thursday, December 31st, 2020 AT 8:34 AM (Merged)
Tiny
JOHNNYT73
  • MECHANIC
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It sounds as if the battery cables themselves have a poor connection, or even more likely the starter is beginning to fail. The next time it "clicks" you can try tapping the starter with a mallet or hammer and see if starts up. The "click" is going to be the starter solenoid plunger pushing out the starter gear to engage with the flywheel but the starter motor is not turning, or getting enough volts/amps to turn it.
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Thursday, December 31st, 2020 AT 8:34 AM (Merged)
Tiny
SOKRAT GEGA
  • MEMBER
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Hi,
maybe the problem is starter or ignition key check key terminal fifty when turn key to start position. Is voltage 12.6 volts? If not the problem is ignition key. If you have voltage in this terminal the problem is starter. You can repair just to change brushes.
Sorry for my bad english.
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Thursday, December 31st, 2020 AT 8:34 AM (Merged)
Tiny
KEN L
  • MASTER CERTIFIED MECHANIC
  • 42,878 POSTS
Great suggestions guys,

I have included a guide to check the starter, also when this happens is the alarm system light flashing?

Here are some guide to help.

https://www.2carpros.com/articles/how-to-replace-a-starter-motor

and

https://www.2carpros.com/articles/how-to-reset-a-security-system

Please let us know happens so it will help others.

Best, Ken

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Thursday, December 31st, 2020 AT 8:34 AM (Merged)
Tiny
JENNSAM00
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  • 3 POSTS
  • 2006 FORD EXPLORER
  • 4.0L
  • 6 CYL
  • 2WD
  • AUTOMATIC
  • 198,000 MILES
When I put my key in, all my lights and chimes come on, I turn the key and nothing does not even try to turn over. All dash lights and inside lights work. Got a jump and it did not change. Does say check charging system. Prior to it not starting, it would take a little bit to get it to turn over and it does idle rough when it's first started or when the A/C is on. Also when I get low on gas it chokes out, tries to shut off and loses power when I push in the gas. Can someone help me? I am thinking the low gas issue is a clogged fuel filter, but for my truck to have power but not turn over? I have no idea!
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Thursday, December 31st, 2020 AT 8:34 AM (Merged)
Tiny
VSSOUTLET
  • MEMBER
  • 51 POSTS
The first part sounds like it could be a bad alternator and/or battery. Cars do all kinds of dodgy things when things are not getting powered. See if you can have your battery and alternator tested.
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Thursday, December 31st, 2020 AT 8:34 AM (Merged)

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