Explorer won't start

60

Asked by Lucas Sep 08, 2018 at 03:09 PM about the 2002 Ford Explorer XLT 4WD

Question type: Maintenance & Repair

My sister drove her car to work parked it and turned it off,
hours later after work she got back into her car went to
start it up, the lights worked, the radio works, the engine
didn't turn over, replaced the starter and starter solenoid
(both 1 piece) with new parts, still didn't turn over, changed
out the starter relay with a new one, still nothing, I got a
check light, checked the starter wires, the bigger wire lit up
constantly while the little wire wouldn't light up, got her to
try turning it on while I was checking the wire and it still
didn't light, so the last thing I can think of checking is the
neutral safety switch but I have no idea how to check that
without just replacing it, any comments or suggestions is
very appreciated!!! Also there isn't any security lights on the
dash showing up if that helps narrow it down.

15 Answers

9,730

Is there current at the starter relay? I think it's fused but not sure usually if the neutral switch goes bad in park it will start in neutral otherwise the switch will have Two large wires on it one should lite with ignition switch or jumper them to see if it starts, I've worked on Fords for a lot 40 years and the neutral switch in not a very common problem did you check the engine ground cable

10 people found this helpful.
60

How would I go about testing the relay? Could I test it with a test light? I'm posting a picture of what I'm pretty sure is the exact diagram the relay has (im not working on the car right now so but I'm pretty sure this is it)

2 people found this helpful.
9,730

Test lite will do just fine. Numbers 30 or 87 one of these ( either) should have current all the time the other goes to the starter solenoid if you touch these together the starter should crank the engine. Numbers 85-86 one of these gets current with the switch held in start the other is a ground. Is this clear or am I confusing you

3 people found this helpful.
60

I think I get what your saying, so when I go back to the car to work on it, I should try putting a wire into 30 and 87 and see if it at least sends power to the starter right? Would that mean it's a bad relay?

1 people found this helpful.
9,730

Right the starter will crank the engine, no not necessarily a bad relay the check for 85-86 checks weather the relay is getting turned on by ignition switch, neutral switch and wiring, you can easily swap relays I think there are a few in that block with the same number

3 people found this helpful.
60

Just replaced the NSS, still nothing, I'm out of ideas. You were right about 30 having constant power but none of the other parts of the relay have power.

60

Also did what you said about the relayed, used a working relay (the blower motor) and all of the relay work, so it couldn't be that I think, could there be a fuse somewhere else in the car that would prevent power from getting to the starter?

1 people found this helpful.
60

Okay so I just bypassed the starter relay by sticking a piece of wire in between the 30 slot and 87 slot, and the engine started crank but it didn't start, I have a feeling there's something stopping the fuel from injecting and therefore stoping the engine from running. What's next to check??

2 people found this helpful.
9,730

I'm thinking about a bad engine control broken wires are unusual these days but if you have the time you may want to pin it out. You're going to need a wiring diagram (public library) then locate the wire numbers on the computer connector one at a time jumper 30 into 85 then check the computer connector wire your test lite should illuminate if both of those are good change computer you will probably have to find someone with a scanner that can program it, depending on accessories. Football/beer time. Let me know how this turns out

2 people found this helpful.
70

So guys I have a 2002 v8 Ford Explorer. I was driving down the highway when suddenly the car dies on the highway I had to pull to the left shoulder lol. But my lights work I had more than 12 volts in the battery so it can’t be a bad alternator or battery because I had plenty of power and it was charging. Here’s the interesting part. It won’t start at all my odometer shows up as blank or dashes where the numbers are supposed to be...someone help me !

7 people found this helpful.
60

2017 explorer similar issues. Starter turns, no lights dim. No check engine light. Turn key let go. StRter runs 15-20 secs. Then stops. Suggestions welcomed. PCM FUSE AND RELAY? CRANKSHAFT POSITION SENSOR? IGNITION SENSOR??

6 people found this helpful.
10

Did anyone ever figure out how to fix it? Having the same problem !

1 people found this helpful.
60

I have a 2015 Explorer that is having issues. I get all kinds of warnings when I try to start it but does not even try to roll over.

6 people found this helpful.

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