no starter operation engine not cranking?

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).

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.

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

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.

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

Sure but when my camera is too close to it, it becomes very blurry...

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.

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?

Did you check to make sure the battery is good?

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 !

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.

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.

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

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.

once again, does it start when you cross it??

Roy

Turn over but will not start

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

Thanks

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.

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.

I have a 2002 Ford Explorer, I have a starting problem, yesterday it was fine, today I went out and it won't turn over, battery is new, it makes no sounds when the key is turned to start position. There was no wrning at all, never had a problem with it before.

How bright are the head lights? Do they go out or dim when you try to crank the engine? How "new" is the battery? A day old? Week old? Six months?

The only lights that dim are the dash idiot lights, the battery is 3 months old, my son came over and jumped the starter with the key on and it turned over but didn't fire. COuld it have anything to do with the anti thief system? I;m lost.

If it cranked when the starter was jumped, you know the battery, cables, and connections are okay. Since it didn't start, we know there's two problems that are related. The starter circuit and the Engine Computer circuit are dead. Check the fuses under the hood and inside the truck. I don't think the anti-theft system is the problem but I'm not familiar how that system works. You don't hear of Ford having much trouble with them. GM systems are real effective at keeping owners out of their vehicles so we read about those a lot.

Ok thanks, I have someone coming that will check the fuses, I'm not able to do it. It will be tomorrow before he gets heres, the one person that could help me is my son who is in Iraq till next March, he;s the one that has done all the maintains on it. I;ll let you know about the fuses. Thank you for all your help

Well he put a code reader on it and nothing showed up still the same problem, I desperate so I've tried everones suggestions, I was told to disconnect the battery for and hour, reconnect then wait a half hour before trying, they say there is a reset for the security system under the dash but we can't find it. So if you have any suggestions it would be great.

We just bought my parents explorer after it has sat for several years, it runs great when it is running, but in the mornings after sitting all night, it won't start. It isn't hte battery because everything turns on, but the motor won't turn over, it just clicks. Once it is started, if it is, it runs find off and on during the day. just doesn't run after sitting all night for some reason?

The clicking indicates a weak battery. Make sure the battery terminals are both clean and tight. If they are, you need to have the battery load tested. If it checks out fine, let me know and I explaine how to check for a constant draw on the battery. Also, while having the battery tested, ask them to test the alternator. Most parts stores will do both for free.

Let me know what you find.
Joe

Sorry to leave you hanging. Have you figured it out yet? If the starter relay isn't clicking, you might try bypassing it. I can't find a picture of it so I'm not sure what they used in 2002.

Thanks for your help, I took it to a dealer and it was the sucurelock system, the transcever went out so it didn't recognize the key so when I turned the key it shut off power to the fuel pump and starter.
Thanks again Ed

Happy to hear it's solved.

Hello,

two weeks ago, on a cold, sub-zero weather day, I was driving around all day running errands without issues. Got to my fourth or fifth stop of the day, later afternoon, go inside store, come out ten to fifteen minutes later, and car will not start. It has power, it plugs, it wants to start, but will not start. Dad comes out, jump starts me without issue. Go to his house, leave three hours later, no issues. Take my car into shop next morning.

They test my battery. Per their notes, "passed voltage, CAA capacity, and temperature tests." They tell me battery is good. End up replacing spark plugs because they are pretty old and rough. Wiring to plugs is fine.

Pick up car, and take it on my way. And seemed to be running fine.

This past Friday, mid to upper twenties in temperature, driving around in the morning and early afternoon running errands. Fourth or fifth stop, go to grocery store, come back out ten minutes later, car will not start. Same thing, has power, plugs, but will not start. Get a jump from a nice stranger, fires up, no problem. Drive home.

Started yesterday and drove no problem, but did not take any risks going anywhere. Taking it first thing in the morning.

Theories?

I would suspect the battery or the connections myself.
Hard to say which. If the battery is over four years old I would replace it, especially when it has gotten that low twice, that really takes them out. Clean the connections and check them for corrosion in the cables. Take it to a different place and have them test it while it is running, preferably on a cold day like it gives troubles on. That might make the issue show up.

went to go start car this am after a recient snow storm. Electrical comes on strong but when I go to turn the key I get a machine gun clicking noise and it will not start. I suspect it is the starter? can they freeze? should I replace? any quick solutions like taping on it, etc? Thanks

It sounds like the starter. Try tapping on it. If that works, then you know it is the problem. If it doesn't, remove the starter and have it bench tested at a parts store. Most will do it for free.

Let me know what you find or if you have other questions.

Joe

Electrical problem
2002 Ford Explorer 4 cyl Four Wheel Drive Automatic

brand new battery and engine will not turn over without being jumped. It is like there is just not quite enough power to get the engine to turn over.

I need you to check for proper grounds. Check the grounds on the engine block and make sure the battery terminals are clean, tight and the cables are in good condition.

Let me know what you find.

i went to start the car this morning and it started fine, went to a store came back out and started fine but when i went to my next appointment came back out and the car did not start. put the key in turned it and it engaged the started but the everything went crazy. locks, stereo. then nothing. hooked it up to another car to try and jump it but it seems that there was only enough power to engage the starter. battery is the original so i think it might be that or the cables or possibly the alternator, but not sure. the truck just had a tune up about 5000 miles ago and the transmission rebuilt 3000 miles ago this is the first time anything has gone wrong with the engine/electrical. itf you can help that would be great.

shaun

If the original battery is in the car, I would start there by having it checked. Make sure it is fully charged and have it load tested at a parts store. Most don't charge for the test.

Let me know what you find.
Joe

My son took the dash apart to fix the heater problem he was having. It blows air but no heat. He has the dash back together correctly and now it will not start, it doesn't even make a licking noise. What could possibly be wrong? He is desperate and has no money to take it anywhere.