I have a 2001 exped. that I bought new, been a great vehicle. Early this past summer though, it began having starting issues. It started on july 4th I was having battery issues at the time, so when it wouldnt start, i knew we could get a boost from someone and we would be on our way. So finally found a guy in an F250 to give us a boost. I could get nothing, no response when turning the key. Seeing he couldnt help me he left. So thinking about this senario I decided the relay wasnt picking up for whatever reason. So I shorted the relay out across the main terminals. She fired right up. Got it home took it the next day had the battery checked and it failed so I had it replaced. This did not cure my problem. From time to time it would fail to start. I would short the relay across the terminals and with the key in the right position it will fire right up and run.
I ended up replaced the relay some time in august. From that time on, never had another issue... until Christmas night. It came back, my wife called me from her moms she said it wouldnt start. I got out my trusty screwdriver and turned on the switch. Shorted the relay out. It started right up. Just to test it I turned it off then tried to restart it. It would not restart, had to short across the relay again. Drove it 5 minutes, turned it off then started it right back up. It started fine, tried this 2 more times started back each time without a problem.
It appears that the relay is not picking up for what ever reason.
What would hold it out?

 

By solenoid, are you talking about the one on the starter motor?

 

sorry i meant the relay mounted on the firewall.

 

Here is a 2 page PDF of the starting circuit. My first guess is that you're having issues with the DTR sensor. Next time it won't start try shifting in and out of park, or try starting it in neutral.

 

Thanks I will try that next time.

 

I dont have the skill set you do to mess with the relay, but your situation sounds like mine. We tried using jumper cables with no luck, so we connected a battery booster directly to terminals in order for it to start.

I'm curious to know what you ended up doing to fix the problem. Instead of driving 1 vehicle between me and my wife, I'm hoping to find a simple fix or atleast find something to get me by for another week.

 

I havent done anything to fix the problem yet. I am waiting to see it happen again and try what alloro suggest.