Hi folks! ...A newbee here. Info on this site has been super helpful in the past. I'm hoping that trend continues...

Few days ago parked my 97 Explr (6 cyl, 2wd) in car porch, today won't start. At the begining, engine cranked, horn, lights, radio, etc. worked properly. battery fine. Now (lights, etc do not function) and doesn't do anything when turn switch on. starter relay functions when tested.

Any ideas for me to try before I have the beast towed to the repair shop?

 

clean the battery connections and maybe try jumping it. if there isn't enough battery power it won't start.. and now that the battery's totaly dead you have a nice lawn ornament on your hands

 

...here is another thought, check all your fuses at the fuse panel inside the passenger compartment of the vehicle and at the power distribution box under the hood in the engine compartment. Could have one of the maxi-fuses gone bad in the power distribution box.

Casey

 

Welcome to FTE . From the way I understand your post, I assume that it once ran, that you parked it, and then you were greeted with cranking but no starting. Did you proceed to run the battery down? If so, hook it up to a charger and charge it. Since all gas engines need fuel, spark, and compression to run (and I'm sure you have compression), begin with the basics by checking for spark and fuel pressure on the fuel rail. You need a fuel pressure gage to determine if there is fuel pressure, but I've used a regular tire pressure gage to get a "gut" feel for fuel pressure.

I had this problem on a Ranger; in the end it turned out to be the EEC relay which caused a no spark condition. If you have no fuel pressure, consider the fuel pump relay or associated fuses in your diagnostic. Let us know what you find.

 

Once you get the battery back to life, when you turn the key to the on position, you should hear the fuel pump run for a few seconds. If you don't hear this, then your problem is fuel related which could be as simple as the fuel relay or as involved as the fuel pump. Let us know what you find out.

 

Hi guys!
Can not check for fuel, spark, or compression. Cann't get it to crank now. Tried with a new battery, still doesn't do anything when you turn the key to the on position. It's like it has no battery at all, (no lights, horn, panel instrumet lights or anything else). And, it all began with the engine cranking but not starting.

Thanks for your replies. They are deeply appreciated!

 

Thoroughly check all your battery connections. Make sure there isn't corresion inside of the cables. Also make sure the ground wire is well grounded. Could also be an ignition switch problem, but I'd start with the cables.

 

Haven't heard if you checked the fuses in the power distribution box...on my 96 explorer v8 it is located inside the engine compartment on the driver's side next to the firewall.

Inside the power distribution box is a bunch of serious looking fuses and relays. The high current fuses protect your vehicle's main electrical system from overloading. Maybe the cranking you did to get your truck to start overloaded a circuit and blew the fuse in the power distribution box.

On my vehicle there is a starter relay between the battery and the power distribution box. Looks like if this relay goes then there is no power to anything in the vehicle. Something to look at...

Also inside the power distribution box are fuses or relays for the ignition, IP fuse panel, fuel pump, wipers, door locks, airbag, horn...and a lot of other stuff.

Why not just look at some of the fuses or use a tester to see if you have power at the power distribution box.

Couple of warnings listed in my manual...disconnect the battery when servicing the fuses...replace cover to distribution box before reconnecting the battery...and if replacing a fuse use one with the specified amperage rating. Check your manual, it should have good details on the location of each fuse and relay in the power distribution box and how to check and replace each item.

 

For all of you out there like me after 35 years of fixing cars there is allways a lesson to learn. My daughters Explorer wouldn't start and I naturally thought the starter was bad. I forgot to take the battery cable off and got a little spark while taking the starter off.
So I went to take off the battery cable off and couldn't believe it. The cable was a little loose so I tightened it and just for kicks tried to turn it over. It worked and turned over. I usually take it off first but forgot. Lesson learned and advise to all. Check battery cables first when your Explorer won't start and clicks at the relay switch. Never to old to learn a simple lesson again and again no matter how much you think you know.