99 Expedition starter erratic...
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Cross-Country
Joined: Oct 2003
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99 Expedition starter erratic...
We have been having a cold spell in the Midwest and some days, my '99 Expedition will not start. It simply clicks but the starter will not engage. Battery seems strong based on lights, radio, horn. This happens mostly on very cold days; although on some even colder days it starts right up...it seem to happen at random.
Am I looking at just a bad connection at the solenoid/starter? Bad solenoid? bad starter?
If I need to replace the starter, are there detailed instructions somewhere?
Any help/suggestion would be appreciated.
Am I looking at just a bad connection at the solenoid/starter? Bad solenoid? bad starter?
If I need to replace the starter, are there detailed instructions somewhere?
Any help/suggestion would be appreciated.
Postmaster
Joined: Jan 2009
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From: Chesapeake, Va.
We have been having a cold spell in the Midwest and some days, my '99 Expedition will not start. It simply clicks but the starter will not engage. Battery seems strong based on lights, radio, horn. This happens mostly on very cold days; although on some even colder days it starts right up...it seem to happen at random.
Am I looking at just a bad connection at the solenoid/starter? Bad solenoid? bad starter?
If I need to replace the starter, are there detailed instructions somewhere?
Any help/suggestion would be appreciated.
Am I looking at just a bad connection at the solenoid/starter? Bad solenoid? bad starter?
If I need to replace the starter, are there detailed instructions somewhere?
Any help/suggestion would be appreciated.
I would recommend that you first clean your battery posts and clamps, then procede to check all connections at the starter solenoid and the starter for tightness. You may have a bad starter solenoid/relay which may be producing the clicking that you hear.
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From: Southern Illinois
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Cross-Country
Joined: Oct 2003
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Thanks for all the recommendations. Unfortunately it is freezing here in Kansas City, with 15 inches of snow on the ground and expecting 6 inches more today...all 3 garages full with other cars...so it might have to wait until we get a break on the weather.
On the good news side, I just tried again and it started right up...go figure...
On the good news side, I just tried again and it started right up...go figure...
Fleet Owner
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Did you try jumping it to see if it started?
This same thing happened to me when the cold hit this winter. My first thought was the starter too. But I tried a jump anyway it it spun right over. So I replaced the battery and it's been fine ever since. BTW, the date on the old battery was 12/02 so it was 7 years old and ready for retirement.
This same thing happened to me when the cold hit this winter. My first thought was the starter too. But I tried a jump anyway it it spun right over. So I replaced the battery and it's been fine ever since. BTW, the date on the old battery was 12/02 so it was 7 years old and ready for retirement.
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I agree with "alloro", try jumping it first to see if it is the battery causing the problem. If it starts right up then you need a new battery, but if it doesn’t then you should look at the starter and the solenoid to see their good. Also check the power and ground wires going to the starter. It wouldn’t be a bad idea to clean the battery post and terminals either.
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Cross-Country
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I agree with "alloro", try jumping it first to see if it is the battery causing the problem. If it starts right up then you need a new battery, but if it doesn’t then you should look at the starter and the solenoid to see their good. Also check the power and ground wires going to the starter. It wouldn’t be a bad idea to clean the battery post and terminals either.
In any case, thanks for sll the suggestions; they are indeed appreciated.
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Fleet Owner
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You could very well be correct, and I don't mean to beat a dead horse...but here's a couple of FYIs just to give you some food for thought:
1. New batteries can go bad.
2. It take over 100 amps to spin the starter but less than 25 amps to run all of the exterior lights at the same time. Because of this load difference, a bad battery can run many things and still not spin a starter motor.
1. New batteries can go bad.
2. It take over 100 amps to spin the starter but less than 25 amps to run all of the exterior lights at the same time. Because of this load difference, a bad battery can run many things and still not spin a starter motor.
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99 Expy with starting issues
If that's your original starter, you are way past due! My '98 is on its 3rd starter as of last week. If you do have to change it, access is difficult. Three 13 mm bolts on the, top, side, and bottom of the starter. You can access the top and side bolts through the wheel well with a ratchet and two 12 inch extensions and a flex. Access the bottom bolt from under the truck. Tape your socket / flex to hold in place. Since its a PIA to change, strongly advise a completely new starter in lieu of a rebuilt one. Good luck.
Postmaster
Joined: Jan 2009
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From: Chesapeake, Va.
I agree with "alloro", try jumping it first to see if it is the battery causing the problem. If it starts right up then you need a new battery, but if it doesn’t then you should look at the starter and the solenoid to see their good. Also check the power and ground wires going to the starter. It wouldn’t be a bad idea to clean the battery post and terminals either.
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From: Omaha, Nebraska USA
Another test I have used is when the starter won't turn over tap the starter with a board or something and then see if it will start. If it starts it will tell you it is the starter, but it will not tell you anything about the connections or the solenoid. You will be surprised at how much rust is on the starter. I would not be surprised if it is the connections at the starter as people have already said. I don't know if there is something that can be done to slow the corotion down such as dielectric grease or what ever.
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From: FL
I believe your problem is in the circuit. Mine was similiar but heat related rather than cold. Not sure if your circuit is the same, but, on the 98 Nav 5.4, Mr. Lincoln put a second relay/soleniod on the firewall, by the battery. Even though there is one in the starter.
I found this out by running a jumper wire down to the starter relay/solenoid with an alligator clip, connecting it to the positive point of the relay/solenoid and then touching the top end to the Pos Battery terminal. Presto! starter rotation - now the trick was finding the relay in the middle of the circuit that I described above. Maybe you do not have this, but the 98 and 99 nav are the same, common problem according to the parts store guys.
By the way I taught my wife how to turn on the key, open the hood and crank the starter with the wire while I spent time researching the circuit! Boy was that fun!
Good luck and your on the right track. My starter has 150,000 miles.
I found this out by running a jumper wire down to the starter relay/solenoid with an alligator clip, connecting it to the positive point of the relay/solenoid and then touching the top end to the Pos Battery terminal. Presto! starter rotation - now the trick was finding the relay in the middle of the circuit that I described above. Maybe you do not have this, but the 98 and 99 nav are the same, common problem according to the parts store guys.
By the way I taught my wife how to turn on the key, open the hood and crank the starter with the wire while I spent time researching the circuit! Boy was that fun!
Good luck and your on the right track. My starter has 150,000 miles.
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Joined: Sep 2006
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I have had both happen to me. 1ST time it was a battery, second time it was connections on the selenoid/starter. In fact the wiring on the starter loosened up twice on me. If you get underneath and look at the connections you can try and wiggle them to see if they are loose. Just dont do it with anything metal as I am sure u know they can be live wires. A small piece of wood would work well.
Good luck.
Good luck.
