New to the forum!!
Needing a little assistance with an excursion I recently bought.

It has a 5.4 v8, and won't start. It started fine when I bought it and quit a few days later. It turns on with the key, but when the key is turned to start it doesn't turn over. (Doesn't click, goes completely silent)

I can jump the positive post on the starter and the solenoid attached to the starter and it turns over and starts right up. This leads me to believe the starter itself is okay.

I replaced the fender mounted starter solenoid. Did not fix the problem. I am thinking about replacing the starter itself as they are pretty cheap and come with the solenoid attached but I don't want to just throw parts at it.

Because it worked and quit so suddenly I feel like it is a component issue and not a wiring issue. But I could be completely wrong, and that is why I am here.
Anyone have any ideas?

Any help is much appreciated!!
TIA !!

 

Check the input signal from the ignition switch on/under the steering column. It sends a signal (voltage) to the solenoid on the fender to activate that solenoid. It is the little wire that attaches to the top of the solenoid under a 90* boot. That is, if your solenoid is the same as my V8 7.3L

 

It would actually help if you identified SPECIFICALLY what your truck is. That is has a V8 in it isn't very important at all.

 

From his original post and his profile, it looks to be a '00 EX with the 5.4.

 

There's nothing in his post to indicate the YEAR which is critical. You cannot look up any diagrams without that key piece of information. For example, there are major differences in the starting system between the first and the last Excursions that came off the assembly lines including a major rework of the electrical systems.


I gave up looking at profiles a long time ago as too often they were incomplete or wrong. If a user needing assistance can't think enough ahead to include such relevant information initially, it's usually pretty hard to get them on track for technical troubleshooting.

 

Hey, I value your help around here, that's why I jumped in here to fill in the missing info. I figured that since the OP just signed up this month (and this was his first post here) that his profile info would be up to date too.
You are a sharp guy and obviously know your stuff and like I said, I do value your help to the members here (I have used your info a few times myself! ) but sometimes your posts can come off as being a little harsh. Maybe you don't mean them to read that way, the written word without body language and voice inflections can be taken way different than intended at times. And I totally get it than certain info is required to look up the correct data to troubleshoot a certain issue, that's why I jumped in here to help fill in the blanks, but this guy is new here, and maybe new to online forums and maybe even new-ish to DIY vehicle repairs, so I think maybe a little slack could be cut here......?
I do most of my posting here from work when things are quiet and I have some time to kill, I can totally understand your situation and attitude would be much different ( I know my interactions with others get more crisp the busier I am ) if you are typically more busy and don't have as much free time to poke around as I typically do.
Hopefully the OP will jump back in here and with all the critical info his starting issue can find a resolution.

 

I apologize for not initially posting that information. My excursion is a 2000, with the 5.4l V8. I know better than to take that information for granted. Not new to diy repairs or auto forums, just new to this one. I appreciate everybody jumping into help. I don't think you should have to look at my profile for info when you're already doing me a favor by helping me troubleshoot.

 

I was about to ask about the ignition switch, I'll find out if its in the same place if not I can find it. If I test and find no voltage, the likely culprit would be the ignition switch?


I have replaced the fender mounted solenoid.

 

Are you able to move the shifter? Might be the neutral safety switch down by the transmission

 

Could also be corrosion in the wires, loose connection, varmints chewing on things... but yes, I would be insuring the ignition switch is sending the proper signal to the solenoid on the fender. It sends the "command signal" for the solenoid to activate and route voltage to the starter.

 

Put it in neutral and give it a go. If it starts the two 25mms torx screws on the shifter tube have losses up and not allowing the signal to go where it should.

 

I bought a starter mounted solenoid hoping it would fix the problem. ($35 at napa)
When I installed it the issue persisted with the same click and no crank. I didn't at the time try to jump the posts to start the engine like I have been doing every time I need to start it.
I had a buddy hold the key in the start position while I fiddled with the connections to the starter mounted solenoid. It turned over when I tugged on a wire. I replaced the starter mounted solenoid with the original one and replaced all of the wire I could access without too much trouble.
Returned the solenoid and I am back on the road!

Thank you very much for all the guidance fellas!