Ford Expedition - I think it's my starter???

[gundy89]

Hopefully you guys can help me out here. I have a 1999 Ford Expedition. It won't start. This just happened without any other problems. I've been looking online and I think it's my starter. I'm trying to get better at working on vehicles as I'm not very good right now.

If I turn the key 3/4, All my dash lights light up. Once I turn it over I have nothing and the dash lights goes out. The starter has a faint spinning sound when the key is turned over.

Here's what I've done so far.

- Replaced the starter solenoid. Easy and cheap

- Battery is new in August and has a full charge to it

- Cleaned battery terminals of corrosion (there really wasn't any)

- Checked the Ignition switch fuses (both looked good)

- I read online that there is a neutral switch that senses if the car is in park. It said you could bypass that by putting it in Neutral and applying the brakes while starting. This didn't work.

- Checked the cables to the starter for corrosion. All are tight with no corrosion.

Can you guys think of anything else? Like I said I'm a newbie so I was trying to cover my bases before spending $120 on a new starter. I've read that they're a PIA to replace but not complicated. Thanks for all the help!

[chasineyes]

I believe (someone correct if I"m wrong) that if you have someone turn the key on 3/4 and touch/hold the starter with hand or ear to a screwdriver, you should be able to sense the starter engaging/clicking?

[fishing tech]

When you turn the key to the start position, do you get a single click? if so I would say starter.

Turn the headlights on, turn key to start position, do the headlights dim or do they go out completely. If they dim I would say starter. If they go out completely I would check your power and ground cables, if they don't change you should check the red/blue wire at the solenoid to see if you get power to it with the key in the start position.

Simple checks that should get you to the right repair.

[delcecchi]

Do cars still have a fusible link? Took me three days one time to find a bad one

[EZ17]

Have an assistant hold the key in the start position and reach under and give the starter a firm rap with a hammer..if it starts then you know for sure you have a starter issue...otherwise make sure you have a full 12volts at both the big and little terminals on the starter with the key in the start position using a volt meter or test light..if you do then put a starter in it

[fishfeeder]

the hardest part about replacing the starter is the top bolt that you can barely feel let alone see.

[Jeremy airjer W]

Have an assistant hold the key in the start position and reach under and give the starter a firm rap with a hammer..if it starts then you know for sure you have a starter issue...otherwise make sure you have a full 12volts at both the big and little terminals on the starter with the key in the start position using a volt meter or test light..if you do then put a starter in it

You don't want to do that with newer permanent magnet style starters. You will break the magnets and make the starter useless if it wasn't the problem.

You still can't beat a test light or a volt meter. If there is 12 volts at the large wire on the starter with the key in the crank position and 12 volts at the little wire while the key is in the crank position you need a starter.

[pureinsanity]

I know you said your battery is fine, but have you checked the fluids on the battery? also it might not hurt to have it loaded tested, or completely take out the battery and swap it with another vehicle and see if that helps. Have you tried putting a charger on it when you are starting it?

I know of a couple instances on some cars where the battery didn't have enough juice to start the car because of something related to the computer. Once a new battery was installed it was fine.