Thread: Please help. 2000 explorer wont start it doesnt do anything when i turn the key.

So this is for my DD. It is a 2000 ford explorer, 4.0, automatic. So last week this truck randomly would not start on me. No start no crank no clicking absolouly no noise. The weird thing is that everything in the car worked just fine head lights radio everything worked normal. So I went ahead and tried to jump it and still nothing. I even let it charge for a long time but no succes. I tested all the normal stuff battery, altentor, starter and starter solinoid (connected to starter). Everything was in great shape. So after doing a bunch of research I found that the starter relays somtimes freeze up in the power fuse box. So I banged them up a little bit with a screwdriver and what do you know the truck started right up. It drove fine and started up great for the last week and out of no where it stops starting again. Luckily in my drive way again. I tried the stupid banging the fuses again but of course that didn't work for the second time. so I went and bought a new starter relay from ford. I swaped it out thinking it was going to start right up but that didn't work either. So now I am really confused to what this problem can be. Has anyone had this same experience? Any help would be much appreciated. PS. Thanks for reading this long story lol. And I know about the search button. Thanks in advance

If it has an alarm id start by messing with that. Ive run into alarm isues a few times.

It doesn't have the key pad alarm on the door if that is what your refering too. Thanks for the quick reply

Aftermarket alarm? Keyless entry?

This might help a little bit

Everything you wanted to know about PATS. - Ford Explorer Ranger Enthusiasts "Serious Explorations"®

This truck is compltly stock no mods at all. I don't touch my DD's for this specific reason to avoid these problems.

auto? manual? can it be the neutral safety switch?

Originally Posted by TheTequilaWorms

auto? manual? can it be the neutral safety switch?

This is what I was thinking. Sometimes they go bad and even if your pressing the clutch in it won't turn whatsoever. But all the acc. will work.

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its funny that in most "help" threads they always mention the search bar so they don't get bitched at.

How many miles are on it might not hurt to get the starter bench tested

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if its an auto try putting it in neutral as well as park. safety switch could be going out on the shifter.

This happened to my ex a while back. It wouldnt turn over and wouldnt even make that initial buzzing noise from the fuel pump engaging. Basically the fuel pump bit the dust and i guess maybe because of that it wont allow your engine to turn over because of lack of fuel. I might also start with starter. Could be a solinoid. Hope that helps.

its an auto. I already got the starter bench tested at two diffrenent places just to make sure. It is the original but its in great condition. 174k on the explorer. 111k on the motor. some friends and I put this motor in last year. I am going to try starting it in neutral. I will post up with the verdict. Fingers Crossed. Thanks for all the feedback

@ kyle. I replaced two fuel pumps in my ranger and its acting quite diffrent but hey we will find out

Your engine will still turn over with a bad pump. Do you live next to a lake or brushy area? We have had problems at the shop where rats will crawl into the engine bay at night when its cold out, and eat the wiring. Seems strange, but look for chewed wired ans rat shit, because it sounds like a short somewhere..

Welp the neutral start failed. Ill check for rats that can damm well be a possibility my neighblors have all kinds of fruit trees and I have seen a bunch of those lil bastards.

Welp this can be a good excuse to get the ranger back on the road hahaha

Any other sugestions? No luck with this problem all day.

I know I already suggested the fuel pump. But it could be the fuel pump relay. Explorers and rangers are notorious for fuel pump related issues. Relay switch, wiring, etc.

Starter solinoid? Ignition fuse?

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If I can't find the problem tomorrow I'm just going to start replacing everything. Ill let you guys know what it is. Please feelo free to give suggestions.....

Did you check the relay? i would start with the nss. with the key on hit 12v to the solenoid and see if it will fire up. that is how i start my truck i have a pats computer with no pats.

Yes I changed the relay. What's the nss?

on fords they have accident saftey shutoff switches and those tend do do some wird stuff like that there usually in the back by the spare or around that area, and like shane1617 said try jumping the trucks solenoid

N.S.S neutral safety switch

Originally Posted by tacoboy88

on fords they have accident saftey shutoff switches and those tend do do some wird stuff like that there usually in the back by the spare or around that area, and like shane1617 said try jumping the trucks solenoid

those shut off the fuel pump, its an interia switch. it will still crank even if its been triggered.

Right on thanks guys ill check that out tomorrow.

Step one, put a voltmeter on the wire that feeds the starter solenoid and see if you get 12v when the key is turned to start.

If not, your problem lies somewhere between your key and relay.

Check voltage readings between those two and see if you get power at the relay, if you don't, you need to see if your ignition switch is going out.

A fuel pump will still turn on if your engine doesn't, if you don't hear your fuel pump turn on, you need to rule out whether your ignition switch took a crap, or the PATS system interrupted the controls.


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Yep, my money is on the ignition switch, a shorted wire, or a main fuse/relay blowing.