I have a 2001 sportTrac. The starter solenoid IS NOT on the fender as Advance tells me. There is a solenoid on the starter up underneath the car. Are there two solenoids? I'm not a mechanic but I have changed a starter solenoid on a previous vehicle; it was not this complicated

 

looking at the wiring diagram I have; there is a starter relay in the left rear of the engine compartment and the starter solenoid is on the starter motor.

 

Thank so much for answering. It's the one in the left rear of engine I can not locate. Does it look like a solenoid or is it a little switch?

 

A starter relay will look like this animal. It's about 2" in diameter and 2" tall.

 

start either at the battery + or starter motor. follow the large battery+ cable as it routes from the battery to the relay to the starter.

 

After finally going to a Ford dealer asking for parts, I figured it out. It appears the only starter "solenoid" on this version of Sport Trac is on the starter, which you have to put car on jacks to get to, as it's right next to the oil pan. The "relay" switch (is what I'm calling it) is a fuse type thing in the power junction box. However every auto parts store I went to tried to sell me the fender mounted solenoid, which does not exist for this version of Sport Trac.

 

now you know why the dealer wants your vin every time you enquire for parts. vehicles today are very build specific.

 

Yep...Build specific along with the "Built before, Built after, Built during, Built in between, Built while" and so on.