Hello everyone I have a 01 expedition with a 5.4
I was driving and the front u joints broke I shut the truck off and checked things out. When I tried to restart truck it would not start. So I crossed the solenoid in the engine compartment it fired right up. Took front drive shaft completely out. Now truck will not start at all using the previous method. I do hear the starter click but no turning of the motor

I checked all fuses
I moved all relays around to check those
I checked wires on the starter all connected
I also tried jump starting the battery

Does anyone have any suggestions? I have to get this back on the road it is my only vehicle at the moment. Any suggestion would be great and thank you for taking the time to read my problem.

If any wants to call/text and we can walk through it all its 614-377-1828

 

May or may not help, but give the starter a decent rap with a hammer and see if that at least allows it to start. Sometimes a brush will hang up in the starter or the starter is due for replacement. If that allows it to start consider replacing the starter.

 

Thank you for replying I found a broken wire on starter it will now start with jumping solenoid under hood. Still will not key start.

I added photo of the solenoid under hood so everyone knows what I am talking about (not saying anyone is stupid but to make things clearer)

 

The part in the pix is referred to as a relay. When energized it relays power from the battery to the starter. If you have either, a test lite ,or a DC voltmeter you can confirm if power is getting to that relay. There should be 2 small wires on the relay , one for power to operate it and the other for a ground. When you turn the key to the start position power is supposed to go from the ign switch to the trans range switch (neutral safety sw) then to the relay. If you do have power to one of the small terminals with the key in the start position the relay can be heard to click and should pass power on to the starter. If you do not hear the relay click it is defective. If you don't have power to that small terminal you will need to trace it back to the trans range switch and from there to the ign switch.

 

My problem turned out to be the transmission range sensor. When u joint broke and drive shaft was banging around under there it must have damaged it. I replaced this with a junk yard part and it now starts with key but it will also start in any gear so not sure about that but I am back on road for the moment. I had trouble pulling it off and putting the new one on is there a easy way to change them without damaging it? I'm sure the one I pulled is also damaged from my own hand but it was cheap and I wanted to make sure of it before I spent bigger money on a new one

 

Be careful when you choose range sensors. They have built in resistances and can cause all kinds of problems if the incorrect one is used. There is a tool to set them, but you can adjust the position so it starts in only park and neutral.

 

I know to look for the same transmission and such. Is there a easy way to take them off without special tools?