92 Ford Explorer Wont Start

Ok here is the deal, my girlfriend has a 92 explorer, she was driving down the road and a spark plug vibed loose and fell out, the engine then stalled out. After tons of crying on her part, and re-installing the plug i attempted start the engine and nothing. When u initially turn the key to accessory everything works fine, radio, AC Blower, gauges all come up.. When u turn the key to start, the entire electrical system dies, the only thing you hear is the sound of the ignition relay click. Ive replaced the battery, had the starter tested, and disconnected the coil pack all with same results. Looking for any advice on where to check, it appear to have a short some where in the system.

Thanks,

Nate

I'd have to check the circuits at the starter relay. Voltage to the load/switch side of relay is hot all the time. Voltage to the coil side of the relay goes hot with the key in the crank position. Can you turn the crank by hand? Maybe an internal engine issue? Pull plugs then try to crank, maybe hydrostatic lock? Make sure all battery connections are good.

You might also try making sure the gear selector is in Park, and if so, try shifting to neutral. If you are truly hearing the starter relay then this wouldn't be the problem and you'll need to check for voltages as suggested above.

-Rod

Hey thanks for the replys, weather finnaly got better so i could get out to look at it.. Checked the starting system with a multi meter, it all checked out, Removed the starter and tried to hand turn the motor with a large screw drive on the splines and it turned maybe 1/2 a turn then locked up. Im guessing the engine is toast???

Yes, the engine may be siezed. You might try a ratchet and socket on the crankshaft pulley bolt to make sure.

Yea, im guessing it siezed, but ill try that tomorrow, i had the starter off and tried to hand turn it, i got about 1/2 rotation on the fly wheel before it locked up. When i re-installed the motor, the engine tried to start for about 1/2 second then it died. How easy should the engine cycle through will all the plugs removed?

Thanks,
Nate

Did you have all the spark plugs removed when you tried to turn it over? If not, the compression would keep you from rotating it even with a large screwdriver. Try removing all spark plugs and using the socket and preferably a breaker bar to try to turn the engine over as Davescort suggested.

With the starter installed and using the multimeter to check for voltages, what did the system voltage due when you attempted to start the engine? If it didn't drop significantly, the problem is probably not the starter motor "stalling" due to a seized engine. A stalled healthy starter motor will be drawing A LOT of current and will cause the system voltage to drop to probably something around 9 volts or lower. The starter power cable will get warm as well.

-Rod

Ill check it out today, while i had the starter off i checked the voltage on both the starter side and selinoid side. All checked out good, even with key turned into start. I hooked up an ground jumper from the chasis of the starter to the chasis of the vehicel and turned the key. starter spooled up. The back left plug is a complete bitch to remove so i left it in there, might be why the engine was hard to turn over, im gonna do my best to get it out today and see if the starter can spin the engine. Maybe the engine is hydrolocked on that cylinder, its about my only hope left on this piece of $hit... Thanks for your guys help, ill give it one last shot then tell to look for another car lol.

-Nate

If the system voltage is not dropping significantly when the key is in the start position I don't think the issue is a locked motor. Under the load of a starter motor trying to turn over a seized engine, the system voltage would drop considerably. The jumper wire test of the starter motor though is a good test and intrigues me that it worked fine.

It's been A LONG time since I worked on a '92 Explorer so I'm not sure if that spark plug is any easier from the wheel wheel or not. I suspect it is as that might get you below the A/C evaporator core housing.

-Rod