2000 Exp. won't crank

We've replaced the starter (it's been grinding every once in a while for a year), replaced the ignition switch, but it still won't crank. Once in a while while working on it, we turn the key and it actually starts, but 90 percent of the time we just get clicks from the relay near the fuse box (under the dash). We can start it by jumping the starter or by jumping the starter relay. It's not the battery. We checked to see if it will start in other gears, nope. Once it's started we can drive it just fine. We're running out of things to try.

I would greatly appreciate any other ideas:screwy:

Please tell me there's another relay we need to check:grinno:

Cindy T

still not fixed.

No one has any ideas??

Cindy T

have you replaced the relay, if it starts when you jump it chances are that its the relay.how about your battery and starter terminals are they clean, remember that although the terminals might look clean corrosion could have built up on the inside of the cables, check for this by cutting the cable insulation and opening it up a bit.

The starter motor relay is under the hood to the rear on the passenger side. It may be located under a plastic cover that hides it. If it id just clicking, I agree with the relay being the problem. Good luck and let us know outcome.

Thanks guys!!

I haven't replaced the relay. I was under the impression that since we can start the truck by jumping the relay, that the relay is ok.

I did have some corrosion on the terminals, cleaned them, but it is conceivable that there could be corrosion in the cables as well.

I'll check for corrosion in the cables tonight.

Thanks again and I'll let you know how it goes.

Cindy T