2003 Ford Explorer won't start, just clicks. Our first thought was to test the battery, the alternator, the starter, and the solinoid. Is this a logical sequence to check?

Anon (no miles odometer told)
the starter is dead?
if yes say so clearly,
starter silent, clicks, chatters or is 100% dead. silent.
starter dead has 6 causes (plus Alternator tests too)
engine dead up to 50 (valve springs broken of 24 there?)
step 1 is check fuses
#2 the jumper cable the battery and crank it over?
the new battery is now dead. discharged from excessive cranking,or learn to keep the battery charged until it starts again. once started we do alternator tests, 13v to 15vdc running at lugs of battery.
the engine shut off driving,? on the fly driving alternator bad
or fuses to it blown.
learn to use a voltmeter at the battery cranking
11vdc is par, CRANKING less means battery is weak or bad or simply discharged. a 2man test,1 cranks other measures battery lugs. all 4 lugs tight,and cleaned of rust.
2cables = 4 lugs. to fail.


we use tools and meters and tests to find what is wrong


what engine
4.0 L Cologne SOHC V6
4.6 L Modular 24-valve V8
?>??????/
VIN #8 code ?

cam chain failure?'
scans show cam timing off?

the driving to work stall sure can be the alternator dead
or just 16 year old bad spark plugs?
or 16 year old COP boots bad, sure the are that old
filters bad? clogged.
my guess (never accurate) guessing. is
when driving to work, the GEN/CHARGE/BATTERY
lamp in cluster was glowing and this is why it stalled
then didnt do the jumper cable jump starte
and see OMG all is good but the ALT /gen is dead.
and stalls again in say 1 hours, driving and battery is dead again , wash wear repeat.

test battery with volt meter should have 13 volts. If lessthan 13 volts have alternator tested at local parts store (most do it for free) If battery voltage is ok check cable from battery to starter solinoid . if cable is good check negative battery cable going to body (grounding cable).if all is ok check starter solinoid (you may have to remove starter and take it to your parts store for testing. Most test for free like Autozone. a bad solinoid will do this . I replace the starter and solinoid as a unit it saves a lot of work.if this was helpful please leave me good feedback.

May need this:

Have the battery tested and check the battery positive cable for corrosion. Also have a amperage draw test done on the starter motor, it is one of them. If it just clicks but won't start then the starter is defective in most cases. Have it properly diagnosed by a dealer before any parts are replaced to avoid unnecessary parts replacement

• If it starts with the aid of a jump start and dies as soon as the jumper cables are removed then your battery clearly needs replaced.

• When you put the new battery in you can have someone start the car for you and then you can remove the positive cable off of your battery (while the car is running). If the car stays running turn the defrost on and the headlights and this is called testing the alternator under a load.

• The alternator should support the functions of the car and the car running with no support from the battery. The battery is only for starting the vehicle.

• If during this entire test the car stays running then the alternator is good. If the car dies at all the the alternator is bad and needs replaced.

• If you have any comments please free to leave them here.
• Hope this helps and thank you for using FixYa.

Regards, Tony

sounds like a problem with battery // posible earthing/or charging have battery and altanator checked out could also be problem with starter solinoid if you get it sorted let me know please.

it could very well be the starter solinoid mounted on fender under hood. most fords are setup this way. to test it -- You could use jumper cable to jump the two large studs on the solenoid together, which should make the starter crank the engine, assuming the engine can rotate freely. If jumping the solenoid works, then the solinoid is probably bad. have a good day !!

it may be the solenoid is bad but you can have the starter tested at most auto parts shops

It could be the starter solinoid or the starter, If you can remove starter you can take it to any advance auto parts store and they can check your starter for free,

I’m happy to assist further over the phone at https://www.6ya.com/expert/john_2c7bb9c157d0baa8

I always check remans before they are installed; the Bendix may not be advancing the starter gear or you may have teeth missing from the flywheel. I'd pull the starter and check the condition of the flyhweel.