How to Replace the Starter in a Ford Explorer

You discover that the engine in your Ford Explorer won't start. According to the battery test, there are no problems there. You just replaced the alternator last year. Therefore, chances are your starter is the problem. While you could have a mechanic replace the starter for you, that can be rather expensive. Instead, follow the steps below to replace the starter in your 2000-2004 Ford Explorer yourself.

Difficulty: Moderately Challenging

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• Torque wrench

Remove the Malfunctioning Starter

1. Park your Ford Explorer on a level surface, activate the emergency brake and place blocks behind the back tires for safety. Disconnect the negative battery cable with a terminal puller. Raise the front end of the car with a jack for easier access to the starter.

2. Grasp the plastic shell of the hard-shell connector at the S-terminal and pull straight off, without pulling the wire. If damage occurs, replace those items as well.

3. Detach all wires connected to the starter, including the ground wire on the starter motor bolt stud, starter cable and the solenoid push-on connector. Some Ford Explorer starter motors have a self-threading bolt holding the starter cable in place.

4. Remove the starter mounting bolts, starting with the upper bolt, and place them in the jar for safe keeping until later. Then remove the malfunctioning starter from the engine.

5. Take your malfunctioning starter to the parts store with you. Aftermarket distributors remanufacture most of the starters they sell, so you can likely obtain a partial credit toward your new starter by exchanging your old one. Be sure that you take care not to damage the starter in transit, because the better condition it is in, the more you can get for it.

6. Purchase a replacement starter that has the same or higher cranking capacity (power rating) as the original starter in your Ford Explorer. Also, match the bolt patterns, drive gears and electrical connections. Your owner's manual may list specifications or the auto parts technician will help you determine them. Download a free owner's manual at Ford Fleet.

Install the New Starter

7. Position the new starter in the correct location and install with the mounting bolts. Torque the mounting bolts between 15 to19 foot pounds (21 to 27 Nm).

8. Push the solenoid connector straight on to the starter and listen for a click to be certain of proper installation.

9. Attach starter cable nut to the B-terminal of the solenoid. Tighten the nut between 80 to 123 inch pounds (9 to 14 Nm). Reconnect the additional starter wiring and replace the red safety cap.

10. Lower the vehicle to the ground and reconnect the negative battery cable. Disconnecting the battery cable may cause the Powertrain Control Module (PCM) to lose information. After testing to make sure the vehicle starts, drive at least ten miles for the PCM to relearn its adaptive strategies.

Tips & Warnings

• If your Ford Explorer is older and/or has high mileage, you should also replace the solenoid.
• Never operate the starter for more than 30 seconds at a time. Allow the starter motor to cool for at least two minutes in between starting attempts to prevent permanent damage.
• The starter replacement process is different for later model Ford Explorer's. Consult your owner's manual or a mechanic for details.

Resources

• Download the owner's manual for your Ford Explorer.