Q: My truck will not start - 2005 Ford Expedition

asked by on October 27, 2016

We had been jumping it off for a couple days and then all of a sudden it wouldn't jump off Tuesday. I bought a brand new battery Wednesday night and installed it in. Truck still will not start.

My car has 197000 miles.
My car has an automatic transmission.

Starter Replacement $169.22 - $1153.49 Get a Quote
Car is not starting Inspection $94.99 - $114.99 Get a Quote

The starter on the truck may have burned out from the repeated jumping of the weak battery. This will cause the voltage to the starter to be low and overheat the starter when you try to turn it over multiple times.

Now that you have a good battery and enough voltage to the starter it should turn. Have the voltage checked at the large terminal of the starter where the large cable from the battery is connected. Then check the small terminal at the starter and turn the ignition to start to see if ignition power is reaching the small terminal of the started.

If you get power to both of these then replace the starter. Sometimes, on these vehicles, the small terminal wire breaks on the starter and needs a replacement wire connection.

To avoid any unnecessary repairs, consider YourMechanic, as one of our mobile technicians can diagnose your no start condition at your home and fix the issue accordingly.

The statements expressed above are only for informational purposes and should be independently verified. Please see our terms of service for more details

Get an instant quote for your car

Our certified mechanics come to you ・Backed by 12-month, 12,000-mile guarantee・Fair and transparent pricing


Experienced Mechanic?

Earn up to $70/hr

What others are asking

What Does a Starter Motor Do?
The starter motor (https://www.yourmechanic.com/article/how-does-a-starter-motor-work) is a 12 volt, permanent magnet DC motor that engages a small drive gear on the starter with a larger ring gear that is attached to the flexplate, or flywheel. The flexplate is bolted to the...
Car making a scraping noise
Hi. First off, a leaking brake line is very unsafe because only half of your brake system is engaging when you use your brakes. From my experience, you have worn out the brakes that only work when you have a...
jumps and surges at 45 and 60 mph
The most likely cause for this is that the transmission torque converter overdrive lock up clutch inside the converter is chattering when it is engaging after about 45 mph. The problem may be with the solenoid that operates it or...
Check gauges light is on and car won't start - 1990 Chevrolet C2500 Suburban
Hello. Most of the time, the symptoms you are describing are caused by the battery failing (https://www.yourmechanic.com/services/battery-replacement). If there is a bad connection at the battery or if the voltage in the battery is low, then this will occur. If...
Gear takes a while to change from reverse to drive
Hello. You don't specify the mileage on your Focus, but the symptoms suggest low internal hydraulic pressure in the transmission (despite the recent fluid and filter change), or a weak forward clutch pack. If you would like to have this...
My Lexus RX300 cannot start. i Noticed the fuel pump is not working. However it works when i connect a different power cable. is i
If the fuel pump powers on with a separate power source, you issue lies in signaling the fuel pump. The fuel pump relay can be at fault. Also other sensors like the crankshaft position sensor. On most vehicles, the engine...
Reading 9 different codes
Hello, and thank you for writing in. With a misfire detected on all cylinders, you need to direct your attention to a component that can cause the entire engine to struggle. Considering you have an EVAP code as well, and...
P0300 Random misfire.
Without seeing the fuel trim readings in the computer to see if the engine is running too lean then it would be a guess that you have a vacuum leak between the mass air sensor and the intake manifold or...
Why won't my car start?
Hi Ester. Thanks for contacting us today. The first step in diagnosing a problem like you've described is typically tracing and verifying electrical connections that engage the starter. This would begin with the car battery, followed by ground wire connections...

Related articles

What Is a Vehicle's Electrical Control Unit?
You’ll You’ll hear the term ECU bandied about in automotive circles, but what does it mean? The most basic definition is “electrical control unit” (ECU) which is a generic term applied to any system that controls a system or subsystem...
2012 Ford F-150 vs. 2012 Chevrolet Silverado: Which One Should I Buy?
When you’re ready to really get some work done, there’s nothing like a full size pickup truck. These trucks are ready to haul a big load and really get in there and get busy. SUVs are great for moving people,...
How to Test a Starter Solenoid
Starter solenoids are attached to the starter. Test the solenoid with jump cables - when the solenoid fails, the car starter needs to be replaced.