I was having problems with my expedition not starting from time to time. I was able to determine it was a bad starter solenoid. I replacfed it on last Thursday and the truck started up just fine, but it just kept on reviving as if I was pressing on the gas. I heard a popping noise and I turned it off. I tried to start it back up and i just heard a noise like a fan blowing. I figured out that I hooked up the solenoid wrong and hooked it up right. Same result, just the noise of a fan blowing. I'm not able to see any fan turning. Any ideas on what I could have done? Did I mess up the starter? Any help would be appreciated.

 

Does it start now?

 

No, it is not starting now. I have lights and all electrical components work.

 

So it does crank..Correct?

 

It's not cranking either. There is just a blowing sound like a fan..

 

Do you have the 'fuse link' lead onto the battery cable connection on the solenoid?

 

I'm not sure what that is, but I have a wire that is a "C" shape with two connections, one for the top and bottom, a wire that comes from the battery and one that I assume goes to the starter, and a little wire that connects to the small post that I think goes to the ignition. Sorry, I don't know much about cars at all. I figured changing the solenoid would be easy enough. Guess I was wrong. Thanks for your help.

 

Can you tell me what wires you hooked up out of order? The large lug connections on the solenoid shouldn't have 'shorted' anything out (although the starter wouldn't have function correctly) and the small connector is for the key function through the trans range sensor and hard to install incorrect..Here a few pictures of the starting and power distribution circuits.. If you have a no crank condition this would be where you need to start.. I can give you some additional pin point tests to perform for power/current starting at the fuse links and out to the power distribution box/fuses ect.. Take a look at the pictured fuse links, they should be close and in between the solenoid and battery.. Check to see if they burned, and give them a pull to see if they 'stretch' indicating a burnt link.. Do you have a 12V test light?

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Thanks for the information. I willcheck it out when I get home. I put the battery wire on the bottom lug and the other wire, I think it goes to the starter or alternator, on the top lug. There was also that wire that had two connections on it that went on both lugs, and the small wire for the ignition. I think the just put the alternator or starter wire on the wrong lug, it should have went on the bottom one with the battery, at least that's how the old one was connected.Everything else was correct. It startedup whenI had it connected that way but it did sound weird as ifI had my foot pressed on the gas pedal revving theengine.I don't have a 12V test light but I will go get one after work.

 

As far as fusible links - look for a wire in the harness (possibly near the solenoid or battery) that has a casing that looks abnormal. It may be wrapped beneath electrical tape or encased in a removable (split on one side and usually BLACK plastic) shroud/casing. This is a common way to keep links from easily being diagnosed (all companies do it). If the wires aren't obviously darkened in color (burnt) then a tester is your last resort if there is an actual problem besides a wire on wrong. Keep in mind though that if you did hook them on wrong you could have just burnt out your new solenoid.