How to Fix the Ford Explorer Starting System Fault

There’s one thing for sure we want our cars to be able to do beyond simply getting us from A to B and that is simply to start. If you have ever faced an issue whereby you are planning to go somewhere and the car just will not fire up you know it can be an absolute nightmare.

If you have a Ford Explorer and have faced this situation you likely know that along with the frustration of the vehicle not starting you also get a rather redundant notification that there is a Starting System Fault. Well duh, you know there is because the stupid thing won't start.

Well in this post we will take a look at a few of the reasons your Ford Explorer might not be starting and try to give you some simple solutions to the issue along the way.

What Does the Starting System Fault Error Mean?

When we put that key in the ignition and turn it several systems need to work in unison to ensure that the engine starts. It is a complex system which can be easily derailed if just one of those systems decides not to work today.

If one of these systems does indeed decide to let you down then you will receive the Starting System Fault alert on your display screen. It is essentially telling you that something needs repairing, replacing or at least cleaning.

What Could the Problem Be?

Seasoned car owners will probably immediately assess that the issue is related to the car's battery. That is absolutely a possibility but there can also be other factors at play. The battery helps with the spark but it takes fuel and oxygen as well to make an internal combustion engine work.

In the table below we will touch briefly on some issues and some potential easy fixes

Reason for Starting System Fault Possible Solution
Dead or Drained Battery Replace or Recharge the battery
Alternator Problems May need to be replaced or cleaned
Fuel Filter is Clogged Change the Fuel Filter
Loose Cables Tighten the Cables
Spark Plug Issues Tighten, clean or replace spark plugs
Starter Motor Issues Heat the motor

The list of possible faults above are by far the most common but there are other potential issues that might arise. We will focus on these particular issues however as they often have a solution that we can enact ourselves

Dead or Damaged Battery

Despite the fact that car batteries are charged by the alternator this does not mean they are immortal. Periodically you will have to replace this 12V battery because eventually they wear out and no longer function as well as they used to.

Signs of a failing battery in a Ford Explorer might be a rattling noise upon acceleration, poor engine performance and a failure to start up. This could be due to corrosion on the battery contacts or a sign that the battery no longer holds a charge.

We rely on the battery not only to power our radios, air conditioning and other electrics but also to supply the current that causes the spark needed to initiate the burning of fuel. Without the spark you just have oxygen and fuel and that does not catch light on its own.

If the battery connections are dirty or corroded you might be able to clean them and everything will be fine again. You could also recharge the battery with the help of a jumpstart. If these do not work then you ultimately may need to replace the battery.

It is important to note that batteries generally need to be replaced every 3 – 5 years depending on the quality of the unit. Below you will find the basic guide to replacing a car battery.

  • Ensure the Explorer is turned off for at least 15 minutes before attempting the battery change (this ensures that any residual electric charge has dissipated)
  • Using a ratchet socket remove the clamps holding the battery in place
  • Next disconnect the negative and positive cables from their respective terminals with needle nose pliers
  • Once disconnected lift the old battery out of the battery tray and set aside
  • Replace with the new battery making sure the positive and negative terminals are on the same sides as the previous battery was
  • Reconnect the cables to the correct terminals making sure to tighten them well
  • Replace and tighten the clamps to keep the new battery in place

Alternator Issues

If you have a relatively new battery which is clean and not corroded the issue may be with the power supplied to charge it. This comes from the electromagnets found in the alternator. Using the engine's rotation the alternator spins these electromagnets to create an electrical charge. This is transferred to the battery and in turn used to power the Ford Explorers electrics.

If the alternator is not working then the battery will not receive current and then can not be used to power the vehicles electrics. This could be a fault with the alternator or again could be due to dirt or corrosion.

You can clean an alternator to help make it work more efficiently or if it is simply no longer working it can also be replaced. Commonly the alternator belt is at fault in this instance so may need to be replaced.

This is a slightly more complex fix than a battery so you may want to locate a YouTube video to help you locate the alternator in your Ford Explorer and walk you through the replacement process. If you do not feel confident to make this repair you should consult a mechanic.

Clogged Fuel Filter

As mentioned you need spark, oxygen and fuel to create the ignition that an internal combustion engine requires to run. The most important part of course would be the fuel even though it is useless without both of the others.

You need fuel for a Ford Explorer to start, if your tank is empty the car won’t start or if the fuel is not getting to the combustion chambers there will also be a starting fault. The cause of this could be a fuel leak or potentially a clogged fuel filter.

Depending on the manufacturer you may need a new fuel filter between 20,000 to 150,000 miles. Eventually you will need to replace the filter and failing to start can be an indication that the time is right to do so.

When the filter becomes clogged the fuel pressure drops and the gasoline does not reach where it needs to go. You can not clean a fuel filter, your only option is a complete replacement.

This is an intermediate level fix so you may want to try this yourself with the help of an instruction video. There are however risks of making mistakes so if you are unsure seek professional assistance.

Loose Cables

There’s no better feeling than discovering the cause of a starting system fault is no more ominous than a loose cable. The act of driving along can jostle things loose from time to time and you may simply need to grab a pair of needle nose pliers and tighten a connection.

A loose connection can intermittently cause current to not reach where it needs to so can result in a number of issues. So consult your owner's manual to locate all the relevant wires connected to start and check that they are clean and well tightened.

Spark Plugs

As mentioned we need a spark to create the ignition of fuel and oxygen and this comes from the spark plugs. These can often become dirty from oil or even fuel so a simple clean of the plug might be enough to deal with the starting issue.

Sometimes however they do break and burn out and when this happens the engine can not start because there is no igniting spark. This is a relatively simple fix but again if you are not confident to do this leave it to a professional.

The Starter Motor

Starter motors can sometimes be the cause of a starting fault especially if they are old and worn out. A clicking sound accompanying the failed start up attempt may indicate that the starter motor is not working.

This is a more complex fix so you may need help from a mechanic unless you have a certain level of technical skill.

Conclusion

There are a number of components in an engine that can be at fault if your Ford Explorer is not starting. Some of these may be easy to diagnose and fix while others are more complex. It is important to only tackle repairs if you feel confident in them. There is no shame asking a professional to help you.

Link To or Reference This Page

We spend a lot of time collecting, cleaning, merging, and formatting the data that is shown on the site to be as useful to you as possible.

If you found the data or information on this page useful in your research, please use the tool below to properly cite or reference Tow Ratings as the source. We appreciate your support!

  • "How to Fix the Ford Explorer Starting System Fault". Tow Ratings. Accessed on March 29, 2024. http://towratings.net/blog/how-to-fix-the-ford-explorer-starting-system-fault/.

  • "How to Fix the Ford Explorer Starting System Fault". Tow Ratings, http://towratings.net/blog/how-to-fix-the-ford-explorer-starting-system-fault/. Accessed 29 March, 2024

  • How to Fix the Ford Explorer Starting System Fault. Tow Ratings. Retrieved from http://towratings.net/blog/how-to-fix-the-ford-explorer-starting-system-fault/.