2005 Explorer won't start
 

My wife calls me today from work to tell me her truck won't start. She has a fully loaded 05 Eddie Bauer Explorer V8 4x4. So I first try to start it myself, nothing. Her gauges shows the battery is good (I don't trust the idiot lights)but when you turn the key nothing, no clicking, nothing. All the accessories inside work fine, so I go to the local parts store thinking bad battery. I install the battery and still the same, nothing when you turn the key.

I check all the fuses then crawl under the truck and put a screwdriver across the selonoid(sorry about spelling) and the starter begins to turn. So now I think it is a bad seloniod. Correct me if I am wrong but you have to replace the selonoid and the starter together. My mother in law works at a parts house but can't get the part to Monday because it is a V8. Every place I called doesn't stock it but can get it tomorrow morning but it is going to cost between 150 - 180. But I can wait to Monday and get it from my mother in law for less than 100. What do you guys think? Is there anything else left to check before buying a new starter and selonoid?

starter relay? (you only said you checked fuses)

https://www.fleet.ford.com/maintenan...ls/default.asp
2005 - Ford - Explorer

Page 235 - relay # 12 - ignition/starter relay(50A)

Is there any other way to check if a relay is bad without just trying to replace it?

swapping it with another one that is the exact same and seeing if it works with a different electrical circuit.

I just found a broken wire to the solenoid. Do you guys recommend just crimping on a new end or to solder one on?

I crimped and soldered on a new end, then shrunk wrapped it. Good as new. Thanks for the ideas and help.