'02 Explorer Starting problems
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'02 Explorer Starting problems
Hey everyone, my '02 explorer sport 4.0 is giving me intermittent starting problems that have gotten worse over a 3 month period.
The first symptom I noticed was when I would turn the key to start nothing would happen, no sound no cranking. This would happen randomly and more often when sitting for a while. I could overcome this issue by either repeatedly turning the key back to off and trying again to start, or by holding the key in the start position until it would crank--which could take upto 20 seconds to turn.
More recently I would have less luck getting it to turn and now this week when trying to start I would hear a rapid clicking noise instead of any cranking. That next day I cleaned the battery terminals and the clicking noise stopped. The engine cranks again but struggles to turn over still and will hang. About three tries it would start but now quickly dies after getting some rpms. Stepping would not help keep it going.
As of yesterday I got the engine to stay on but not reliably.
Another thing I notice is that when trying to start, the PCM and Fuel pump relays would get a bit warm.
Any ideas?
The first symptom I noticed was when I would turn the key to start nothing would happen, no sound no cranking. This would happen randomly and more often when sitting for a while. I could overcome this issue by either repeatedly turning the key back to off and trying again to start, or by holding the key in the start position until it would crank--which could take upto 20 seconds to turn.
More recently I would have less luck getting it to turn and now this week when trying to start I would hear a rapid clicking noise instead of any cranking. That next day I cleaned the battery terminals and the clicking noise stopped. The engine cranks again but struggles to turn over still and will hang. About three tries it would start but now quickly dies after getting some rpms. Stepping would not help keep it going.
As of yesterday I got the engine to stay on but not reliably.
Another thing I notice is that when trying to start, the PCM and Fuel pump relays would get a bit warm.
Any ideas?
Logistics Pro
Joined: Jun 2009
Posts: 4,818
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From: Cedar Rapids, IA
For the initial issue where no noises would happen when you turned the key to start, did the bulb test still occur in the instrument cluster when turning the key to Run? When turning the key further to Start most or all of the bulbs should go out. Did that happen? If not, you probably have an issue with the ignition switch (activated by the key cylinder switch).
For the clicking and weak starting, that sounds like an issue with the battery but you'll want to make sure there are not other issues with the charging system as well, such as a current draw that is draining the battery when the truck sits. The relays might just be getting hot because they are trying to support more current to make up for the lack of voltage. I wouldn't get too excited about that until you get the battery/charging system working better.
-Rod
For the clicking and weak starting, that sounds like an issue with the battery but you'll want to make sure there are not other issues with the charging system as well, such as a current draw that is draining the battery when the truck sits. The relays might just be getting hot because they are trying to support more current to make up for the lack of voltage. I wouldn't get too excited about that until you get the battery/charging system working better.
-Rod
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Hey Rod, thanks for the reply. Back when the no noise turn problem would occur I don't remember noticing any changes with instrument lights staying on during run position, But to be honest I wasn't aware of this as a possible a indication of anything. Now that I think about, there was something odd a while back.. A few times when trying to start up, my electrical system would go nuts for a second, the cluster lights would flash while my door locks clicked a couple of times as if being locked/unlocked followed by the truck starting.
All this different behavior from the truck is confusing. This morning the truck got running on first try, but definitely was a weak crank and didn't feel smooth. I'm having the battery and alternator tested today and will report back on it.
All this different behavior from the truck is confusing. This morning the truck got running on first try, but definitely was a weak crank and didn't feel smooth. I'm having the battery and alternator tested today and will report back on it.
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