Notices
Explorer, Sport Trac, Mountaineer & Aviator 1991-1994, 1995-2001, 2002-2005, 2006-2010 Ford Explorer

97 explorer 4.0 ohv hard start

Thread Tools
 
Search this Thread
 
Old Dec 3, 2013 | 08:11 PM
  #1  
spenfren85's Avatar
spenfren85
Thread Starter
|
New User
Joined: Dec 2013
Posts: 7
Likes: 0
97 explorer 4.0 ohv hard start

I'm working on a 1997 4.0 ohv and it has a hard start condition on first start up. any after that it will just be a crank no start condition unless you hold the gas pedal to the floor. Replaced the camshaft actuator, plenum gaskets, coolant temp sender and thermostat, fuel pressure is normal. Any advice is welcome
 
Reply
Old Dec 3, 2013 | 10:23 PM
  #2  
shorod's Avatar
shorod
Logistics Pro
15 Year Member
Photogenic
Loved
Community Favorite
Joined: Jun 2009
Posts: 4,817
Likes: 83
From: Cedar Rapids, IA
Since holding the accelerator to the floor will get it to start, that suggests that you have a flooded condition. Holding the throttle wide open (WOT) puts the PCM in "clear flood" mode and shuts off the fuel injectors.

If you changed the coolant temp sender rather than the sensor, you changed the unit that controls the gauge rather than the one the PCM uses to adjust the air/fuel ratio.

-Rod
 
Reply
Old Dec 4, 2013 | 06:18 AM
  #3  
spenfren85's Avatar
spenfren85
Thread Starter
|
New User
Joined: Dec 2013
Posts: 7
Likes: 0
I replaced the sensor that is directly under the throttle body, the connector had 2 wires going to it. I was always told that the sensor for the idiot light was the one wire sensor that wasn't touched
 
Reply
Old Dec 4, 2013 | 07:04 AM
  #4  
shorod's Avatar
shorod
Logistics Pro
15 Year Member
Photogenic
Loved
Community Favorite
Joined: Jun 2009
Posts: 4,817
Likes: 83
From: Cedar Rapids, IA
Both the sender and the sensor are in about the same area, but if you replaced a 2-wire sensor, then it sounds like you got the correct one. That's actually the sensor. The 1-wire device is the sender, and "sender" is what you typed in the original post.

If you haven't already, you might check the coolant level to make sure there isn't an air pocket that settles to the top of the engine, but I'm doubting an air pocket would cause a hard cold start since the sensor would likely be at the same temp as the air and the coolant....

Have you checked to see how quickly the fuel pressure drops once the engine is shut off? Maybe you have an injector or two that is leaking and filling a cylinder with fuel.

-Rod
 
Reply
Old Dec 4, 2013 | 07:11 AM
  #5  
spenfren85's Avatar
spenfren85
Thread Starter
|
New User
Joined: Dec 2013
Posts: 7
Likes: 0
Yesterday after replacing the camshaft actuator I started it and got 4 new trouble codes, misfire cyl 1, misfire cyl 4, o2 b1s2, and an ignition coil code I can't quite remember. Fuel pressure after shut down if I recall dropped pretty quick. I ran that test last week so my memory is a little foggy
 
Reply
Old Dec 4, 2013 | 07:24 AM
  #6  
spenfren85's Avatar
spenfren85
Thread Starter
|
New User
Joined: Dec 2013
Posts: 7
Likes: 0
I remember my fuel pressure results better now, while running it was about 30psi at shut down it would actually jump to 40 and remain there til tester was drained. This test was taken off of service port on the fuel rail
 
Reply
Related Topics
Thread
Thread Starter
Forum
Replies
Last Post
Fordbronco69
1999 - 2003 7.3L Power Stroke Diesel
6
Dec 14, 2008 07:10 PM
jeffceo
3.8 & 4.2L V6
9
Oct 2, 2007 11:02 AM
jkorreck
General Automotive Discussion
6
Mar 19, 2005 03:47 AM
durken
Bronco II
4
Sep 24, 2004 11:41 AM
Onthetreetops
Explorer, Sport Trac, Mountaineer & Aviator
2
Jan 3, 2004 12:45 PM




All times are GMT -5. The time now is 04:51 PM.

story-0
Every 2026 Ford Engine Explained

Here's everything you need to know about every Ford engine available for the 2026 model year.

By Brett Foote | 2026-06-05 12:58:01


VIEW MORE
story-1
10 Ugly Ford Trucks That We Still Kinda Love

Slideshow: 10 ugly Ford trucks that we still kinda love.

By Joe Kucinski | 2026-06-03 09:51:16


VIEW MORE
story-2
10 Things Every Truck Owner NEEDS (2026 Edition)

Slideshow: the best gifts for dads & grads

By Michael S. Palmer | 2026-06-03 15:43:58


VIEW MORE
story-3
Rezvani's Latest Post-Apocalyptic Monster Is a Ford F-150 Raptor Underneath

Slideshow: Called the Fortress, the 850-horsepower pickup combines Raptor underpinnings with military-inspired features, survival equipment, and a starting price of $285,000.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-06-03 11:38:36


VIEW MORE
story-4
Top 10 Most Expensive Ford Trucks Ever Sold on Bring a Trailer

Slideshow: 10 most expensive Ford trucks ever sold on Bring a Trailer.

By Joe Kucinski | 2026-05-27 16:24:34


VIEW MORE
story-5
2027 Ford Super Duty Buyer's Guide (Every Model, Engine, & Package)

Here's everything that has changed for the latest model year.

By Brett Foote | 2026-05-27 16:17:28


VIEW MORE
story-6
Top 10 Ford Truck Tragedies

Slideshow: Top 10 Ford truck tragedies.

By Joe Kucinski | 2026-05-18 19:34:33


VIEW MORE
story-7
AEV FXL Super Duty - the Super Duty Raptor Ford Doesn't Make

And it might be even better than that.

By Brett Foote | 2026-05-18 19:26:42


VIEW MORE
story-8
Lobo Vs Lobo: Proof the F-150 Lobo Should Be Even Lower!

Slideshow: Does lowering an F-150 Lobo RUIN the ride quality?

By Michael S. Palmer | 2026-05-18 19:20:37


VIEW MORE
story-9
Ford's 2001 Explorer Sportsman Concept Looks For a New Home

Slideshow: Ford's bizarre fishing-themed Explorer concept has resurfaced after spending decades largely forgotten.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-05-12 18:07:46


VIEW MORE