Intermittant No Start

Reply Subscribe

Thread Tools

Search this Thread

Sep 25, 2003 | 01:45 PM

Evicerate

Thread Starter

Freshman User

Joined: Sep 2003

Posts: 34

Likes: 0

Intermittant No Start

I have a '94 Explorer (4.0 pushrod) with 103K on it. It recently developed a problem where when driven for a short time (5 blocks) and then shut off, it would not start up. It would crank, RPM's would only get to about 700 and then it would flutter and die. I ran some FI cleaner through it and this solved the short drive problem.

Now, the problem seems to be that if the gas tank is opened for refueling, theres a chance it wont start. It seems that the engine gets no fuel pressure, and the above mentioned symptoms occur, but letting it sit for an hour solves the prob. I have had the fuel filter replaced, plugs and wires, and had the MAF sensor cleaned. Air filter is new.

Just wondered if anyone had a suggestion as where to start, as I have heard so many possible problems from fuel pump, to fuel pump relay, to fuel pressure regulator, to vacuum tube. If anyone has had a similar problem or can narrow down the problem it would be greatly appreciated.

Sep 25, 2003 | 05:03 PM

mrshorty

Postmaster

Joined: Dec 2001

Posts: 3,742

Likes: 2

From: UT

When the truck won't start, can you hear the fuel pump run? When it won't start is the fuel pump getting power?

Sep 26, 2003 | 09:07 PM

Evicerate

Thread Starter

Freshman User

Joined: Sep 2003

Posts: 34

Likes: 0

Well, to be honest I dont know. I am not very car literate, but I will try and find that out next time it happens to me, which might be tomorrow

Sep 29, 2003 | 04:42 AM

marragtop

Posting Guru

Joined: May 2002

Posts: 2,450

Likes: 2

From: Baltimore

You should hear the pump run for a second or two, when you first turn the key to the 'on' position.

Sep 29, 2003 | 02:15 PM

TBeck2000

Junior User

Joined: Jul 2003

Posts: 76

Likes: 0

The 4.0 has a valve on the engine on the passenger side where you can check fuel pressure. It probably has a cap on it similar to what is on a tire valve stem. If you turn the key to the on position, you could push on the valve and see if gas sprays out. *Be careful* If so, you are getting fuel into the engine. Another way to check that you are getting fuel is to pull a spark plug after trying to start. Fuel should be dripping off of it if the engine isn't firing.

When this happened to my '94 Ranger 4.0, I pulled a spark plug and saw that it was at the end of it's life, but was wet with gas. It was pretty beat up. Six new plugs and fresh plug wires solved the problem entirely. I didn't have any problems from that time until I sold the truck.

BTW, use the platinums that Ford recommends and you should get like 50k out of them (or so).

Tim

Oct 2, 2003 | 03:02 PM

Evicerate

Thread Starter

Freshman User

Joined: Sep 2003

Posts: 34

Likes: 0

I appreciate the help guys. I can hear the pump, but that is when the car's operating normally. Tomorrow when I'm free I'll open the tanka few times to simulate refueling and see what I can hear afterward and try to prompt another no start.

By the way, how do I know if the fuel pump has power other than the noise?

Oct 2, 2003 | 05:16 PM

mrshorty

Postmaster

Joined: Dec 2001

Posts: 3,742

Likes: 2

From: UT

Volt meter or test light. If you don't hear the fuel pump, one of the leads off of the self-test connecter grounds the fuel pump relay. That could be useful in diagnosing this, too.