Hard start, 95 Explorer

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Dec 16, 2003 | 08:11 AM

Striperfever

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From: Ocean City NJ

Hard start, 95 Explorer

Hi all

Well where to begin?

Last January my Explorer, now my brothers developed a intermitent hard start after the vehicle sits over night. In the warmer months here in NJ the problem only happens once a week. But in the colder months it's much worse! It takes 3-4 cranks of the key to start the engine, where in the summer it would take a couple cranks. The problem seems much more noticable in the winter. Starter cranks but engine will not start right up. Just takes a few tries. Btw, the problem just came out of no where one day, it wasnt like it slowly began.

Ive gone over many many things and have replaced many, many things with out a cure. Here is a list of things ive checked and fixed. Ive spent hours in research and just checking out anything that could cause this.

Battery is fairly new, Alt is also fairly new. New IAC, new MAF, fairly new plugs and wires. Battery cables seem to be in good shape. Ive also replaced the FPR and Fuel pump as well as the relay. I cant think of anything else at the moment.

The problem bugged the hell out of me and is now bugging the hell out of my bro. Ive even had a trusted shop look for the problem but came up empty. No check engine light and as of this moment there are no codes that I know of.

If anyone could lead me to the fix, id be in your debt forever.

Thanks

DonM

Dec 16, 2003 | 10:09 AM

87 XLT

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From: SoCal

If it starts normally when it's warmed up I would try removing the connector from the coolant temp sensor before the next cold start. It might be stuck in the lean/warm engine mode.

Dec 16, 2003 | 08:13 PM

Striperfever

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From: Ocean City NJ

Hey thanks for the reply. I actually put a new Coolent temp sensor in back in the summer. Just forgot to mention that in my first post, sorry.

I was told that I should have changed out the T-stat as well, being that the coolent needed changing at the time.

After the engine warms up, my temp guage stays near the lower level of the normal zone. Someone told me it should be in the middle, but im not sure if that is a good or bad thing?

I dont see any other problems, truck runs good after it starts.

Dec 16, 2003 | 11:32 PM

87 XLT

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From: SoCal

The coolant temp sensor tells the computer if the engine is warm or cold. It's the electronic equal to a choke on a truck with a carb. Is this what you changed?? Or did you change the temp gauge sending unit?
The low reading on your temp gauge has nothing to do with cold starts, but if the engine isnt getting warm enough to go into closed loop it will be running rich all the time. If in doubt, change the T-stat.

Dec 17, 2003 | 12:13 AM

Striperfever

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From: Ocean City NJ

The part that I replaced was the Coolent Temp sender.

BTw, I was going threw some reciepts last night and forgot that when I had the truck in for a tune-up back in Aug of 2002 that they replaced the T-stat, so that should be fine. I also found out that a temp guage reading low in the normal range is normal.

Dec 17, 2003 | 12:17 AM

Striperfever

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From: Ocean City NJ

Quote:

Originally posted by 87 XLT
If it starts normally when it's warmed up I would try removing the connector from the coolant temp sensor before the next cold start. It might be stuck in the lean/warm engine mode.

I just want to make sure we are talking about the same thing here? You say Coolant Temp Sensor, which is the same as the Coolant Temp Sender, correct?

If so, I should take the connector off before I start it and then what? Will this change the reading or somthing?

Thanks

DonM

Dec 17, 2003 | 12:43 AM

87 XLT

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From: SoCal

If you remove the connector from the coolant temp sensor/CTS & it fires right up the CTS needs to be replaced. I dont have a wiring diagram for a 95, but on my 87 the CTS has two wires attached to it, one is light green with yellow stripe the other is black with white stripe. Might be the same on yours.