Another problem has cropped up with my 93 Explorer. It cranks but will not start.

I pulled the air-intake pipe and shot some starter fluid into the intake manifold just to see if it would run and it does. Sometimes it will run for a couple of minutes before stalling out to a couple of seconds. I haven't had a chance to check any codes because I do not have a reader for this one I only have one for the newer OBD-II set-up.

I got into it yesterday morning and went to start it, it fired up then bobbled a bit and quit. Now it will just crank over and over. I disconected the battery for a bit last night and after re-connecting it the same thing happens.

I will not be able to really get into this thing until this weekend but the wife ain't to happy about having to hand over her Expy for the week.

Does anyone have a clue as to what my problem might be?

I'm thinking that it may be starving for fuel but am not sure what may have just gave up as quick as it did.

 

Sounds like your IAC.

Check this out.

https://www.ford-trucks.com/forums/s...d.php?t=166103

 

If it's an IAC problem you should still be able to start it with a light touch on the throttle. When you turn the key to run do you hear the fuel pump for 2 seconds? If not give the gas tank a good whack with your hand & then turn the key to run. Do you hear the pump now?

 

Where on the 93 Explorer can I find the IAC value?

 

maybe fuel pump

 

IAC valve is attached to the side of the upper intake manifold.

You said you can't pull codes because you don't have a reader. Does this mean you can't find a paper clip or something? All that's required to pull codes on a '93 is any piece of wire. See www.dalidesign.com/hbook/eectest.html They have you use a voltmeter to output the codes, but you can also count the flashes of the check engine light after jumpering STI to SIG RET.

If you do get a code, I half expect it to be a fuel pump circuit code. It sounds like the engine isn't getting fuel. LIke 87XLT asked, do you hear the fuel pump run when you turn the key to on?

 

Thanks for the test tip mrshorty but the test listed in the lnk you provided was for an engine the can start.

From the "Test" section: "NOTE: Vehicle should be fully warmed for all tests."

I can only get mine to turn over. Do you know of any that I could use for a cold engine?

 

You can still run the KOEO test on a cold engine, just note that you will get certain codes (like ECT and ACT out of range)that you'll want to ignore until you can get the engine warmed up. You're really looking for fuel pump or ignition codes that might help deterrmine why it won't start.

 

I'll give it a try, thanks again mrshorty.

 

Mrshorty, I've qot the following codes.

341
542

While doing the test I received 2 faint light flashes followed by the following,
341
542
break
341
542
break
1
break
542
542

I think that the repeated codes are normal but what I don't understand is why the last set flashes the 542 twice but not the 341. Any reason why?

Was this 1 code what is considered a "goose"?

 

Just went through this entire nightmare with my son's 93 Explorer. Changed the ignition module; fuel pump; fuel pressure regulator; plugs........
Alas it was the computer. Bought a rebuilt one, plugged it in and .......you know the rest of the story!

 

I had the same problem (on a '92) after blasting thru a puddle that was a tad deeper than first thought. But after things dried out it fired right up.

 

Sounds like that 542 "fuel pump circuit open connection-Electronic control assembly (ECA) to motor ground" is your problem."
Yours might be different, but the wiring diagram for my 87 Ranger shows this & the negative battery cable are grounded together at the engine block.
Take a look in that area.

 

Nope, not the same 87.

Looked and the negative cable on this 93 Explorer is grounded on the right frame-rail by itself.

I've replaced the relay and have tested the inerta switch, was ok so now I am looking into the wiring. I've heard of others testing the fuel pump by by-passing the factory wiring, can someone please explain to me how this is done so I can tell if I need to replace this before the parts department closes tomorrow? Also, can this be done with the pump still in the vehicle?

 

The fuel pump ground on my '92 is on the passenger fender next to the cruise control servo and the windshield washer reservoir/coolant overflow reservoir.

The code 542 begs me to repeat the question 87XLT asked earlier -- Do you hear the pump running? I expect not. Basically, you need to go through the fuel pump circuit and determine why the pump isn't running. Could be the pump, the ground, or other items in the circuit. I think 542 indicates that the fault is "downstream" of where the computer monitors the fuel pump circuit, but I'm not quite certain precisely where that is.

I forgot to answer your question about why there are 2 sets of 542 code but only one 341 code, what the 1 code is. Basically, you have two types of codes output during the KOEO test. The first set (341, 542 in your case) is the KOEO codes. These are "hard faults" present at the time of the test. Then you get that 1, which is called a separator pulse (there's a similar pulse during the KOER test to cue you to perform the "goose" test). This "separator" pulse separates KOEO codes and continuous memory codes. CM codes represent faults that the computer noticed during normal operation and has stored the code here. In the absence of equivalent KOEO or KOER codes, these often represent intermittant faults, that are that much more difficult to diagnose. The 542 is present in both sets of codes, indicating that the fault is currently present (KOEO code) and was present during a previous attempt to start the engine (CM code).