I have a 1996 Ford Explorer (2WD, 4.0L V-6) with approximately 120K miles. The truck has an intermittent starting problem that my local Ford service centers have not been able to diagnose. When the problem occurs, the engine fails to start, even though the starter engages properly. There seems to be an ignition lockout that is setting and preventing the engine from starting. This problem never occurs when the engine is starting cold. It happens in no predictable manner, and intermittently. When it does happen, the vehicle has been run to operating temperature and has set for two to three hours after shutdown. My only attempt at remedying the problem has been to make certain that the plug wires are making secure contact, and by running the transmission lever back-and-forth several times. This does not provide an immediate fix, but after 30 to 45 minutes, the engine eventually starts. The electronics apparently are resetting.

One Ford service center outfitted the vehicle with a “flight computer” to record the engine profile when the problem showed up. However, they could not let me use the recording device for long enough for the problem to occur, so this was just a waste of time and money.

Has this problem exhibited in other 1996 Explorers? Is there a test sequence that enables diagnosis of the failed component(s)? If not, is there a means of over-riding the starter lockouts so that the vehicle may be reliably started?

Your help will be greatly appreciated.

 

You might have better luck in the Explorer section, unless you've put in a computer chip in the SUV. If you have, who's chip is it and have you tried reseating the connection?