Starting problem, please help!

[CalTrac777]

Hey everyone, I have a 2001 Sport Trac that has been having problems starting lately. Sometimes it starts fine, but other times it starts and then dies right away (seems like lack of fuel) When I turn the keyswitch off and then on again I don't hear the fuel pump run, but then after a few tries I can hear it run and then it starts fine. Has no problem once it's running but it becomes a crap shoot once I turn it off and try to restart. Seems to be getting worse as the days go by.

Sounds like this is a pretty common problem with Explorers, but I haven't found a thread that showed a detailed fix. Is it the fuel pump itself that's bad, or a relay, or ?? I've had fuel pumps go out before but usually they do just that; go out and don't work anymore. This is the first time having it occur intermittently.

I really don't want to take it in and have it worked on; paying enough other bills already, so thanks in advance for any info you can provide!

Derek

[John_Rock]

I have an intermittent problem with my IAC(Idle Air control) valve that causes it to not start or when it does start it has a low rough idle. When it won't start normally, I have to depress the gas pedal to get it to start.

Once, I get it started and its rough idling, I pop the hood and give the solenoid portion of the IAC valve a good pop with the rubber part of a screw driver I keep in the center console.

[CalTrac777]

Hey John, thanks for the reply.

I've tried depressing the gas to get it to start when it acts up like this, but with no effect. I should mention that sometimes when it fires and dies right away, the effect is immediate; it acts like it's starving for fuel. Would the IAC cause this? I've read other posts talking about IAC problems but they don't sound quite like what I'm experiencing. First time it happened I thought fuel pump, but ususally you notice something while driving as well, not just during start-up.

I'm hearing a hum and a click when I first turn the keyswitch on, does anyone know where the relay is located that runs the pump at this time? Is it attached to the fuel pump? I haven't worked on the truck at all (other than oil changes, lubes and tune-ups of course) so I'm in unfamiliar territory as to where everything else is located.

Thanks again for any info

Derek

[bdmaash]

I'm hearing a hum and a click when I first turn the keyswitch on, does anyone know where the relay is located that runs the pump at this time?
it's in the engine compartment (see owners manual)
the fuse box is at the rear drivers side of the engine compartment(it's called a Battery Junction Box), the relay should be the rearmost one closest to the fender, verify with manual (50b).


I've tried depressing the gas to get it to start when it acts up like this, but with no effect. I should mention that sometimes when it fires and dies right away, the effect is immediate; it acts like it's starving for fuel. Would the IAC cause this?
it may be the IAC, ever change the fuel filter, ever use injector cleaner?

[Squirrelmaster]

In my '95 Explorer I had an issue similar to this, though not nearly as often as you seem to have it, but in my instance it was the fuel cut-off switch under the dash in the passenger side footwell. I guess my switch was just old and faulty, but every once in a while I'd have to either make sure the button was pushed or smack it hard enough to trip it and depress the button again. This is probably not the case for you since it's happening too often, but it may be something to double check. Good luck .

Tom

[tt1080i]

I have the exact problem with my 2003.... looking for a solution.
Thanks

[CalTrac777]

Thanks everyone for the feedback; it turned out to be the fuel pump after all. I checked all the simple stuff first - IAC valve, pump relay, cut-off switch, etc. Additionally, the fuel filter was only a few months old so I ruled that out, and I never use cheap gas (only Chevron or Shell, stuff with detergent additives) and run injector cleaner every so often to boot so I was fairly certain it wasn't that either. Anyway, I pretty much narrowed it down to the fuel pump and was waiting 'til payday to get it in and have it looked at, but it died the day before (damn Murphy anyway). Towed it to the shop and was $800 poorer when all was said and done. Expensive lesson! Guy at Ford said this was a common problem with early Sport Tracs, would've been nice to have this taken care of under a recall! Hope this post helps out someone else with similar problems. Thanks again!