Help! My 1998 Explorer won't start.

TomTheBomb · 10-27-2008, 06:49 PM

I have a 1998 start ford explorer sport 4.0 sohc and it wont start and my theft light is blinking my fuel pump is working but my engine will not turn over. From what ive gathered it has something to do with my anti theft device is there anyway i can reset this any helpwould be GREAT!!! Thanks All

**BrooklynBay** · 10-27-2008, 06:53 PM

Welcome to this forum! Do you have another key with a chip to try?

TomTheBomb · 10-27-2008, 06:59 PM

yeah and it doesnt work either

**BrooklynBay** · 10-27-2008, 07:01 PM

Did you check the fuses?

TomTheBomb · 10-27-2008, 07:05 PM

and thanks brooklyn its kinda funny i started my suv to go to work yesterday and it died i already know i need a new mass air flow. so it dies on me and i try to restart it but it wont turn the engin over all fuses are goo and i do have a good battery. I got up this morning and pushed the gas peddle to the flor turned the key and it fires up. Not wanting to take a chance i just walked to work my dad comes in to work grabs my keys it fires right up and he drove around and fired it up 5 different times. So i think cool no problem i get home from work a of course same problem

**BrooklynBay** · 10-27-2008, 07:08 PM

Did you try to disable the alarm when it doesn't want to start?

TomTheBomb · 10-27-2008, 07:11 PM

there isnt any alarm on it

TomTheBomb · 10-27-2008, 07:12 PM

at least that i know of i dont have any kind of remote for it

**BrooklynBay** · 10-27-2008, 07:12 PM

Take a look at this thread: http://www.explorerforum.com/forums/...d.php?t=227265

TomTheBomb · 10-27-2008, 07:17 PM

ok ill go try it and see be right back

TomTheBomb · 10-27-2008, 07:24 PM

no dice still nothing im truly stumped

**BrooklynBay** · 10-27-2008, 07:29 PM

I don't know if this will help, but here is another link: http://www.explorerforum.com/forums/...d.php?t=195398. This is # 66 in my list of useful threads.

TomTheBomb · 10-27-2008, 07:32 PM

see i dont have anykind of keyless entry for it so i dont think that is it

**BrooklynBay** · 10-27-2008, 07:42 PM

Try to jump the starter relay on the frame the next time it won't start.

TomTheBomb · 10-27-2008, 07:47 PM

still nothing im really starting to get frustrated its not making any sence

my98nnj · 10-28-2008, 07:14 AM

The starter is probably gone.

marragtop · 10-28-2008, 12:36 PM

To further test, try jumpering directly from the battery to the starter to see if it spins. That way you are bypassing the solenoid and any relays.

TomTheBomb · 10-28-2008, 03:59 PM

well i tried again this morning and it fired right up let it run for 15 minutes and all was well i didnt mant to take it to work until i really find the problem so i went back out about 10 minutes later the S.O.B once again nothing wont turn over it has something to do with the Anti-Theft system the factory installed But Im Truly At A Lose!!!!!!!!

**BrooklynBay** · 10-28-2008, 04:05 PM

I'm wondering if there is an anti theft relay somewhere which is going. Maybe the contacts are borderline, and it only works sometimes. Check Autozone's website. They might have a schematic of the anti theft system.

98WARanger · 10-28-2008, 04:22 PM

I'm not sure about the 98 explorer but my 98 ranger has an anti-theft reset button under the dash above the pedals. It's a black little button try pushing that for 30 seconds and see if that does anything? Good luck. Also try disconnecting the negative battery cable for 30 seconds this resents things quite nicely as well.

10-27-2008, 06:49 PM	#1
TomTheBomb Wannabe Elite Explorer Denver, Colorado 1998 Explorer Sport Join Date: Oct 2008 Posts: 10 Vehicle Specs (Original Poster)	Help! My 1998 Explorer won't start. I have a 1998 start ford explorer sport 4.0 sohc and it wont start and my theft light is blinking my fuel pump is working but my engine will not turn over. From what ive gathered it has something to do with my anti theft device is there anyway i can reset this any helpwould be GREAT!!! Thanks All

10-27-2008, 06:53 PM	#2
BrooklynBay Aerostar Forum Moderator Brooklyn, NY 88 89 93 95 96 Aerostars Join Date: Nov 2005 Posts: 45,672 Vehicle Specs	Welcome to this forum! Do you have another key with a chip to try? __________________ My list of useful threads. My photo gallery. My product reviews. My list of items for sale. Aerostar owners thread. Aerostar parts work in Explorers, Rangers, and Bronco II thread. History of the Aerostar thread. Aerostar Forum. New Members Forum. Ford/Lincoln/Mercury Forum.

10-27-2008, 07:01 PM	#4
BrooklynBay Aerostar Forum Moderator Brooklyn, NY 88 89 93 95 96 Aerostars Join Date: Nov 2005 Posts: 45,672 Vehicle Specs	Did you check the fuses? __________________ My list of useful threads. My photo gallery. My product reviews. My list of items for sale. Aerostar owners thread. Aerostar parts work in Explorers, Rangers, and Bronco II thread. History of the Aerostar thread. Aerostar Forum. New Members Forum. Ford/Lincoln/Mercury Forum.

10-27-2008, 07:08 PM	#6
BrooklynBay Aerostar Forum Moderator Brooklyn, NY 88 89 93 95 96 Aerostars Join Date: Nov 2005 Posts: 45,672 Vehicle Specs	Did you try to disable the alarm when it doesn't want to start? __________________ My list of useful threads. My photo gallery. My product reviews. My list of items for sale. Aerostar owners thread. Aerostar parts work in Explorers, Rangers, and Bronco II thread. History of the Aerostar thread. Aerostar Forum. New Members Forum. Ford/Lincoln/Mercury Forum.

10-27-2008, 07:12 PM	#9
BrooklynBay Aerostar Forum Moderator Brooklyn, NY 88 89 93 95 96 Aerostars Join Date: Nov 2005 Posts: 45,672 Vehicle Specs	Take a look at this thread: http://www.explorerforum.com/forums/...d.php?t=227265 __________________ My list of useful threads. My photo gallery. My product reviews. My list of items for sale. Aerostar owners thread. Aerostar parts work in Explorers, Rangers, and Bronco II thread. History of the Aerostar thread. Aerostar Forum. New Members Forum. Ford/Lincoln/Mercury Forum.

10-27-2008, 06:59 PM	#3
TomTheBomb Wannabe Elite Explorer Denver, Colorado 1998 Explorer Sport Join Date: Oct 2008 Posts: 10 Vehicle Specs (Original Poster)	yeah and it doesnt work either

10-27-2008, 07:05 PM	#5
TomTheBomb Wannabe Elite Explorer Denver, Colorado 1998 Explorer Sport Join Date: Oct 2008 Posts: 10 Vehicle Specs (Original Poster)	and thanks brooklyn its kinda funny i started my suv to go to work yesterday and it died i already know i need a new mass air flow. so it dies on me and i try to restart it but it wont turn the engin over all fuses are goo and i do have a good battery. I got up this morning and pushed the gas peddle to the flor turned the key and it fires up. Not wanting to take a chance i just walked to work my dad comes in to work grabs my keys it fires right up and he drove around and fired it up 5 different times. So i think cool no problem i get home from work a of course same problem

10-27-2008, 07:11 PM	#7
TomTheBomb Wannabe Elite Explorer Denver, Colorado 1998 Explorer Sport Join Date: Oct 2008 Posts: 10 Vehicle Specs (Original Poster)	there isnt any alarm on it

10-27-2008, 07:17 PM	#10
TomTheBomb Wannabe Elite Explorer Denver, Colorado 1998 Explorer Sport Join Date: Oct 2008 Posts: 10 Vehicle Specs (Original Poster)	ok ill go try it and see be right back

10-27-2008, 07:24 PM	#11
TomTheBomb Wannabe Elite Explorer Denver, Colorado 1998 Explorer Sport Join Date: Oct 2008 Posts: 10 Vehicle Specs (Original Poster)	no dice still nothing im truly stumped

10-27-2008, 07:29 PM	#12
BrooklynBay Aerostar Forum Moderator Brooklyn, NY 88 89 93 95 96 Aerostars Join Date: Nov 2005 Posts: 45,672 Vehicle Specs	I don't know if this will help, but here is another link: http://www.explorerforum.com/forums/...d.php?t=195398. This is # 66 in my list of useful threads. __________________ My list of useful threads. My photo gallery. My product reviews. My list of items for sale. Aerostar owners thread. Aerostar parts work in Explorers, Rangers, and Bronco II thread. History of the Aerostar thread. Aerostar Forum. New Members Forum. Ford/Lincoln/Mercury Forum.

10-27-2008, 07:32 PM	#13
TomTheBomb Wannabe Elite Explorer Denver, Colorado 1998 Explorer Sport Join Date: Oct 2008 Posts: 10 Vehicle Specs (Original Poster)	see i dont have anykind of keyless entry for it so i dont think that is it

10-27-2008, 07:42 PM	#14
BrooklynBay Aerostar Forum Moderator Brooklyn, NY 88 89 93 95 96 Aerostars Join Date: Nov 2005 Posts: 45,672 Vehicle Specs	Try to jump the starter relay on the frame the next time it won't start. __________________ My list of useful threads. My photo gallery. My product reviews. My list of items for sale. Aerostar owners thread. Aerostar parts work in Explorers, Rangers, and Bronco II thread. History of the Aerostar thread. Aerostar Forum. New Members Forum. Ford/Lincoln/Mercury Forum.

10-27-2008, 07:47 PM	#15
TomTheBomb Wannabe Elite Explorer Denver, Colorado 1998 Explorer Sport Join Date: Oct 2008 Posts: 10 Vehicle Specs (Original Poster)	still nothing im really starting to get frustrated its not making any sence

10-28-2008, 07:14 AM	#16
my98nnj Wannabe Elite Explorer Boonton, New Jersey 1998 XLT Join Date: Sep 2008 Posts: 1,293 Vehicle Specs	The starter is probably gone.

10-28-2008, 12:36 PM	#17
marragtop Wannabe Elite Explorer balt, md 91 xlt, 92 xlt, 95 xlt Join Date: Apr 2001 Posts: 2,074 Vehicle Specs	To further test, try jumpering directly from the battery to the starter to see if it spins. That way you are bypassing the solenoid and any relays. __________________ '88 F150 4x4 '91 Explorer XLT 4x4 '92 Explorer XLT 4x4 '95 Explorer XLT 4x4 If it don't = 16 (4x4), it ain't worth driving...

10-28-2008, 03:59 PM	#18
TomTheBomb Wannabe Elite Explorer Denver, Colorado 1998 Explorer Sport Join Date: Oct 2008 Posts: 10 Vehicle Specs (Original Poster)	well i tried again this morning and it fired right up let it run for 15 minutes and all was well i didnt mant to take it to work until i really find the problem so i went back out about 10 minutes later the S.O.B once again nothing wont turn over it has something to do with the Anti-Theft system the factory installed But Im Truly At A Lose!!!!!!!!

10-28-2008, 04:05 PM	#19
BrooklynBay Aerostar Forum Moderator Brooklyn, NY 88 89 93 95 96 Aerostars Join Date: Nov 2005 Posts: 45,672 Vehicle Specs	I'm wondering if there is an anti theft relay somewhere which is going. Maybe the contacts are borderline, and it only works sometimes. Check Autozone's website. They might have a schematic of the anti theft system. __________________ My list of useful threads. My photo gallery. My product reviews. My list of items for sale. Aerostar owners thread. Aerostar parts work in Explorers, Rangers, and Bronco II thread. History of the Aerostar thread. Aerostar Forum. New Members Forum. Ford/Lincoln/Mercury Forum.

10-28-2008, 04:22 PM	#20
98WARanger Wannabe Elite Explorer East Wenatchee, Washington 98 XLT Ranger Join Date: Jan 2008 Posts: 64 Vehicle Specs	I'm not sure about the 98 explorer but my 98 ranger has an anti-theft reset button under the dash above the pedals. It's a black little button try pushing that for 30 seconds and see if that does anything? Good luck. Also try disconnecting the negative battery cable for 30 seconds this resents things quite nicely as well.