Bwana Bob
Well-Known Member
- Joined
- February 2, 2002
- Messages
- 757
- Reaction score
- 8
- City, State
- Morris Plains, NJ
- Year, Model & Trim Level
- 92 XLT
I was doing some errands on a hot day last week. After the Ex was parked for maybe 20 minutes, I started it but RPMs dropped off immediately and it stalled. Cranked it some more and gave it the gas and after a few attempts it started and OK. A few miles down the road it lost power RPMs dropped off again an dit stalled. This time I couldn't restart it. For the first time in 23 years and 245,000 miles, I had to have my Ex towed. Next morning at the mech that I deal with it started and ran fine. I checked fuel pressure and it was good. Mechanic drove it several miles and it still runs fine, but we have had a spell of cool weather.
My theory is that something electrical is failing when it gets hot, particularly after being parked with the engine off for a while, when components in the engine compartment get heat soaked.
I did a forum search and what came up was fuel pump relay, coolant temp sensor, and coil pack. Coil pack seems the most likely. It is my understanding that in most cases a sensor failure will not stop the engine from running. There are two items that I know of, other than fuel pump, that will stop the engine: The coil pack, if it's 2/3 dead, or the crankshaft position indicator.
By the way, when the failure occurred I did not see a CEL. Mechanic found no stored codes with the code scanner.
When I get it back I plan to inspect the wiring, do a continuity check on the crank position indicator pickup and the coil pack, then try again on a hot day, or perhaps use a heat gun on those items.
Any help would be appreciated. I want to keep the old girl past her 25th birthday!
Bwana Bob
My theory is that something electrical is failing when it gets hot, particularly after being parked with the engine off for a while, when components in the engine compartment get heat soaked.
I did a forum search and what came up was fuel pump relay, coolant temp sensor, and coil pack. Coil pack seems the most likely. It is my understanding that in most cases a sensor failure will not stop the engine from running. There are two items that I know of, other than fuel pump, that will stop the engine: The coil pack, if it's 2/3 dead, or the crankshaft position indicator.
By the way, when the failure occurred I did not see a CEL. Mechanic found no stored codes with the code scanner.
When I get it back I plan to inspect the wiring, do a continuity check on the crank position indicator pickup and the coil pack, then try again on a hot day, or perhaps use a heat gun on those items.
Any help would be appreciated. I want to keep the old girl past her 25th birthday!
Bwana Bob