1993 explorer starting/running problem

[pac-fever]

Hi all,
I have searched this site but can not find anything on my problem.
If I missed it somewhere (sorry if I am asking a question someone else has asked), please direct me to the proper post.

OK, here goes. I have a 93 x. Have not been having any running or stating problems the three years I've had it. Been stating and driving fine.

I came home from work tonight pulled it in the garage and it just died.
Turned it over a few times, would not start. Went in the house and about ten minutes later went out and tried it and it started right up. Ran for about a minute and just died again. Tried to start again and it just turned over. About an hour later went out and tried again and it just turns over.

I will check in the morning if I got spark. Other then that I don't know what else to check.

Hopefully someone here will have some ideas. If you need more info I will provide as much as I can. What is the best way to check for spark. I do not have any tools for that. Just basic had tools, and I am not a mechanic but somewhat mechanically inclined. Thanks...

sorry for the long post.....

 

[natenkiki2004]

While I'm not super-knowledgeable compared to a lot of the nice people here, I figure I'll give you something to try;

Move the key from the on and off position. You'll hear the fuel pump come when you do. Do that a few times and then try to start it.

To me, it doesn't really sound like a spark issue, more of an intermittent fuel supply or something along those lines.

 

[Cbyersh37]

Try looking at the fuel trip switch too, it turns the flow of fuel off in the event of a crash. I think its under the floor carpet on either the driverside or the passenger side i cant remember.

 

[FR-425]

Here's a link on how to check fuel pressure.

http://www.explorerforum.com/forums/showthread.php?t=170334

The truck in the write up is a 2000 Ranger; however the test port is in the same place on your 93'

Fuel press should be 30-45 psi. usually about 32 running. It should hold pressure after shutdown for at least 5 minutes.

If you can hear the fuel pump running at key on, but it won't start you can still test the fuel press, just not with the engine running. It will still press up to 30-45 then the pump will stop. Then just watch the gauge for the bleed down rate.

NOTE: The ICM (Ignition control module) Can cause this strange shutdown after start situation. The ICM needs to be sending spark data to the PCM or the fuel pump will shut down.

The fuel pump runs for 2-3 seconds when the key is turned on and so the engine starts. But then after start the ICM is not sending signal to the PCM, the fuel pump shuts off just after start and the pressure falls stalling the engine.

I've seen many fellows chasing ghosts on this one, only the end up replacing the ICM.

So, If the fuel pressure checks out, It's the ICM.

 

[pac-fever]

I want to thank you for your replies. I did check for spark and have spark. I do not have a fuel pressure guage to check fuel pressure.

I went out about 7 am this morning and turned the key and heard the fuel pump once, but still no start. I have turned the key to the on position several more time the last 4 hours and now no fuel pump sound.

It will be going to a local repair shop soon. As I do not have all my tools here to work on it myself. Plus is just to cold to here in northern Wisconsin to work on something.

Anyways when it gets repaired I will let this forum no what the real culprit was. Thanks for all you help.

 

[FR-425]

 

[pac-fever]

hi all, I want to thank those that replied to my post. My explorer is at the repair shop now. Bad fuel pump, just what I suspected it to be. Should be getting it back in a few days. Hopefully the new few pump will fix another problem I was having with it. The problem was when I first started it up after sitting several hours it would loose rpms and die, but would start right back up. I had to sit in for a few minutes and keep pushing on the gas a little until it warm up enough.

One more question, a link if there is one to a forum, u might have for f150 trucks. I have a 1993.

thanks
Henry

 

[FR-425]

Yep, the new fuel pump will clear up the funny starts too.

Ford Trucks:
http://www.ford-trucks.com/forums/index.php