1994 Ford Explorer Starting Problem.

[Andff2226]

Hello all, I have a 1994 explorer 4x4, all stock. It stays parked most of the time, so I crank it once every few days to keep the battery up and let her run. When I came to start her last week, she didnt want to start. It would turn and turn and turn but no fire. SHe fires off if I press the accellerator to the floor and hold it there. Then she fires up at about 2500 rpms for a sec, then settles down to the 750 range. Then she runs fine, no sputtering, rough idle or anything just smooth. As a side note, possibly related, the fuel gauge is malfunctioning, I think. It reads below E and I just put fuel in it. So I thought someone siphoned my gas but I added a couple of gallons to it and it still reads below E. She used to fire right up everytime, no problems. Now I have to hold accellerator down and wait. Any help is greatly appreciated!...

 

[mr cribb]

Hello all, I have a 1994 explorer 4x4, all stock. It stays parked most of the time, so I crank it once every few days to keep the battery up and let her run. When I came to start her last week, she didnt want to start. It would turn and turn and turn but no fire. SHe fires off if I press the accellerator to the floor and hold it there. Then she fires up at about 2500 rpms for a sec, then settles down to the 750 range. Then she runs fine, no sputtering, rough idle or anything just smooth. As a side note, possibly related, the fuel gauge is malfunctioning, I think. It reads below E and I just put fuel in it. So I thought someone siphoned my gas but I added a couple of gallons to it and it still reads below E. She used to fire right up everytime, no problems. Now I have to hold accellerator down and wait. Any help is greatly appreciated!...

#1)
I might be off on this one, it could be one of the two sensors. IAC (Idle Air Control) or TPS (Throttle Position Sensor).

#2)
Sounds like Fuel sending unit. The fuel pump is mounted to this. Depending on the mileage I'd prob do both just so you wouldn't have to mess with it again.

And it could be something as stupid as a clogged fuel filter. Try running some injector cleaner first since it sits a lot. I would do this first before checking the sensors. Mostly because it is cheaper for the fuel cleaner than the sensors. A fuel filter is $7 - $10.

 

[ehauck98]

My '94 explorer is doing the exact same thing. I drive mine everyday but only turns, turns, turns, and then starts after it's been sitting for more than an hour or so. Quick stops with the ignition do not affect it. I had both my sensors changed for about $100 and made no difference. Please let me know if you found an answer to your problem, I'm going to try the fuel cleaning fluid.

 

[mr cribb]

My '94 explorer is doing the exact same thing. I drive mine everyday but only turns, turns, turns, and then starts after it's been sitting for more than an hour or so. Quick stops with the ignition do not affect it. I had both my sensors changed for about $100 and made no difference. Please let me know if you found an answer to your problem, I'm going to try the fuel cleaning fluid.

Yours sounds like the fuel pressure is dropping off. Which could be either a bad FPR (Fuel Pressure Regulator) or a failing fuel pump.

There is a tire valve looking piece near the ignition coil, you put a pressure gauge on it to see what your fuel pressure reads. The pressure specs I'm not certain on, maybe someone will jump in and help out.

 

[Anime]

If it's a turn, turn, turn, then crank issue, my guess would be the electricals, either something like a battery that is going (barely 12V sitting, under 14.6V with engine running), corrosion on the terminals, on the starter/relay connectors, or even corrosion inside the starter/alternator cables themselves.

If it cranks strong otherwise and the electricals are fine, I'd agree with checking the fuel delivery, with both the fuel pressure check and a fuel line inspection to be sure there isn't a leak somewhere. I would expect any fuel/ignition issue to show up when running as well though, not just when starting.