1995 Ford Explorer idle problems only in hot weather

[john_miller4620]

Hello all. I have searched this and found people with similar problems but no one I could find with my exact problem so I'm wondering if you all can help me pinpoint what is troubling me.

I have a 95 explorer wich I have had since 2000 and absolutley love it. It has been the mist dependable vehicle I've ever owned with very few problems. Recently it has started giving me idle problems. Last summer I noticed this very rarely, but on occasion it would seem to stall out while idling. Then throughout the winter there were no problems at all. But this summer I have a real problem. When idleing it will run very poorly. Sometimes it will die altogether....especially if it has just been driven a long way. Then you can barely keep it running at all if you don't have your foot on the pedal. It will do this at a stop sign and totally die. I.checked the air filter and it does need a new one and I will get one asap....but it seems to do this even when I have the air filter totally taken apart and it can suck all the air or wants. If it seems to be ideling ok and I give it gas and rev it up it will then drop way down to the point of dying or almost then bob up and down for a bit until it dies or levels out. There is also something that will sometimes click on and increase the idle.speed occasionally and then it will run fine. This.only happens occasionally.

It seems like this problem could be from a lot of things but I was hoping my exact symptoms could help pinpoint it. It seems to be worse after the vehicle has been driven ....it seems worse in the summer.....and seems to work fine when driving.

Any guesses would be extremely helpful.


Thank you.

 

[john_miller4620]

Anyone?

 

[explorinitup]

is there a mil light on???

 

[john_miller4620]

There are no check engine lights or unexpected lights.

 

[Jstcruz]

I dont know for sure but you could try: Replace your spark plugs. undo your battery while you are working on it so the computer can reset itself. I was having high idle issues after an exhaust upgrade and resetting the computer fixed that. Since apperantly you havnt upgraded anything recently, the spark plugs are standing out to me. Make sure to check gap. Running some Sea Foam through an intake vacume should clear it up some too

 

[gmanpaint]

Might be the coolant control sensor.

If this goes bad, the computer wont know the correct operating temp of the engine. The air/fuel mix at idle will be wrong if this happens, and run like crap.

Locate this sensor above the t-stat housing next to the throttle body. Do not confuse this with the temp gauge sensor. This sensor is a 2 wire connector, and has a cone shape brass end on it.

http://www.autozone.com/autozone/pa...WD/Coolant-Temperature-Sensor/_/N-j56sxZ9gslt

 

[ExpSprtGi]

I had a similar problem on a 2001 sport

Ran fine in cool weather, but started noticing that the engine would falter on really hot days, especially at stoplights. It got gradually worse until it was essentially undriveable during summer. Nobody could give me a certain diagnosis but the Ford dealer said the fuel pressure was a bit low, but within tolerance. They said it might be the fuel pump but they could not be sure. I eventually replaced the fuel pump (another long story) and the problem was solved. I think that during warm weather, the pump simply got overheated and would fault out. I also could hear a noticeable noise coming from the fuel pump, especially when turning the key on in my garage while the vehicle was hot.

The good news is that I got it fixed, the bad news is that the fuel pump is in the tank. It's not a fun job, expecially if you buy an aftermarket pump that doesn't work after getting everything back together and you end up paying to have a flat-bed come to your home and haul the vehicle to a shop where they charge you top-dollar for an OEM pump plus installation (about a grand) which is what you were trying to avoid in the first place by buying the aftermarket unit and then spending untold hours cursing beneach the vehicle in the garage trying to separate the fuel lines without tearing stuff up or setting the house on fire but at least I'm not bitter. Maybe a little.

 

[Banjoes]

Just curious, but when this was happening did you notice the vehicle having a hard time starting/idling (and bogging and tachometer jumping up and down) after sitting for about 15-30 minutes off after a long drive? And the only way to prevent it from doing that is to turn the key to the ON position without starting about 3-4 times?.

 

[bigfootmtb]

Same problem on my 95 replaced the fuel pump didnt help at all no trouble starting on mine will jump from 500rpm to 2k for about 10 mins shop has no clue why either...

 

[new]

my 97 did that to, it was a distributor coil