1997 Explorer 4.0 SOHC Automatic 2WD Test drive

[allmyEXes]

Well, Since January 23rd I have had the intermittent no start issue. To be clear it turns over but won't fire and run. This has happened several more times since the mid winter and after finally having time and space to work on it I have and did install a new fuel pump and filter over the weekend.
I thought that I had finally fixed it. Well apparently not. When I got in it this afternoon to drive home, it would not start again. I have read several posts related to this condition with Gen IIs and it seems to be several people here in the past with the same issue. Several concluded that they had a bad CPS or Crankshaft Position Sensor connector. I hate to just start randomly throwing parts at it but I have to do something. The Wife's old blue '97 needs to come off of the road before it breaks down. I had wanted to change the CPS when I worked on the multiple chains on this 4.0 SOHC and didn't. Maybe I should... Any ideas?

 

[donalds]

I had this problem twice
First time was the crank sensor
Second time was the coolant temp sensor
Both were intermittent

 

[allmyEXes]

Every time that I've had this issue the engine was 7 hours cold or even days later it might not start, or might start. Never warm. Would that point to not being the coolant temperature sensor?
ADDED: I won't be able to wiggle the connector until the morning when I get to work. Thanks guys...

 

[donalds]

Every time that I've had this issue the engine was 7 hours cold or even days later it might not start, or might start. Never warm. Would that point to not being the coolant temperature sensor?
ADDED: I won't be able to wiggle the connector until the morning when I get to work. Thanks guys...

That's when mine acted up cold starts
I ended catching on the scan tool
It was clear it was out of wack

 

[allmyEXes]

My scan tool presented only a p0402 code. I've been dealing with that on the side when the no start condition is not doing its thing. Mid week last week I ordered a replacement Crankshaft position Sensor and connector. I had been getting a ride to work for the later half of the week. Thanks Brother!
By Friday the not having my own way to get around was getting real old. Friday late afternoon I tried to start it. Turned over, no fire. I slid up under the front and wiggled the connector. I tried again and it started. I drove straight home and haven't started it yet. Parts should be here today. I'm going to start with the sensor and see if it cures the problem. I would change sensor and connector at the same time but I would like to know which of the two related things was the problem.
I need to do something fast though, My Wife has nearly used up what was left of the blue '97 4.0 SOHC.
If anyone has been following my "toomanyexes" you'll see that they won't continue to run indefinitely. I've used up the '97 MM, revived this white '97. The white '92 needs a broke band in the transmission fixed and of all things the 330,000 plum '94 will start if I put in a hot battery and add a few gallons of fresh fuel. It has the little "iron duke" 4.0 OHV in it.

 

[donalds]

My scan tool presented only a p0402 code. I've been dealing with that on the side when the no start condition is not doing its thing. Mid week last week I ordered a replacement Crankshaft position Sensor and connector. I had been getting a ride to work for the later half of the week. Thanks Brother!
By Friday the not having my own way to get around was getting real old. Friday late afternoon I tried to start it. Turned over, no fire. I slid up under the front and wiggled the connector. I tried again and it started. I drove straight home and haven't started it yet. Parts should be here today. I'm going to start with the sensor and see if it cures the problem. I would change sensor and connector at the same time but I would like to know which of the two related things was the problem.
I need to do something fast though, My Wife has nearly used up what was left of the blue '97 4.0 SOHC.
If anyone has been following my "toomanyexes" you'll see that they won't continue to run indefinitely. I've used up the '97 MM, revived this white '97. The white '92 needs a broke band in the transmission fixed and of all things the 330,000 plum '94 will start if I put in a hot battery and add a few gallons of fresh fuel. It has the little "iron duke" 4.0 OHV in it.

My bets on the connector
I had to fix mine a while
Ago
It only would act up in the mornings

 

[allmyEXes]

My brain was pointing towards a "humid" morning condition that could be affecting the connector.

 

[allmyEXes]

@donalds How in the world did you get two hands in there to solder and heat shrink the wires with the radiator, fan and shroud all in the way?!

 

[donalds]

i was able to pull it up to the top of the engine bay it was a pain in the ass

 

[allmyEXes]

I'll try that tomorrow. The CPS was a bit of trouble not being able to stand up under the truck and work on it. The plastic connector has part of it broke away enough that the lock wire won't keep itself locked tight to the sensor. I believe that is the problem.

 

[allmyEXes]

I soldered and heat shrinked the new connector today. Now it won't fire...

 

[donalds]

Can you confirm that sensor is working with a scan tool of some kind

 

[allmyEXes]

@donalds
I might could with a meter if the sensor would put out enough milliamps to read out on the DVOM. I was wondering where the two sensor wires head to, maybe the PCM connector? I thought that I could test the continuity of the pair of wires or test the sensor from there. The brand new STANDARD crankshaft position sensor worked fine yesterday after it was installed, and that was with the broken connector plugged in.
I'm baffled...

 

[donalds]

@donalds
I might could with a meter if the sensor would put out enough milliamps to read out on the DVOM. I was wondering where the two sensor wires head to, maybe the PCM connector? I thought that I could test the continuity of the pair of wires or test the sensor from there. The brand new STANDARD crankshaft position sensor worked fine yesterday after it was installed, and that was with the broken connector plugged in.
I'm baffled...

@J_C could probably tell you that info on the testing
Are you sure that the wires aren't backwards
It happens

 

[allmyEXes]

@donalds Does that matter which way that they go? The two new wires on the connector are both solid white and the truck wiring they are solid black. I think the sensor is a wire wound pick up coil?

 

[donalds]

@donalds Does that matter which way that they go? The two new wires on the connector are both solid white and the truck wiring they are solid black. I think the sensor is a wire wound pick up coil?

Your probably right
I did mine one wire at a time

 

[allmyEXes]

I'm hoping that when I get to work where the truck is that it will magically start. But that won't make me feel any better about it. I kept thinking that maybe I flooded it somehow. But I did go through the whole hold it to the floor thing to stop the fuel pump, but I could still hear the pump
pre-pumping...

 

[donalds]

The peddle to the floor thing never really works for me
You would greatly benefit from Forscan
You can actually see the sensor working in real time
While cranking

 

[allmyEXes]

@donalds With the connector unplugged I could probably swap the wires in the end of it like on some connectors that you can reach a rigid wire in to it to release the metal clip from the plastic holder.
Would a handheld scanner do that or do you have to interface a laptop to the scanner along with having FORSCAN software? We have just stepped outside of my abilities and equipment.

 

[donalds]

Forscan is a free program on a laptop
You would need a elm 327 obd2 dongle
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B083FML519/?tag=serious-20

This is what I use
Under $20 for the best ford scanner you can have at home

Using it is easy very easy
Plus there is a lot of YouTube vids on how to use it to