1997 Ford Explorer v6 starts sometimes, sometimes not- I hear the fuel pump by cycling the keys- Please help

[ExplorerGuys]

HI all!First off thanks in advance for all the help I know I will get- Ive done lots of reading here yall are great.

So my 1997 Ford explorer v6 runs great, but I've run into the problem where it starts and runs fine, but sometimes it does not start.

I've narrowed it down to where sometimes when I turn the ignition key I hear the fuel pump "whir" and sometimes I don't. When I hear the fuel pump engage, it starts and runs fine. When I don't hear the fuel pump it just cranks and turns over but doesn't "fire up, or start"

I've found by cycling the ignition off, then on, then off then on, I can get the fuel pump to come on after the 2nd, 3rd, or sometimes 4th try.



What could be causing the fuel pump to engage sometimes and sometimes not? I say that, but I don't actually know what's wrong hehehe... But like,

Please please help I need this vehicle to help people and the world.

THank you

 

[Turdle]

Check the fuel pump relay, and the socket it plugs in to.

Something of great importance,
Next time, notice the check engine light. Does it come on with the key to on, or, does cycling the key turn it on.
No check engine light means no pcm power. The pcm must first power on to prime the fuel pump.

 

[ExplorerGuys]

THanks for the fast reply! Put a new fuel pump relay in, and it started right up( but then again, it does this sometimes anyways)... drove to store and it has the same problem of cranking but not starting up. Finally managed to get it to start on like the 10th time cycling the ignition off and on.
I'll have to look into checking the fuel pump relay outlet itself.

Where do I go from here?

and yes, the Check engine light comes on when the key is turned to on, but does not stay on when the vehicle stars

 

[BTR]

Sounds like the fuel pump is going bad. Get a loaner fuel pressure gauge from NAPA, AutoZone, etc. and gather several key-ON measurements of the fuel pressure. This will help diagnose your fuel pump.

 

[ExplorerGuys]

THanks! I will look into the fuel pump, but, it never stops working while I'm driving...... Is it possible that the fuel pump just goes bad while starting and not otherwise? seems like it would also fail while I'm driving too, right?

I will look into that. any other ideas after that?

 

[wollimann]

Thats a normal behaviour of a bad old fuel pump, sometimes it starts, sometimes
it doesn't start, next day it maybe starts again.
It doesn't quit while running, never had that issue before.
Use a good Bosch 66085 spare part

Bosch 66085 == Walbro GSS250

So, following the advice of some folks here, I ordered a Bosch 66085 fuel pump. Anyone else getting a Walbro GSS250 in their Bosch box? As far as I knew, Bosch and Walbro/TI were separate entities. Not upset, Walbro is good stuff, was just surprised to find it.

www.explorerforum.com

 

[ExplorerGuys]

WOW!~ THank you! Looks like I'll be doing the fuel pump and filter while I'm at it! Thanks SOOOOOO much. Will report back

 

[BTR]

Like @wollimann said, typically, but not in every case, a going-bad fuel pump will be difficult to get started spinning... but once it's spinning, it'll stay spinning.