2001 Explorer gas pump/security issues

[Mrs.Woody]

I was driving my Explorer (approx 60) and it just died. It starts, but runs a little rough and then either eventually dies again or if you touch the gas it dies immediately.

Had it towed to our local garage, thinking it was a fuel pump. They said I have good fuel pressure and they think it's the security system. They want me to bring over my extra key to try that. They thought it might be the chip in the key they have.(?) They said they tried everything they know of to reset the security system, but if the other key doesn't work they think I'll need to take it to the Ford dealer.

1. Could the security system shut my truck off while driving? I was 10-15 miles from home, so I had been driving it for a while.

2. Can I reset the system myself? What would I try that the repair shop wouldn't know about?

Unfortunately, I don't know if the security light is flashing or solid or if the key fob works. No, wait, I do know that, I had to unlock the back of the truck and get a cooler when the tow truck came and used the key fob.

Does anyone have any ideas for me?

 

[techieman33]

It's not the key, if it was pats related it wouldn't start at all.

 

[Mrs.Woody]

I agree, I don't see how it could be the security system. I still think its the fuel system, somewhere.

 

[BobWiersema]

If it was related to the security system (PATS) the "Theft" light would be flashing when then engine stalls. Did you notice that? The PATS system uses this light and not the Check Engine light. With diagnostic software you would see the ECU turn on the related PID. The flashing light is easier to see. Is it running now? If not turn on the ignition and see if the Theft light is flashing.

Bob

 

[Mrs.Woody]

I've got some more information now. I took the key to the repair shop and tried it myself. No different from the first key. It starts but then chugs/dies. The 'Theft' light does not flash, it turns off as I start and then comes back on when it dies, as do all the other idiot lights.

The drive from work to the shop and back to work was a little more than an hour, so I had a lot of time to think. These are the possibilities I came up with...

Bad gas (it has 1/2 a tank now, no bad vibes with the first half...)
Gas Shut Off Cable
Vapor Lock (?)
O2 sensor

Any other ideas?

 

[Vargas]

I've got some more information now. I took the key to the repair shop and tried it myself. No different from the first key. It starts but then chugs/dies. The 'Theft' light does not flash, it truns off as I start and then comes back on when it dies, as do all the other idiot lights.

The drive from work to the shop and back to work was a little more than an hour, so I had a lot of time to think. These are the possibilities I came up with...

Bad gas (it has 1/2 a tank now, no bad vibes with the first half...)
Gas Shut Off Cable
Vapor Lock (?)
O2 sensor

Any other ideas?

I don't see a bad O2 sensor causing that much trouble, particularly without a Check Engine Light and error code.

Because of the sudden onset of the problem, I'd say it's not bad gas.

Vapor lock does not really match the symptoms, and would not have been the cause of it shutting down while driving.

Not sure what you mean by Gas Shut Off Cable. The fuel pump inertia switch is fine if the shop is able to measure fuel pressure.

I'm curious how or where they are measuring the fuel pressure. They are clearly not familiar with Ford vehicles since they don't know how check PATS. Unless they are testing for fuel pressure at the injector rail, the filter and regulator are both suspect.

If fuel pressure is good at the rail, I'd suspect the Mass Airflow Sensor. It can cause these symptoms, but should also be setting a code and tripping the CEL.

 

[my98nnj]

Which motor do you have?

 

[Mrs.Woody]

It has the 5.0 L Windsor V8.

 

[Diff Whack Daddy]

Almost 90% sure it's the pump. It has enough flow to maintain pressure at idle, but as son as it needs more it can't keep up. The other 10% says it the fuel filter.

 

[Mrs.Woody]

Ok, I thought I'd update you on the progress.

Shop #1 had the truck for a week and a half and couldn't figure out what the problem was. By the end of the first week it would start and idle, but as soon as you stepped on the gas it would die. They replaced the fuel filter and said it was 'black and gunkey'. The truck didn't run any different after the fuel filter than it did before it. But, they were sure it wasn't the pump. So, they put it on a trailer and took it to the local Ford shop. (With my blessing)

Shop #2 couldn't find anything wrong with it. They started it right up and drove it into the shop. Hooked it up to their computer and couldn't even find any fault codes. They said the did 'blow the Mass Air Sensor with air' but didn't replace it. They took it out for test drives and with the cruise on or off, the air on or off, heat on or off it ran great. They tested the pump and it is working perfectly. They had it for just under a week. They finally called me and told me I might as well come get it, and asked that if it happens again to have it towed there so they can see it not running.

So, we played 'Stump the Mechanic' and won. The working theory is that there was a chunk of dirt 'somewhere' plugging 'something' up and that the trailer ride shook it free.

Thanks everyone for your help. If anyone has any ideas I'm open to hearing them, but its a head scratcher!

 

[RickOTR]

If they found all that "Balck/Gunky stuff" in the filter, than why did they not take the tank out and clean it. All you're doing is taking the chance of your filter getting clogged up again. I had my fuel tank emptyed and clean about two years ago and it was amazing all the sediment they found in it, and take good care of my X.

 

[Mrs.Woody]

That's a good question...one I didn't think of at the time. I'll have to investigate that one further and find out.

Thanks