2002 ford explorer will not start

[CoolName]

I've had no problems what so ever with my rig untill now. I got off of work the other day jumped in my car tuned the key it ran for a couple seconds then died, turned the key it cranks but wont start and run. Lights and everything work but the car wont start, I just changed my oil a week before, the air filters good and the fule pump works fine. If it sits for a while and I crank it, it tries to start but nothing. I dont believe its a cracked head because it's never over heated on me and theres no creamy residue anywhere. Any help would be very appreciated.

 

[partsman48210]

you say the fuel pump is good? how do you know? did you do a pressure check? by what you described it sounds like the fuel pump or maybe a clogged filter.

 

[allend15]

you say the fuel pump is good? how do you know? did you do a pressure check? by what you described it sounds like the fuel pump or maybe a clogged filter.

My 2002 is doing the same thing. It happen once the other day to my daughter. I go in the car and it worked fine. Again this morning it wouldn't start again.

Is it possible the fuel pump was going out so it would work intermittently? I thought when they went out they went out.

 

[2000StreetRod]

predictions

Since the engine ran briefly and suddenly quit I predict either a failed fuel pump or slipped timing chain.

 

[allend15]

Since the engine ran briefly and suddenly quit I predict either a failed fuel pump or slipped timing chain.

Once it starts it runs fine. Yesterday morning it wouldn't start. Cam back to it later and it took several turning overs and it fired up. Then checked it in the afternoon and it fired right up. This morning fired right up. That may be good for a month or so and then it won't start again. Weird.

 

[2000StreetRod]

CoolName's problem

My response was for CoolName's original post. Your symptoms are different.

 

[partsman48210]

Once it starts it runs fine. Yesterday morning it wouldn't start. Cam back to it later and it took several turning overs and it fired up. Then checked it in the afternoon and it fired right up. This morning fired right up. That may be good for a month or so and then it won't start again. Weird.

This could be a failing fuel pump but without a pressure test you woouldnt know.

Example: my daughter has a jeep Cherokee. It will do a few different things including, crank without starting, stall while driving or go weeks without any issue at all.

If I turn the key on and off a few times and then crank it then it fires right up. In this case it is suppose to pump until it reaches 40psi and then hold there. When I tested it, the gauge didn't reach 40 until the 3rd time I turned the key, which is normal if say, you ran it out of gas and it had to pressurize with an empty fuel line. But it's not out of gas

The problem was that it wasn't holding pressure. There is a check valve in the fuel pump that holds the pressure. It pumps fine but needs to be replaced because the check valve is not serviceable

 

[allend15]

This could be a failing fuel pump but without a pressure test you woouldnt know.

Example: my daughter has a jeep Cherokee. It will do a few different things including, crank without starting, stall while driving or go weeks without any issue at all.

If I turn the key on and off a few times and then crank it then it fires right up. In this case it is suppose to pump until it reaches 40psi and then hold there. When I tested it, the gauge didn't reach 40 until the 3rd time I turned the key, which is normal if say, you ran it out of gas and it had to pressurize with an empty fuel line. But it's not out of gas

The problem was that it wasn't holding pressure. There is a check valve in the fuel pump that holds the pressure. It pumps fine but needs to be replaced because the check valve is not serviceable

Great! I will start there. Everything I have read about this issue it appears the fuel pump is a good indicator.