2006 Explorer will not start and at Walmart parking lot

[jctwo]

Hey everyone!! I am in need of some help before I start spending more money. So let me start from the beginning.

6 weeks ago, I was driving home and my explorer started to overheat. I pulled over and noticed a lot of coolant escaping from my thermostat housing. I had the vehicle moved to Firestone, closest mechanic. They advised that my "plastic" housing was cracked and needed to be replaced. 600 bucks later, I have a new plastic thermostat housing. Friday, 10/30/2010, the explorer decided it wanted to overheat again. This time the mechanic told me that it was my radiator. So 600 bucks later, I have a new radiator. Today, Halloween, the explorer decided that it did not want to start. The battery is full of juice. I would insert my key, and nothing would happen. After a few minutes of turning the key, the engine started. It idled for about 2 minutes and then just stop again. I tried to restart and nothing happened again. So later tonight, I tried to start it again. This time, I noticed my PATS light flashing rapidly. I researched the threads here that talked about it but i'm in a different position. My light only flashes rapidly when I am trying to start the vehicle. The light disappears if the key is in the on position. So the only time it flashes rapidly and does not stop is when I'm turning the key all the way to start the vehicle. After reading threads here about PATS, I sure am hoping its that and not a computer or anything else expensive. As of now, the explorer is in the wal-mart parking lot and I will call a wrecker around 8 am my time. I am hoping someone can help me here without me having to have it towed. The other reason I am writing here is to simply vent. I have never had so many problems with a vehicle before and this explorer is draining my savings account fast.

 

[vipersinu2]

what engine do you have? maybe the crank sensor is going bad. autozone sells for 23.99 4.6 v8 engine

 

[jctwo]

it's a v6 4.0.

 

[random155]

This may sound silly, but try another key. Sounds like it not reading the key as one that can start your car.

 

[vipersinu2]

try the second key, if that doesnt work check for spark or gas. has to be one or the other.

buy a timing gun to check for spark,(safest way so you dont get shocked) or remove a plug wire from the coil pack about 1/4 of an inch and look for spark while cranking the engine.

also you can check for fuel pressure autozone sells these tools they are not to expensive, or maybe will even rent both of these tools.

 

[aaronajb1981]

This is why i got rid on my 06 almost 2 years ago. it was the Worst vehicle i have ever owned. Being im 29 my ex was the 5th vehicle i purchased and 3rd brand new. it had more problems (2-thermostat housings, 2-window motors, 1-tail light, 1- radiator all within 37xxx miles) than all of my other vehicles combined.

To me it sounds like if the pats light on the top center of the dash is rapidly flashing i almost wonder if it lost memory of the key? do you have a spare key you can try?

Is there a remote start in the vehicle? If so, either a key or a bypass module was used and maybe the pats is seeing 2 keys at once. this will make them do this also.