93 Explorer: intermittent low power, surges

[darlenevee]

Hello, Serious Explorers near and far, I'm new and my name's Darlene. My 93 Explorer is stock and I've owned it since early 2010. Previous owner little old lady from Pasadena, ran perfect, not even a drop of oil, low miles. Until 2 months ago, everything dandy. The fuel gauge is not fully functional (aware of it from seller). I did OK until a recent major illness and hospitalization dinged me and being distracted, began running her on a low tank and walking with a gas can or calling road service for a gallon. One day after I started her, she hesitated before changing into drive and has gone steadily down in performance. Here's the scene: she starts up fine and going just to and fro around my small town streets for errands is no problem. But if I get her on the highway, after several smooth miles or if there is an incline, she drops power and I'm on the far right doing 35mph. I can gentle keep tapping the gas pedal or let up completely then slowing keep pumping it until she 'catches' and then whoosh, she surges back up to normal driving power. This now only lasts for another mile or two and she drops power, surges, but I've found that if I'm able to completely stop her while in drive and then accelerate again, she will perk up for a bit. I live in the Mojave Desert so highway driving is essential to get anywhere and I'm too afraid to even try now. The running out of gasoline during my illness caused me to have the fuel filter replaced out of caution and I've adjusted the throttle a tad to no avail. I'm disabled and there aren't many mechanics around that I trust or can afford. Just some advice or experiences would be helpful. She's a good truck and I'm not too mechanical but thinking maybe the fuel sending assembly is a suspect that needs to be considered or eliminated. What do you think?

 

[Rick]

It does sound like a fuel delivery problem. Could be that the fuel pump is weak. I would have the fuel pressure checked and go from there. To check the fuel pressure you have to have a gauge specifically for that purpose. The gauge is then attached to what looks like a tire valve on the passenger side of the engine.

Welcome to the forum

 

[darlenevee]

Thank you.

 

[darlenevee]

One More Question..

If the fuel pump is weak can it be improved or is complete replacement necessary? I haven't specifically had it checked yet because we found a spark plug emitting an electrical 'arc' loop one evening and I had a friend replace all six plugs and wires which unfortunately did nothing to improve loss of drive power over 45mph uphill with a load and in fact is running much worse. The catalytic converter was dirty and cleaned but not the cause. Hopefully I will find a delapitated fuel pump later today when a friend drops the gas tank to check it all out.

 

[Yerba1]

hoping for your solution

I have the exact same problem. Replaced any sensor I could find under the hood - still nothing. How did you fix yours?

I got tired of throwing parts at it - tried everything from the hints on here, drove it downhill to my mechanic - and it took him about two weeks of tweaking and testing - and finally he removed the "computer" and replaced it with a junkyard computer and it fired right up and drives like a 1993 Explorer should.

I think the ECM cost about $45 from the junkyard - and I threw about $350 to $400 worth of sensors etc... at it before I took it into the mechanic. My only peace of mind came from listening to him cuss about it (the Ex) kicking his butt.