FarmTruk
Well-Known Member
- Joined
- April 15, 2006
- Messages
- 125
- Reaction score
- 4
- City, State
- Wallburg, NC
- Year, Model & Trim Level
- 94 XLT 4x4, 172k miles
Welcome to the wonderful world of DIY auto repair. 
hehehehe...fuel pump relay...check.
Same thing happened to mine. Over a period of several months, it would occasionally "no start", and then a few minutes later, mysteriously start like brand new.
It left me stranded in the ATM lane the last time. That's when I noticed that the fuel pump was not "whirring" when I turned the key to the "on" position.
I popped the hood, found the little bugger relay...tapped on it lightly with my keys, and presto-chango...she fired right up.
Similar instance with my HVAC blower motor...and it takes the exact same relay, FYI.
Relays are <$10 at AutoZone. I expect it'd be the same anywhere else.
The loud "bang" when you hit a bump could be something as simple as a worn-out/busted shock absorber. Rock the truck side to side till it hits the limit of it's suspension travel. It should settle within 2-3 rebounds, max. If not, the shocks are worn, and can be easily replaced. Good shocks can be pricey, but even new cheep-o shocks likely would be a world better than OEM's with 185k miles on them. And they are something that a noob can replace with a few simple hand tools.
If they've never been replaced, the radius-arm bushings on the front end are likely shot. Replacement may be more of a job than a beginner shade-tree-mechanic would be able to accomplish. Unfortunately, Ford's engineers didn't make the replacement a user-friendly job.
Getting a Chilton's manual is great advice. Like posted above, just read over it in your spare time to gain a better understanding of how all the truck's systems work. And, as a devoted user for many years, I can affirm that they will be well worth the small investment.
I don't post here often, but have been a lurking member for a while. I have to say, this is a great board, and even being comfortable with a wrench, find it to be an excellent resource for info specific to my 1994 Exploder.
MY "to-do" list includes...
replace warped brake discs & repack bearings
repair pass. side power window bushing
hehehehe...fuel pump relay...check.
Same thing happened to mine. Over a period of several months, it would occasionally "no start", and then a few minutes later, mysteriously start like brand new.
It left me stranded in the ATM lane the last time. That's when I noticed that the fuel pump was not "whirring" when I turned the key to the "on" position.
I popped the hood, found the little bugger relay...tapped on it lightly with my keys, and presto-chango...she fired right up.
Similar instance with my HVAC blower motor...and it takes the exact same relay, FYI.
Relays are <$10 at AutoZone. I expect it'd be the same anywhere else.
The loud "bang" when you hit a bump could be something as simple as a worn-out/busted shock absorber. Rock the truck side to side till it hits the limit of it's suspension travel. It should settle within 2-3 rebounds, max. If not, the shocks are worn, and can be easily replaced. Good shocks can be pricey, but even new cheep-o shocks likely would be a world better than OEM's with 185k miles on them. And they are something that a noob can replace with a few simple hand tools.
If they've never been replaced, the radius-arm bushings on the front end are likely shot. Replacement may be more of a job than a beginner shade-tree-mechanic would be able to accomplish. Unfortunately, Ford's engineers didn't make the replacement a user-friendly job.
Getting a Chilton's manual is great advice. Like posted above, just read over it in your spare time to gain a better understanding of how all the truck's systems work. And, as a devoted user for many years, I can affirm that they will be well worth the small investment.
I don't post here often, but have been a lurking member for a while. I have to say, this is a great board, and even being comfortable with a wrench, find it to be an excellent resource for info specific to my 1994 Exploder.
MY "to-do" list includes...
replace warped brake discs & repack bearings
repair pass. side power window bushing
