94 sport occassionally will not start

[satsuperman]

beginning about 3 months ago, not long after a top end rebuild, my 94 sport began to act like it wasnt getting any fuel and would not start. Now, about every 20th time I turn it over I get nothing except a turning starter but no start. I've replaced the fuel pump relay and I am getting spark to the plugs so my guess is fuel related. Tonight, it did it again and I tried pulling, cleaning, and checking all the connections at the relay/fuse panel. I then decided to check the fuel cut off switch. It was in the correct position so I began to jiggle all of the wire and check all of the connections, and after that, it started. I am beginning to wonder if that (cut off switch) is the culprit. If so, is there a way to just bypass it completely? Also, I am open to any suggestions on this matter since I think it is a connection / wiring issue?

 

[Creager]

sounds like a short in or on the switch

take it apart, maybe the wires connecting to it is holding on by a single thread; so you can just clean it up and dob some soldder on it...

 

[merc2dogs]

are we talking inertia switch? if so, where are they on explorers?

also, my old B2 had that problem for a while and it was the wires, I had to replace the socket befor it would work right.

Ken.

 

[Cheesebrat]

did you check the filter by any chance?

 

[live2_4x4]

Have you tested the fuel pressure yet? I ask because I chased an intermittant no start for over a month and every time I cleaned or replaced something (MAF, IAC, IAT, Fuel filter, throttle body, crankshaft position sensor) it would start but only once or twice then back to the same old crank crank crank. In my case I was blaming fuel pressure but this was not the problem( my prob was faulty ECT sensor causing it to flood). Also try pulling codes from your computer, this often gives you a starting point. Don't give up you can beat this

 

[live2_4x4]

to merc2dogs

The inertia switch is located under the carper in the passenger side interior against the firewall.

 

[vrytired]

get a fuel pressure gage. the fuel pressure regulator is known to be tempermental. i recomend not bypassing the inertia switch. it keeps you from burning to death in the event of a frontal crash.

 

[merc2dogs]

The inertia switch is located under the carper in the passenger side interior against the firewall.

Thanks, stripped out carpet a short while ago, and don't remember seing it there, I'll take a look though
Thanks again.

 

[satsuperman]

let me elaborate a bit more

when it doesnt start, if i try it about 5 or 6 times, or about 30-45 seconds, it will start. It just went to more like 20 times this weekend when i started trying to fix stuff to get it to go. im not too concerned about the fuel cut off switch working or not, just tryin to eliminate possible problems without having to do a "part swap spree". besides, ive had several cars that had the switch and they never worked when i go in wrecks, so i dont care about it. is there any way to bypass it easily. i thought about just cutting and splicing the 2 wires that connect it.

 

[vstoval]

I had a similar problem with mine a few years ago. I noticed that when it wouldn't start I didn't hear the electric fuel pump buzz for a second when the key was turned to the "ON" position. But it wasn't a inertia switch or fuel pump relay or fuel pump. I pulled the FP relay out and probed the input voltage for the coil windings to operate the relay and when the car acted up I measured 7 volts at the relay instead of batt. volts. My whole problem ended up being dirty ECC relay contacts. I cut the relay open and used an ignition file to clean the contacts and I had no further problems for a few months so I replaced the relay for about $10. The ECC relay was only allowing partial batt. voltage to the computer which in turn was only sending partial voltage to the FP relay. 7 volts wasn't enough voltage to operate the relay. I hope you find your problem and I hope this helps.

 

[satsuperman]

never thought of that. thank you very much for the input. i will try the ecc relay contacts and see how they look. by the way. is there a way to bypass the fuel pump cut off switch. just for sh*ts and grins.

 

[merc2dogs]

never thought of that. thank you very much for the input. i will try the ecc relay contacts and see how they look. by the way. is there a way to bypass the fuel pump cut off switch. just for sh*ts and grins.

Set up a bridge switch, basically connect the two wires with a switch ,but leave the inertia switch in place, that way if you're offroading you can bypass the inertia switch, and when you hit the highway turn the switch 'off' so the IS works normally.
set up a couple like that after I got stuck simply because the inertia switch tripped at the wrong time.

Ken.