98 Explorer won't restart - occassionally

[congdongee]

We use our Explorer on short trips mostly, less than 5 miles. Sometimes we go from work to the local high school to pick up our daughter. We wait 10 - 15 minutes for her there and sometimes the car won't restart. The engine turns over, but it seems like there is no fuel delivery. Generally, we wait another half hour and the car starts up fine. We changed the battery but it still has this intermittent problem. We brought it in to the local gas station and the fuel pump has plenty of pressure. Since the car started up (or course!) they could not troubleshoot the problem. Any similar experience? Recommendation or fixes? Thanks in advance.

 

[James909]

When it doesn't start can you hear the fuel pump prime for about 2 seconds when you turn the key to the run (not start) position?

 

[BrooklynBay]

Welcome to this forum! The fuel pump relay is a common part to go bad. Occasionally it could be the PCM relay if you don't see a check engine light when this no start condition occurs.

 

[congdongee]

Thanks for the replies. I didn't specifically listen for it at the time. I don't remember hearing the fuel pump priming up because I had turned off the radio trying to start the car. There was also no check engine light.

 

[BrooklynBay]

If the computer won't turn on, then there will be no check engine light, and the fuel pump will not turn on either.

 

[congdongee]

Thanks, BrooklynBay. I found the post by jtsmith on the fuse and relay locations for 2nd gen power distribution box. I saw a note somewhere to disconnect the battery before messing with the relay. I went to one on-line parts e-site and didn't find the part, so I assume this is a dealer item.

Its raining really hard in SF. I'll shuffle the cars tomorrow to take a look under the hood.

 

[marragtop]

You should be able to get the FP relay at most auto stores. Here's a link to Autozones... http://www.autozone.com/N,15701258/shopping/partTypeResultSet.htm

 

[congdongee]

I drove the Explorer the past couple of days without incident. I picked up the PCM relay from the dealer and will swap them out tonight.

Thanks again for your posts.
Roger

 

[nolimitssjca]

This is just a plug and play thing and relatively inexpensive. For the future, just get used to listening for the pump when you turn the key to the on posistion before you try to turn it over.

It's finally not raining here so I'm troubleshooting a couple of things myself.

 

[aldive]

I would check the fuel pressure.