98 explorer xlt intermitently won't start

[yreka]

My '98 Explorer XLT runs great starts every time, then all of a sudden, with no other indications it refuses to start. It turns over and acts like it wants to start, but no go. I leave it for about two hours ... come back and it starts right up. Had Ford look at it but since it was an intermittent problem, they took my money and said "sorry can't find anything".

Any suggestions?

Dan

 

[tdmiller12]

I had an 97 F150 that did the same thing. It didn't show any codes or repeat the problem at the mechanics. It ended up being the crankshaft position sensor. It did not send a signal to the computer to tell it that the engine was turning over, so it never completed the starting proceedure (or something like that). I believe other sensors have a similar function. I don't know of a good way to test for this. I found mine by trial and error, which is an expensive way to fix a problem, but probably less than the dealership would charge to not fix the problem. Ended up that the crankshaft position sensor was the cheapest and easiest to get to of all the sensors that I replaced.

 

[yreka]

Thanks I'll check it out

That sounds like a place to start. but ... can anyone explain why the truck starts right up after about a two hour sit?

Dan

 

[Wrench]

Which engine do you have? First thing to check is if you have spark when no start condition exists. If yes, then see if you have proper fuel pressure.