Another One Of Those No Start Threads

[nate_2k5]

i've read through a few of the other ones and still no luck. here is what happened:

i left the explorer (97 5.0) for a weekend at a friends apt. when i came back to pick it up it started just fine, maybe a little hard but it was cold so i didn't pay attention. anyway i started driving away and about 10 feet later it just dies and won't restart. its cranking over but just won't catch.

luckily i didn't have class the next day so i stayed the night, these are the things i tried:

it was low on gas so i thought maybe it wasn't getting to the fuel pump or had frozen so i put a couple gallons in.

i took the battery out and put it in the apt all night and charged it, then the next day i took it and put it back in. the explorer started twice but after i shut it off and tried to start it a third time no dice. i took it out and had it tested and it tested good.

checked the fuel pump reset button, it was still depressed

unplugged the MAF, no difference.

anyone have any ideas? thanks.

 

[BrooklynBay]

Listen for the sound of the fuel pump when you turn the key. If you don't hear anything, then check the fuel pump relay. Do you see the check engine turn on when you turn the key? If not, then the PCM relay might be the problem.

 

[marragtop]

Also, if you don't hear the fuel pump prime, and it's not the FP or PCM relay, check and make sure the plug on the bottom of the intertia (fuel reset) switch is on tight.

 

[jcasey007]

try unplugging the crank shaft sensor and plug it back in again.

It may sound daft but I had similar sympoms to you, I thought it was fuel.

I tried for 3 days then found a post on here, tried it and all sorted

 

[marragtop]

A bad CPS shouldn't affect fuel delivery. If you do hear the FP prime, then check the CPS as most likely your problem is spark related not fuel related.

 

[nate_2k5]

the check engine light does come on when i turn the key.

also i am not sure if my fuel pump is priming, i know what it sounded like on my other car but all i hear on this one are a couple relay clicks and a static-like noise when my radio is shut off...

where is the crankshaft sensor on the 5.0?

how would i check the fuel pump relay? just buy a new one or is there a way to easily test it?

when i crank it the battery charge gauge goes all the way down to low, is that normal?

 

[2000StreetRod]

engine no start procedure

You may want to review my Engine No Start Procedure. Click on "My Helpful Threads" in my signature.

 

[marragtop]

You can try switching the fuel pump relay with the Wide Open Throttle relay. They are both located in the power distribution box. If you dont want to mess with that, use a test light to see if you are getting power to the plug on the bottom of the inertia switch. If you are getting power, then the problem is not the FP or PCM relay.

 

[nate_2k5]

ugh, i hate dealing with electrical ****, i never know if i'm doing/reading something correctly.

 

[nate_2k5]

any other ideas?

 

[nate_2k5]

ok, got back in town today and tried to start the explorer. started right up on the first turn of the key and ran fine for 5 minutes and was fine when i revved it up. turned it off and it would not start again. anyone have these same symptoms that could fasttrack what i should check? thanks.

 

[Turdle]

Fuel pump

 

[nate_2k5]

Fuel pump

any reasoning behind that

 

[Turdle]

No, other than I think the fuel pump is dead. Without doing the things you were asked to earlier I am grasping at straws, but I bet I am right.

 

[nate_2k5]

No, other than I think the fuel pump is dead. Without doing the things you were asked to earlier I am grasping at straws, but I bet I am right.

how would you explain how it starts when left for awhile and stays running until you shut it off and try to start it again? i've never had ANY problems with it starting before this and its been a hell of a lot colder.

where is the voltage gauge supposed to read while cranking?

 

[Turdle]

I tried.

I will try again. Check your fuel pump, ( search) then when you find you are not getting enough fuel pressure, look up th thread for replacing it.

 

[budwich]

IF your starter motor is turning at a "normal speed" resulting in "normal engine crank", it is unlikely that you have to worry about your battery voltage regardless of the reading.