DESPERATE 02 explorer cranks but doesn't start

[Desiree Reilly]

I hope someone can help. I bought an 02 explorer that had been sitting 4 about a yr. At the time it was parked there were no mechanical issues. When i cranked it, it turned over but wouldnt start & never heard the fuel pump kick on. So we replaced the fuel pump & it still wouldnt start but this time we heard the pump cut on & a gurgling noise coming from driver side under the dash like there was air bubbles in a line. So we primed the fuel pump a few times by turning the key letting it sit a few minutes & turning off & still nothing & the same gurgle. Sprayed starter fluid and it started for a few seconds. We hooked up the ob2 of course with my luck it didnt pull any codes but under i/m readiness it read the catalyst mon, evap sys mon, o2 sens mon, ho2 sys mon, & egr mon were all incomplete. We checked the inertia switch, all fuses & relays as well as plug wires, and visually checked vacuum lines under the hood. A few days later kept messing with it trying to start it & it backfired through the intake. Anyone have any ideas? Anything would be great.

 

[Number4]

Research "PATS" (Passive Anti Theft System.)

I believe it disables the fuel pump.

 

[Desiree Reilly]

Research "PATS" (Passive Anti Theft System.)

I believe it disables the fuel pump.

We checked that too, I forgot to put that in there but it was fine. This is so frustrating

 

[Number4]

Then you need to trace power till you find it dont assume it's not at the pump, start there with a multi meter or test light.

 

[Desiree Reilly]

Ill c

Then you need to trace power till you find it dont assume it's not at the pump, start there with a multi meter or test light.

I'll check that tomorrow.....he just brought in a rubber elbow thats broken on both ends. It came off the evap canister line, and wasn't connected, think that could be it?

 

[Josh P]

I had this happen to a F250 that sat for a long time. In my case, it was the gas which has a shelf life of about 6 months. 2 weeks of turning the key to prime the engine with fresh gas in the tank, it fired up.

 

[07gtman]

turn the key on and off 3/4 times long enough for the pump to cycle then try to start it

 

[Paulyy___g]

Just dealt with this exact situation with my 2002 4.6L. Try banging on the catalytic converters with a hammer or mallet. Give each one a good 5-10 whacks then try to start it. Don't go full power swinging and break the honeycomb-like material inside the cats just in case it's not the issue keeping the engine from starting.

 

[Paulyy___g]

If you've got a 4.6L V8, the thermostat housing has a tendency to crack and leak coolant down the intake manifold which somehow makes it to the cats which clogs them up, keeping the engine from starting. I chased the crank, no start issue for the better part of a month on my explorer that sat parked for nearly 2yrs, throwing parts at it like crazy to no avail. Brand new spark plugs and ignition coils all around, crankshaft sensor, 2 fuel pumps, fuel filter, OBD cable thinking might be PATS issue, intake manifold. Finally after all that, tried banging on the cats more out of hope it might start than belief it would and don't you know it started right up.

Good luck and let us know how it ends up. This forum def helped big time. Posted some links below of threads that helped me at the time.

This thread was a huge help.
http://www.explorerforum.com/forums...lp-no-engine-power.454763/page-3#post-3610575

My thread of all my struggles
http://www.explorerforum.com/forums/index.php?threads/fuel-pump-problems.455474/#post-3597496

 

[Desiree Reilly]

turn the key on and off 3/4 times long enough for the pump to cycle then try to start it

I've done that several times still nothing

 

[2000StreetRod]

If it fires on starting fluid but won't fire otherwise you have a fuel problem. Did you drain the old fuel and add new fuel when you replaced the fuel pump? Even if you did you need to replace the old noncombustible fuel from the tank to the injectors. Pressurize the fuel rail and then bleed off the old fuel into a container a few times. A pint of old fuel is probably enough to replace the fuel in the fuel supply lines. Then try starting fluid again. Below is a photo of old, noncombustible fuel.