Fuel issue on a 2002 XLT

[bodine465]

So I have a bit of a headscratcher going on. I've been letting my daughter use my 2002 Explorer for a few months. Has around 170,000 miles on it and has always run fine. Couple of months back, she calls and tells me that she's at a friend's house and the Explorer will crank, but not start. Tracked it down to a blown fuel pump fuse #26. Replace the fuse and we're back on the road.

Last week she calls and says the car won't start again. Checked the fuse and it's fine. Replaced anyways and still won't start. Swapped out fuel pump relay, just in case, but nothing. Have it towed home and start playing with it. Find out that the fuel pump cutoff sometimes causes issues and try it. Thought I felt a click, but wasn't paying enough attention. Started right up and all is good again.

Fast forward to today and she calls again. Car won't start. Checks fuse, it's good. Presses the cutoff switch but still won't start. I head her way to try to figure it out and she calls just before I get there. Car started and is running fine again. Told her to drive it to my place so I can figure it out.

That's where I stand. Thought it might be a bad fuel pump, but it runs perfectly once it starts. Also fires right up when it's not being a PITA. Haven't changed the fuel filter in forever, but again, it seems like that would affect the way it runs, in addition to starting. Can't even rule out that the cutoff switch was the issue the second time, since I'm not sure it actually reset. Could have been just the down time while being towed, just like the down time from today. Any ideas?

 

[dvdswan]

Going back to the beginning, why did the fuse initially blow? I would check the grounds in the rear of the Ex and then put a fuel pressure tester on it.

Also, it's still too cold to work outside, I hope you have a shop. Chance of snow this weekend and next week so they say...

Sharp looking Ex BTW. Looks great in white.

 

[bodine465]

Going back to the beginning, why did the fuse initially blow? I would check the grounds in the rear of the Ex and then put a fuel pressure tester on it.

Also, it's still too cold to work outside, I hope you have a shop. Chance of snow this weekend and next week so they say...

Sharp looking Ex BTW. Looks great in white.

Going back to the beginning, why did the fuse initially blow? I would check the grounds in the rear of the Ex and then put a fuel pressure tester on it.

Also, it's still too cold to work outside, I hope you have a shop. Chance of snow this weekend and next week so they say...

Sharp looking Ex BTW. Looks great in white.

The blown fuse was what was bothering me. Seemed to point towards an electrical component shorting out or building resistance. Also noticed that this only occurred after the car had been driven, then shut off for a brief time. Going to assume fuel pump, so the new one will be here Saturday.

As far as work space goes, I treated myself to a retirement gift a couple years ago, then added a diesel heater for winter projects.

 

[dvdswan]

Seeing how your just in the next town over, I'm in PO, I think I just found my shop. LOL

Seriously thou, even though the undercarriage looks spotless, I would still check the grounds in the rear. Do you remember how much fuel was in the tank during the time of shutdown? It is possible for the fuel pump to overheat when the fuel is low.

 

[bodine465]

Seeing how your just in the next town over, I'm in PO, I think I just found my shop. LOL

Seriously thou, even though the undercarriage looks spotless, I would still check the grounds in the rear. Do you remember how much fuel was in the tank during the time of shutdown? It is possible for the fuel pump to overheat when the fuel is low.

It's sitting on just over 1/2 tank now. My daughter has been driving it, but I think she's been keeping on top of it. I do remember that she was almost on E when the fuse popped, so that would go along with an overheating pump motor.

If you catch yourself needing a dry spot to work underneath your rig, just shoot me a message. I'll need to move a couple things and you'll need to bring beer.