HELP! Explorer won't start!!

[ajay]

Ok so yesterday after my drive into work I shut my truck off and it started dieseling (the engine kept trying to run after I turned the key off) and continued to do this through out the day. It ran fine when I drove it and it would start up alot faster that usual. A couple guys suggested that the timing might be off and/or I was running rich and to disconnect the battery and reset the ECU. I drove home and on the way filled up and put some dry gas in the tank just in case. Meanwhile the check engine light kept turning on and off during the drive. I got home, disconnected the ground and waited 10 min and hooked it back up. Now the truck won't start. It tries to turn over but won't catch. I let it sit over night thinking it was flooded but it made no difference. Any suggestion? I'm really stuck here!!! Please help!

 

[ih8chevy]

Make sure the battery connections are tightened down real good. I've had that happen before. Thought I had them on good and the truck wouldn't start. After about 1/2 a turn more on the terminals... it started.

 

[bikeboarder]

if it turns over then its most likely not the batt. however the ignition system needs 9.6 volts to send a spark to the plug. sometimes there will be enough juce in the Batt. to turn over but not enough to be over 9.6 Volts. try to check the voltage while it is turning over. if it is over 9.6 the batt. is good enough to start the motor. but if it is less then 9.6 volts try to jump it. you could try to clean the MAF sencer. that could make it run rich. is the air filter clean? sound like a dumb question but mine has been dirty enough to make it die so i imagine it can keep it fron starting. In washington (state) they put ethonol in the fuel sometimes that can keep ann engine from starting. the list goes on. try to keep the batt as charged as possible the cold weather is killer on batteries.

 

[marragtop]

You need to determine if the problem is fuel or spark related. When you turn the key to the ON position, you should hear the fuel pump prime for a second or 2. If not, check the fuel pump relay and associated fuses. If you are getting fuel, check for spark at the plugs.

 

[ajay]

Thanks for the quick responses guys. The battery is brand new. About 2 weeks old. I have a multimeter I can try putting on it to see if the volts are ok. I checked and the terminal is good and tight on there. The air filter is brand new, but I was wondering if the MAF might be fouled up or bad all together. What should I use to clean that? Also, the fuel pump seems to be working. It wines for a second or two when you turn the ignition on. I pulled the intake hose and looked in the throttle body. I can see it's kinda wet inside the manifold. I smelled in there and there is a gas odor so I'm assuming it's getting fuel. Should I pull a plug and crank it to see if it's sparking? Another guy suggested starting fluid, is that worth a try?

 

[X6StringerX]

I once had a car with a bad MAF. It wouldn't start or run with the MAF plugged in, but I could unplug it and it would both start and run. When idling, it was really rich. Try unplugging the MAF to see if it will atleast start.

 

[bikeboarder]

you can clean the MAF with carb cleaner. you need a special torex bit with a hole drilled in it to take it off. if the thin wires are broken you need a new one. i bet you could get a good one at a junk yard for less then $20 and you can use the MAF out of a mustang, croun vic, or V8 explorer and you will get more power. But just like stringer said try to unplug it the check engine light will be on but it will run... hopefully.

 

[BrooklynBay]

Don't use any sprays on the MAF which are not O2 approved. Contact cleaner, and fuel injection intake spray for throttle bodies are good to use. Be careful spraying out the MAF. The internal sense wire could get damaged from the pressure of the spray can. Check this thread on MAF sensors.

 

[ajay]

Ok I checked the MAF (P.S. I had regular #2 Phillips screws on my MAF!?) and the wires were in tact. I cleaned it with brake cleaner and tried starting with and with out it plugged in and still no start. Now I know I heard the fuel pump wine when I would shut it off before, but I don't think I hear it now when I try to start it. I checked the fuse and it's not blown. Is the pump bad? Or am I crazy?

 

[BrooklynBay]

Your fuel pump relay could be defective if you don't hear the fuel pump turn on when you turn the key.

 

[X6StringerX]

Try spraying some ether (starting fluid) into your intake tube. If you're getting fire, this should allow the X to atleast start up and idle for 1-2 seconds. If it starts with the ether, I'd definately say it is in your fuel system... most likely the pump.

 

[ajay]

Ok so I got the truck to start (thanks everyone for your help!) but I'm back to the original issue. It starts up fine, runs fine, but when I turn it off it's dieseling (continues to try and run after the key is turned off) but not every time. When it does it, it will go on for 5-15 seconds. Every time it does, I hear the fuel pump wine a second AFTER the dieseling stops. Any ideas?

 

[bikeboarder]

maybe the valve that lets the fuel back in to the tank is stuck closed so when you turn the key off there is still enough pressure to pulse the injesters??? just a guess

 

[ajay]

maybe the valve that lets the fuel back in to the tank is stuck closed so when you turn the key off there is still enough pressure to pulse the injesters??? just a guess

Hmmm.... That's an idea! Where is this valve you speak of located?

 

[marragtop]

This is a bit of a shot in the dark, but an easy check.... Check the vacuum lines on the vacuum tree on the drivers side valve cover near the firewall. I've seen instances of a disconnected line that can cause your symptoms.

 

[bikeboarder]

the only reason i said that is because i used to have an 86' nissan "truck" (ha ha yeah right) and on the carb there was a anti deseling valve that releaved all fuel pressure and "turned off" the jet. that went bad. so even though there was no spark the head was hot enough to act like a glow plug an still let it desel. but only with cheep gas. so i filled it up with primium and sold it.

 

[bikeboarder]

Hmmm.... That's an idea! Where is this valve you speak of located?

Honestly i don't know. but i would imagine it is on the oppisite end of the fuel rale as the inlet from the fuel pump. ill go look at my manual and get back to you.

maybe you could try to add some octane boost to see if it somehow can increase the temp/pressure that the fuel ignites. i know it is only a quick fix that doesen't actually fix your car. but if it keeps it from deseling and only costs about $2.50 more a tank to fill up then IMO it is worth it for a while.