How To Replace Fuel Shut Off Switch

[xavierw]

After suffering from intermittent slow then no starts, I discovered that the inertial fuel switch doesn't "latch" and remain depressed when you press it. The vehicle will start most times when you hold the switch down when starting it but now even that doesn't assure a quick start.

I've decided to replace the switch and was hoping that someone here has already broken the code on this and might have posted a "How-to" thread here. So far, no luck.

If someone has done it and can offer some pearls of wisdom that I can follow to do it without the trial and error that Thursday or Friday will find me doing, please post a reply.

Thanks!

X-Man

 

[swshawaii]

Disconnect battery ground. Remove switch connector and screws. Replace.
If it takes more than five minutes, you're doing something wrong.

http://www.explorerforum.com/forums/showpost.php?p=2592802&postcount=8

 

[xavierw]

So True!

Being the impatient cuss that I am, I decided to give it a go and see how far I'd get. It took me a llittle more than 4 minutes and THAT only because one of the TWO screws that hold it in place slipped out of my hand and rolled under the vehicle!

Procedure:
1) Removed side panel in passenger's foot rest area.
2) Remove the TWO screws holding the inertial switch in place.
3) Release the plastic retaining tab and pull the old inertial switch oout of its seat.
4) Replace it with the new one and ensure it is properly seated and the retaining tab locked in place with a click.
5) Replace the side panel.
6) Call it a day.

The part cost me about $50.

Unfortunately, that didn't solve the problem. It's still doing the same things so I'm thinking it has to be the fuel pump. That WON'T be a $50, 4 minute repair. :-(

X-Man

 

[swshawaii]

Ouch! Have you changed the fuel filter yet? A clogged one can really tax a fuel pump.
Check engine light or trouble codes? Would hate to see you change the pump and fail.

 

[xavierw]

The End of The Story

Thanks for the advice SWSHAWAII.

I didn't check the fuel filter personally but did have a trusted mechanic look at that FIRST before moving on to the fuel pump. While the filter was dirty, it wasn't clogged enough to reduce the flow by more than 20%.

The check Engine light codes also revealed a fuel pump issue (among others).

The end of the story is that the fuel pump had failed. It was replaced, as was the fuel filter, and all is as it should be. I wish I hadn't paid for a replacement inertial switch but hindsight....

Thanks to all of you who wrote with suggestions and instructions. I appreciate all of the inputs.

This thread can officially be "closed". (If that's possible!) ;-)

X-Man