DudeFreezing
New Member
- Joined
- August 18, 2011
- Messages
- 2
- Reaction score
- 0
- City, State
- Golden, CO
- Year, Model & Trim Level
- 1996
I have a 1996 Ford Explorer V6. I am no mechanic but trying to learn how to fix my own problems. I guess you could call me an internet mechanic. My Explorer will not start...
One cold day my car stopped starting. The next day I went out, it wasn't quite as cold, and it started up. I took it to get gas and at the gas station it would not restart. It would only start if I used starting fluid, however it would die once the starting fluid burned out. I towed it back to my house and there it sat for 6 months. Tried starting many more times and did some internet research to see what I could find out. All signs seemed to point to fuel pump. I was laid off, so I did not have any money to fix it.
Two weeks ago, for nothing better to do, I went out and tried to start it. It started right up. I let it run for 30 minutes. Tried restarting and it started again. For one week I started it throughout the day successfully every time. So this week I got insurance for it, got an emissions, and registered the license plates. My wife took it to work after we took it to the mountains fishing the night before, no problems. Today she gets home from driving it, we load our fishing gear in the car, start it, sputter down the driveway and it dies. Explorer will not start again?
I have replaced the fuel pump relay and checked the automatic fuel shutoff. I cannot smell gas when trying to start. I listen for the pump to kick on but cannot hear it, although I could not hear it when it would start. That was one thing I checked when it was starting, because originally that is what I thought it was. Tomorrow I am going to replace the fuel filter, as I have never done that before and owned this vehicle for 10+ years. I have little faith that is what it is. Are there any suggestions before replacing the fuel pump?
One cold day my car stopped starting. The next day I went out, it wasn't quite as cold, and it started up. I took it to get gas and at the gas station it would not restart. It would only start if I used starting fluid, however it would die once the starting fluid burned out. I towed it back to my house and there it sat for 6 months. Tried starting many more times and did some internet research to see what I could find out. All signs seemed to point to fuel pump. I was laid off, so I did not have any money to fix it.
Two weeks ago, for nothing better to do, I went out and tried to start it. It started right up. I let it run for 30 minutes. Tried restarting and it started again. For one week I started it throughout the day successfully every time. So this week I got insurance for it, got an emissions, and registered the license plates. My wife took it to work after we took it to the mountains fishing the night before, no problems. Today she gets home from driving it, we load our fishing gear in the car, start it, sputter down the driveway and it dies. Explorer will not start again?
I have replaced the fuel pump relay and checked the automatic fuel shutoff. I cannot smell gas when trying to start. I listen for the pump to kick on but cannot hear it, although I could not hear it when it would start. That was one thing I checked when it was starting, because originally that is what I thought it was. Tomorrow I am going to replace the fuel filter, as I have never done that before and owned this vehicle for 10+ years. I have little faith that is what it is. Are there any suggestions before replacing the fuel pump?
I hooked up the fuel pressure gauge and nothing. I even tried to build pressure by spraying some starter fluid in the carb to get the engine cranking. I will replace the fuel filter and attempt to replace the pump $140 at Auto Zone. I will let you know how it goes.
