My vehicles doesn't start when it's hot, but will start when it cools down.

[bladescape]

I registered on the site due to a problem with my 96 explorer. I figured someone here must have the same problem at some point or other the truck is fairly old. I am having a hard time searching the site to find the problem could some one please help.

 

[That911guy]

What kind of problem do you seem to be having?

 

[BrooklynBay]

Welcome to this forum!

 

[1Aauto]

welcome to the site

 

[bladescape]

the truck will not start when it is hot. If I wait 20 minutes or so and wait for it to cool off it will start just fine. I changed the fuel filter, coolant sensor, spark plugs and wires, checked the air filter and ran out of ideas. Please help.

 

[BrooklynBay]

I've renamed your thread, and moved it into the stock 95-01 section. Does it have any stored codes?

 

[bladescape]

yes it does. it has a code for a high bank catalyst sensor.

 

[Will96]

fuel pump relay! I promise. Its a little black, cube looking, fuse under the hood with all the other fuses. Its cheap and I have to get a new one about every two years.

 

[bladescape]

I thought it might be that the first time. I tried swapping it for one of the other ones as they all had the same part number. Unless you think they all could be bad.

 

[Will96]

yea, I would try a new one. the other could be bad too. they're cheap so its ok.

 

[iwannabamedic]

IF that is not it maybe the crank sensor or cam sensor My .02

 

[jd944]

The next time it happens, try spraying a little starting fluid into the intake boot. If it starts and then stalls, it's fuel related, i.e. pump,relay. If it doesn't, it's probably ignition related.

 

[hondakillah]

My belief is the starter. My 90 Ranger had the same problem, until I replaced the starter. The actuator on the starter doesn't work so well when it's warm and won't let you crank the engine.

 

[Blueraven]

I don't have a lot of experience with Fords, but I once had the same problem on a Buick.

The car would start fine and then after a period of time when at idle such as at a stop sign it would just die and not restart. Also, sometimes when I shut it off it wouldn't restart.

After about 20 minutes or so, the car would start right back up and could go some time before the problem came back.

My problem turned out to be a small circuit card assembly (I don't recall it's name) that was attached to the distributor. Whenever it would get hot it would fail thus preventing spark.

Obviously something is heating up. I don't know if you have a "u-pull-it" junk yard near you or have a friend that has the same vehicle, but you may be faced with just throwing parts at it.

Next time this happens, check to see if you've got spark. If you do, then the problem is associated with fuel. Perhaps the fuel pump is over-heating.

Remember you need three things for an engine to run; spark, fuel, and air. If you have all three the engine will run, if you're missing one of them it will not.

Good luck,
Blueraven