My wife's 98 won't always start

[TWolf]

Our 98 explorer has a problem of not always starting. We had it towed in the first time to the mechanic and it sat there and a little while later when they got to it, it started. They kepted it over night and tried it through out the day and still no problem. The next time, after trying for several times, it started and ran for a few weeks. Took it in to the mechanic and they said that they need it when it won't start but to listen for the fuel pump noise. You can't here it because of the key chime.

The third and last time which has been about 6 weeks ago, I called the mechanic, but they were to busy to go look at it. So I went back and told my wife that I would pull the gas cap off and listen for the fuel pump. It then started with no problem. Put the gas cap back on and it has ran good since then. The mechanic said that it sounds as if the fuel pump is going out, but without testing, they don't know.

The gas guage has always had a problem of registering strange. When you fill it up, it only says about 3/4 of a tank. That is after you top it off several times. After running it and then turning it off, the guage says full. It will bounce all around. This also the mechanic says could be the fuel pump. Someone on the FTE site said that it could be a relay but didn't respond as to where the relay might be. He said that it is an easy fix and cheap. But where is the relay, other than at a parts store?

Any help would be great before my wife decides to cut something off me for not getting it fixed.

Tom

 

[sabatosh]

I suspect the ignition switch, you have a problem with wear in the switch, I bet the truck is used for a lot of short off/on trips. Like daily driver, in this case the switch wears out, and you start to get electrical gremlins like the fuel sensor meter on the cluster. Replace the switch...only solution...relay either works or it don't it's just a magnetic switch that closes when small voltage is applied to carry bigger voltage to a terminal.

 

[Blee1099]

Welcome to the site.. Let the fuel pump prime before starting.. Usually turning the key to on and letting it sit and then turning it off and then cranking it should resolve your issues. I would highly recommend doing a fuel pressure test on the truck along with checking/replacing the fuel filter. Also please reduce your signature down to 6 lines or less.

 

[TPLYNCH]

Next time, wait until the chime stops to turn the key to on and listen for the pump. If you don't hear it, pop the hood, open the black relay box and with the key in the on position wiggle the Fuel Pump relay while listening for the pump to turn whine. If it starts whining, the relay/contacts need to be changed/cleaned.