No start when hot on a 96 Explorer XLT 4.0.

[nhill]

hey guys, newbie here....

I have been reading in the forums for what seems like forever now trying to find a solution for my problem and to no avail. Figured I'd post and see what magic you guys can bring...

The truck starts up great every morning and if it sits for about an hour after running, there is no problems either. If I start is right after a shut off, it'll start up then as well.

If I try to start it between, let's say, ten minutes to that magic hour, it won't start. It turns and cranks great. The first unsuccessful try, it will start, sputter, and die quickly leaving me to crank for up to an hour if I am persistent.

I have replaced plugs, wires, Coolant Temp Sensor, Air Intake Sensor, Fuel filter, as well as the fuel pump relay. I have also checked the pressure at the schrader valve when this happens and plenty of fuel sprays out(all over me of course.) I've also cleaned the Idle air control valve to make it like new. It did throw a code for a day. I changed an 02 sensor in accordance to the code (don't remember it off hand.)

I really don't want to take it to a shop due to my stubbornness and determination, yeah, that's it. My girlfriend and I have been researching and are kind of at a loss. Any help guess would be AWSOME....

Nick

 

[BrooklynBay]

Welcome to this forum! Do you hear the fuel pump prime when you have the no start condition? Does the check engine light go on when you turn the key to the accessory position when this occurs? It could be a PCM relay, corroded ground connection or a bad fuel pump.

 

[Tbars4]

...No need to start 2 threads...
http://www.explorerforum.com/forums/showthread.php?t=231369

 

[BrooklynBay]

The second thread was just deleted. Thanks for pointing this out.

 

[nhill]

Welcome to this forum! Do you hear the fuel pump prime when you have the no start condition? Does the check engine light go on when you turn the key to the accessory position when this occurs? It could be a PCM relay, corroded ground connection or a bad fuel pump.

The fuel pump primes each and every time. The check engine light turns on as it is supposed to in the accessory postion. I have not changed the PCM relay and am not sure of how to go about checking the ground connection. Thanks for the repsonse

 

[PeterJ]

I am by no means an expert on this truck, but here are some ideas.

First off, how to check for grounds: You will need a multi meter. If you don't have one, they can be found for around $5. Harbor Frieght sells Centech brand ones on sale for <$4. I have one in the house, one in the service truck, one in the shop, one in the old boat... Check around the engine compartment for wires that are connected to the frame, body, or engine block. These are ground wires. Put your multimeter in the lowest ohms setting and after checking your meter by putting the leads together, poke one lead into the exposed wire end of the ground wire at the grounding point. Now, connect the other lead to a good contact point on the engine block. There should be close to 0 Ohms of resistance, just like when you checked to see if the multimeter is working. If you get a high number or no number (to infinity, and beyond!) then the connection between the ground wire and ground point is bad. Usually this ends up being between the ground point bolt and the wire terminal. Remove the bolt/screw and clean it and the terminal connector up with a scotch brite pad and some WD-40.

I think you should check for spark when your truck is not starting. Remove one wire and put a spare spark plug in it. Ground the threaded portion of the plug to the engine block and crank the engine. I would suspect you have no spark. Crank position sensors used to pull these same shannigans on Jeep Cherokees with the 4.0 I-6 motor. I don't know your motor well enough to know what generates the spark timing. But I bet you can find the answer on this forum!

Best wishes,
PeterJ