Problem with '01 Explorer XLT starting up...

[jrb877]

Newbie here...

So I've never had any issues with it until today. As I was about ready to hop in and drive to work, I turned the key and sounded like it was super-close to starting but didn't the first time. After trying a couple more times, it was evident that it was turning but not completely over. No dimmed lights interior/exterior-wise. It has rained consistently for the past 2 days here, but I guess that shouldn't matter (Help?)

Unfortunately, I was in a rush so I couldn't check it out right away, just peered under the hood for a quick second before leaving it. I'm @ work now (without the truck) but was weighing my possibilities for when I get back later on.

battery
battery cables (didnt look like much corrosion, if any & secured)
Alternator
fuses
spark plugs/wires

Anything else I should be checking out? Suggestions? Thanks,
-James

 

[jrb877]

Almost forgot...

There was no CEL on when trying to start...

 

[Glen4X4]

Well if your lights didn't dim or anything I think we can roll out the possibility of a bad battery or terminal issues or starter relay, did it sound like the motor/starter were turning at full speed like normal? If so one possibility is the ignition system got wet and this can cause problems.

 

[jrb877]

Yeah it did sound like it was turning at full speed (like normal) - you know how it gets when you're losing battery life, the turning gets slower and all of that, but it was normal here. Is the ignition getting wet a common problem in 2nd gen explorers?

 

[Glen4X4]

Not that I'm aware of but it is possible for something like that to happen. Someone else maybe able to chip in here and help out with some possibilities.

 

[jrb877]

Truck starts up after almost 9 hours of sitting, but...

So I finally came back from work, I turned the key to acc. position and saw the CEL come on, (I'm guessing I should still scan it for an error code) and heard the fuel pump prime for a second or two. So I proceeded to try and start it up. It struggled to turnover, (a tiny bit rough) but it started. No CEL on though. I let it warm up then I drove it around and seemed alright. I proceeded to try starting it again 2 hours later. Started up like normal.

Does it sound like a connection is loose or bad (possibly from the rain)? I'm pretty much ruling out the battery/alternator. I'm hoping its not a fuel pump or something. I wouldn't expect that with only 67K, but who knows. I'll try tomorrow morning when the engine is cold and see what happens.

Anyone else have suggestions, now that I was able to start it (although a little rough)...?

 

[Glen4X4]

Not sure....when the ignition system gets wet it can cause a vehicle not to start, if your driving along and get a big splash and water gets in the ignition system usually the vehicle will stull out right then and there. Coil pack provides spark to the plugs to start your engine, see how it starts today when its cold, and if still problems maybe try a scan on it.

 

[jrb877]

It starts up normal today

Well, seems alright to me... Started up perfectly normal after about 10 hours of sitting overnight! Although I think I'm gonna have it scanned later on just to make sure... I have only just over a 1/4 tank left now (maybe attributed to bad tank of gas?)

Btw, thanks x92Exploder for all of your help. I'll check it out and find the culprit and let ya know what happened.

 

[Glen4X4]

Your welcome, good luck with it.

 

[armymatt22]

ok similar issue

Ok 95 xlt.... try and crank and the electronic parts lights everything comes on ... the lights on the dash all come on... but it's like i gotta juggle the ignition switch to get it to actually crank... any ideas thoughts what this could possibly be. my buddy says cause i leave my cell phone charger in the DC power outlet it drains my batter... so i started taking it out and now it seems worse. along those problems my driver side window ( power window) stopped working. Had to disconnect the motor and jerry rig the window in the up possition. I also noticed that if you press more than one of the other window switches on the master panel on the driver side door; the lights dim. I'm hoping this is simply a bad battery but i've only had it for just over a year. I'm also hoping there isn't a larger problem like the wirring is going bad or something like that. Any thoughts ideas comments are more than welcome.

 

[Glen4X4]

When you refer to the ignition switch I'm assuming your talking about where you put your keys, if thats the case, could be a bad connection in your steering column, and if your battery is starting to go bad sometimes even if not, the lights may dim because all 4 window motors are working.

 

[armymatt22]

thanks

thanks for the info... what would you estimate the cost to repair the bad connection in the column or if i had to rewire or something and replace the ignition switch (yes where i put my key) since it is starting to get some real "play" in it... would this be something that pulls a code from an ODB-I PCM? battery i can fix the other stuff is getting into the unknown...

 

[armymatt22]

Figured something out ... Sending this to the top

If are having these sorts of problems, check your solenoid the nuts on the wires going into your ignition solenoid could be loose. Just grab a 14mm wrench and tighten it. Dont tighten it to tight be cause parts of it are plastica and could crack and breaks