Starting Issues

[Bacho]

Hey everyone, I did a search for this, most of the posts were different than the problem i'm currently having.

I have a 98 explorer, it's currently stuck in a Home Depot parking lot. (not one the WORST places one could get stuck) It's turning over, and everything electrical (minus the stock stereo unit) is working. But the head unit display has been going in and out since it was first owned. Everything else electrical works fine. Battery is fine, tested it. I thought it was the plugs, since i went up at night to check it out and saw sparks coming from the wires whenever the ignition was turned. So I changed all plugs and wires and it is still not working. Took one of the plugs out, tested it to see if a spark was coming out when I tried to start it, no spark. Which i was told could be the Coil Pack. Does anyone have any advice on what else this could be?

Thanks everyone.

 

[Joe Fast]

If you were seeing sparks from the arcing wires, you were getting power the questions is how much juice is being put out. If you do not get any spark when grounding the plug to the block or head then check all your new wires and connections. If all is well with that then see about the coilpack.


JOE

 

[drussian409]

The other question is if you are getting fuel to the motor. Starting problems can be simple or realy complex. If you are getting a good spark from ALL of the plugs then it is more than likely a diferent problem. With todays computers in cars there is alot that can go wrong but check the simple stuff first. Spark Fuel air.

 

[Bacho]

Ok so I got it towed to a shop. Just got a call this morning. Apparently it started right up for them. Now it isn't starting again. My "theft" light is blinking rapidly. According to the shop, this could be a problem with my alarm system. The truck may think the alarm is going off. I'm supposed to get a call back here soon, so hopefully I'll know more then. Anyone know of this situation happening before?

 

[DeRocha]

Does the Anti-Theft light stay on after you move the key to the run position? On my wife's windstar the engine will not crank with the anti-theft light on.. It has the patsII key chip thing and I have an extra key (not programmed yet). The key works fine, but the computer will not engage the starter.

 

[Bacho]

not sure about the "theft" light staying on after the key is in the run position. From what i've gathered so far, the key i'm using (only one i have) may not be programed anymore, hence why it suddenly wouldn't start. I bought the truck from PAExplorer on this forum, so i'm trying to get in touch with him now to see if he has an extra key, that way i can see if that one works. Also, I called "Sterling Ford" out near me, to see about what they could do. The official response I got was that they didn't work on alarms, even stock ones. They outsourced that type of work, and suggested I take the truck to Circuit City. I'm not kidding. But if it is a programing issue with the keys, they could make me another key, and reprogram the keys and the computer system. But if that isnt' it, then I have to move the truck (tow it) somewhere ELSE and then I wouldn't even know where to go. I've never heard of this type of problem before, so I'm pretty much at a loss as to where to turn.

 

[Willie]

Had same problem with my 1997 truck, would not start, had breakdown people out and they said there was no spark so got it towed to garage. They told me it started everytime - all day. So a few days later it would not start. when it souldn't start I used to turn the key a few time quickly and on fourth turn it would start. So I swapped the engine management relay for the air con relay (as they are the same) and it has started ever since. You will find the two relays together with the fuses in the engine compartment on the left (they are five pin ones) Its worth trying that anyway.

 

[Bacho]

Yeah I asked the shop about the engine management system. They were pretty insistant on the fact that it was the key. Mainly because all of the codes they are getting back are theft deterant codes. The shop is telling me the truck is in "safe mode". I also went up there and tried fooling around with some of it myself. When the key is in the "run" position the anti theft light still blinks rapidly. I also asked about the posibility of the key fob battery going bad, and only unlocking the doors and not disarming the alarm. Shop's response was that if the battery has enough power to lock and unlock the doors everytime without fail, it still IS a possibility that could be the problem, but not likely. Right now i'm going to call to a few more Ford dealerships, see what they say. I'm leaning towards towing it there, and seeing what they can do about gettnig me two new keys and reprograming the system. I'll keep you guys informed. Also, thanks for all your replys and suggestions.

 

[DeRocha]

Fyi you can get replacement keys on ebay for cheap $$. Pats key link

 

[Bacho]

DeRocha, thanks for the link. Yeah i just ordered some blank keys off ebay just before I saw your post. And it has step by step instructions on how to program the keys. Probablem IS....I need 1 good key to program the other two. So it looks like I have no choice but to send the truck to Ford to get them to program the two i buy and get cut. This sucks, but I guess I should have been proactive about getting another key made in the first place.

 

[DeRocha]

Maybe you can check around to see if a locksmith has the equipment and can do it cheaper.. I imagine some will have it otherwise how can they help people that have lost their keys? The 2000+ vehicles came with a patsII system. It sucks worse because you need 2 working keys in order to program a new key (They did it to prevent a valet or anyone that has you key from programming new ones). Its a good idea, but most people (like me) had no idea until the wife lost her key.. IMO the dealer should give you 3 keys or at the very least tell you the consequences of loosing a key down the road.

 

[Bacho]

Yeah I agree, that's something that you really need to know so you can take the appropriate action. I called another local Ford dealer last night (Ted Britt Ford) in fairfax, va. I've dealt with them before on anothe vehicle. From what the service tech said, he has seen this before, but when this happens it's supposed to completely kill the starter, and the car shouldn't be turning at all. Which mine is. That's a good idea about the locksmith, i'll give one a call today to see if they are familiar. If I only had one other good key, this wouldn't be a big deal, but since one key has to be reprogramed, I have a feeling Ford is the only one with the capability to do that. I'll keep you guys informed on what happens.