Starts fine...then dies right away.

[cdub05]

I have a 01 Sport with the 4.0 SOHC. I tried installing a TBS, but it was the wrong size, so I thought I had everything set back exactly where it was stock. About 2 hours later I went to drive the explorer, and it starts just fine, but then dies about instantly. Im guessing by the fact I messed with the trottle body that it isnt getting air for some reason. Oh and the check engine light came on as well. I looked and everything apears from the outside to be snug and connected. I dont know what I could have done???? Please help so I dont have to get it towed then pay someone to check the code, and then it ends up being something really simple. Thanks in advance!

 

[MountaineerGreen]

Sounds like your IAC, or you left something unplugged. I have seen a MAF unplugged not allow an engine to run. Double check your sensor plugs, search IAC, clean that and try again.

 

[ExplorerDMB]

Did you mess with the Throttle Position Sensor atall?

-Drew

 

[aldive]

I too fell that you have an IAC problem.

 

[Minivek]

How about on a 94 Ex with the OHV (obviously) sometimes I'll start the truck, goes up to regular startup rpm then rpms slowly go down to 0 in 2-3 seconds. When I restart it (starts up right away) its alright and will keep going with standard rpms and all. could it be the IAC as well? Last year I also got a whistling sound once in a while when it got reaaally cold.
Thanks for the help.

 

[cdub05]

I too fell that you have an IAC problem.

Could you explain this to me a little better, im no mechanic at all, but if I know better what this problem could be I can explain it to a friend who should be able to check for these things. I dont think I messed with any sensors, unless something got bumped that I didnt notice. btw I didnt unplug anything.

Also, could it be possible for the butterfly to be stuck shut or something on the throttle body? My dad thought that could be...but again we arent the best mechanics.

 

[Minivek]

I don't think it's related to the throttle plate stuck shut (It should mainly be activated when you press the gas peddle), When the engine is idling the IAC bypasses air around the the throttle body housing in order for the truck to vary its idle speed according to engine temperature etc. Also if you start it and press the gas (once started) does it still die or do rpms go up??

 

[Minivek]

I also know some IAC's start sticking after a while, and they can't open freely enough in order to allow correct idle air flow, and stalls the engine. I thought cleaning mine would help but it still happens every now and then

 

[cdub05]

I don't think it's related to the throttle plate stuck shut (It should mainly be activated when you press the gas peddle), When the engine is idling the IAC bypasses air around the the throttle body housing in order for the truck to vary its idle speed according to engine temperature etc. Also if you start it and press the gas (once started) does it still die or do rpms go up??

If you give it gas the rpms will go up a little, but it takes alot of gas to keep it going at all, and it usually dies within a second or two after you let off the gas. So even giving it gas wont keep it going. It definitely isnt getting air. So what can I do to this IAC, or what does it look like so I can check and see if thats the problem? Sorry about this, just really frustrating.

 

[cdub05]

ok I found a thread about the IAC, so I understand a little better now. But how did me unscrewing the trottle body affect this? Before I messed with this, I had no problems or rough idle, everything ran perfectly.

 

[Glacier991]

The fact you have a check engine light means you threw a code, which will pinpoint the "system" causing a probpem. In your case it will probably tell the whole story. Read the code.

 

[Minivek]

If I remember correctly the IAC holes line up wether its installed correctly or reversed, perhaps you need to flip it around to get to work right, cuz theoretically if everything was reinstalled correctly, there's no reason why it would throw a code now. Also, mine had a small gasket between the IAC and the throttle body, was it put back on? or maybe its cracked??

 

[cdub05]

If I remember correctly the IAC holes line up wether its installed correctly or reversed, perhaps you need to flip it around to get to work right, cuz theoretically if everything was reinstalled correctly, there's no reason why it would throw a code now. Also, mine had a small gasket between the IAC and the throttle body, was it put back on? or maybe its cracked??

ill try that. that is what im hoping, that I somehow didnt get something lined up right.

I know on my dodge you could read the codes by turning the key 3 times, do explorers have a trick like this? After being able to check my own I hate to have ford do it for $60-$70. But if thats what it takes I guess ill have to.

 

[ExplorerDMB]

You need that code. Either push it to Autozone or make friends with someone who has a scanner. Can you rent a scanner from autozone?

-Drew

 

[cdub05]

well im going to have a friend look at it hopefully tomorrow, and if he has no idea i guess ill tow it to the ford dealer and take it like a man, lol. thanks a ton for all the advice, hopefully i can figure something out with it.

 

[gijoecam]

My money's on the TPS... Odds are you disconnected it when you removed the TB to put ont he useless spacer, and something happened during the reassembly... popped a fuse, or the sensor just took a dive would be my best guesses.

I had the exact same symptoms on my 98 when it was a week old... the TPS took a dive.

The code stored should pinpoint the issue.

-Joe

 

[cdub05]

My money's on the TPS... Odds are you disconnected it when you removed the TB to put ont he useless spacer, and something happened during the reassembly... popped a fuse, or the sensor just took a dive would be my best guesses.

I had the exact same symptoms on my 98 when it was a week old... the TPS took a dive.

The code stored should pinpoint the issue.

-Joe

after being away from the explorer all weekend, today i finally got a chance to look it over. I feel like an idiot. Pretty sure I stretched the throttle cable a little when I did this, causing it to die after it starts. There is definitely some slack, so hopefully by fixing the slack this should solve the problem.

 

[97greenmonster]

Maby its the lower intake manifold gasket. I went to look at a truck that did the same thing, it had a new IAC, but it sputtered and died and you had to give it alot of gas to keep alive, but it would die eventualy. I think its that
00M12 thing.

 

[gijoecam]

Naaah... that wouldn't happen all-of-a-sudden at the same time as he was playin' with it...

Slack in the throttle cable is normal. There should be a little bit. It should not be tight from the start.

 

[97greenmonster]

Thats what i thought, just thought id throw that out there!