Trouble starting!

[kevin1]

Hello all, I'm new to this fourm, and I got a bit of a problem! I have a 1998 Explorer XLT 4.0 SOCH. Over the past two years I've been having a starting problem. Usually it runs fine then at times it just cranks and wont start. after is sits for a couple days it starts again until it wants to act up again! I had it towed to a shop, and later they requested the spare key. By the time I got there it started up for them. They thought it might be the security deal thats in the steering colum that matches up with the key. Its been runnung for about 4 months and now and it's acting up again. I dont drive it all the time. It was running about a week ago. Today I hooked up an inline spark plug light to one of the plug wires. While it was cranking there was no spark. Also the theft light on the dash just fashes like it always has. (I was told if it was steady lit that could be the problem) Any help would be GREAT!

Thanks
Kevin

 

[BrooklynBay]

Welcome to this forum! I've moved your thread into the stock 95-01 section. Do a search on PATS.

 

[BobWiersema]

If there was a problem with a key or the pick-up module in the steering column, code 1260 will be stored in the ECU. This will not set the check engine light, but the code will remain in the ECU until cleared with a scan tool. So, if you dont have a code 1260, you have a different problem. If you do have a 1260 it most likely is the module in the steering column, kind of a common problem in 98. I had mine replaced years ago.

Bob

 

[kevin1]

Thanks for the reply. I saw a post about the crank sensor. It had a bunch of grease and dirt on it that I cleaned off. I'm not sure if that was the problem, but it started right up as soon as I cleaned it off!