Weird starting problem

[wyochimneysweep]

try a cam sensor. on many of the diesel engine i work on its been a cam sensor that not strong enough to produce a singal. or maybe the crank. i'd try the cam sensor if i were u.

 

[NoogaX]

Al - have you checked for excessive back pressure? Take out the o2 sensors and see if it cranks. Just another thought.

 

[JDraper]

If you've got fuel (to the cylinder), spark and air, then I would suspect a crank or cam position sensor to be bad as has been mentioned above. If one of those two is giving erroneous data, it will supply the spark at the wrong time in the ignition cycle and could cause the 'old carbureted' motor feeling.

Have you pulled a plug to verify that the fuel is actually getting to the cylinder? Just because you have fuel pressure doesn't mean the injectors are firing correctly.

 

[aldive]

Al - have you checked for excessive back pressure? Take out the o2 sensors and see if it cranks. Just another thought.

I seriously doubt this is an issue. The truck runs like a scalded dog when it starts and it performed flawlessly during the recent Atlanta run ( got over 30 MPG ).

 

[TedJ]

Try some starting fluid, see if it will pop a few times, then you know you have a fuel problem. Try putting a noid light on and seeing if the injectors are firing, or if you cant do that then pull a plug and see if it's wet or not. It sounds like you have some type of issue getting fuel into the cylinders....

A wild guess now.. check for obstructions or cracks in the intake piping, maybe try with the MAF disconnected?

 

[Turdle]

Al, I don't know if you remember or not when I was having this same issue-
My truck was dead for over 2 weeks while I tried to regain my composure-I had checked everything. Even starting fluid into the throttle body resulted in only an intake backfire.
All I did, and I swear on this, was change the oil. I haven't had the issue since.

I don't know if there was too many fuel vapors in there or something, But it went from dead to starting right up. All I did was change oil.

Also-this may seem a silly question-
have you checked all of the emissions and engine control circuits and fuses?

 

[aldive]

Also-this may seem a silly question-
have you checked all of the emissions and engine control circuits and fuses?

Yes, I have and all test normal.

There must be a wiring issues somewhere.

Any other ideas guys?

Tanks ....

 

[rob17san]

Sounds like you may have a trip to the dealer on your hands.

 

[JDraper]

Going back to Jon's comments about changing oil. Do you have an oil level sensor in the truck? If so, have you checked to see if it's functioning properly?

I'm working off a faded memory on this one, but if I remember correctly, some of the Explorers have an oil level sensor that prevent it from starting if the oil level is too low (or the sensor malfunctions.)

 

[aldive]

Jeff, there is no oil level sensor in my truck. Further, the oil level is perfect; the truck has never used any oil whatsoever.

This situation really has me perplexed. I am at a loss.

Please keep the ideas coming.

Thanks ....

 

[Turdle]

Jeff, there is no oil level sensor in my truck. Further, the oil level is perfect; the truck has never used any oil whatsoever.

This situation really has me perplexed. I am at a loss.

Please keep the ideas coming.

Thanks ....

Al
did you change the oil?

Did you verify the spark timing with your timing light?

 

[aldive]

Al
did you change the oil?

No, I have at least another 15k miles before a change.

Did you verify the spark timing with your timing light?

No.

 

[Turdle]

It goes against all I know also-
I changed my oil, and it fired right up. No issue since. I have done about 3 changes since.

but you know about me and oil changes

Try draining that Amsoil into a clean tub, put some cheap stuff in and see what happens.

I know it makes no sense-but I have gotten over it-try it.

 

[aldive]

Sorry Jon but that goes against any logic I can think of. Don't think I shall do anything with the oil.

But I never say never

 

[aldive]

Did you verify the spark timing with your timing light?

How would I do that?

 

[Jakee]

Bad fuel; water in the tank?

Check the engine coil?

Check plugs?

Vacuum leaks?

One more shot in the dark; dissconnect the battery for 15 minutes to reset the learned fuel trims.

 

[aldive]

Bad fuel; water in the tank?

Fuel is fine. Truck ran great on this same tank of gas prior to whatever happened to initiate the no start issue.

Check the engine coil?

Coil pack is fine. Removed it and installed another one I have on the shelf; still no joy. Tested the coil pack on a friends truck and it performed fine.

Check plugs?

Plugs look perfect.

Vacuum leaks?

Doubtful. There were none when it was running.

Thanks for the suggestions ...

 

[Turdle]

I'm going to jump out there and be you for a minute--

Why don't you take my suggestion. If you had we'd know if it was an issue by now-
I'm telling you-no BS here. My truck was dead. No start. Nothing but run the battery down trying, recharge and try again.
I don't think you are giving me enough credit here Al. Like I said, it went against all logic-but it did fire right up.
If you don't try it I am going to hound ya till you do--

 

[aldive]

I'm telling you-no BS here. My truck was dead. No start. Nothing but run the battery down trying, recharge and try again.
I don't think you are giving me enough credit here Al. Like I said, it went against all logic-but it did fire right up.

I don't doubt what you are saying, my friend, however, I bet your oil change was just a weird coincidence.

If you don't try it I am going to hound ya till you do--

Ok, Jon, I am desperate and have a little time now. I shall go do an oil change. I have oil and filters ( including the very expensive bypass filter ) on hand.

Let you know soon.

I bet the farm it Will make no difference.

 

[Turdle]

If not-at least I will quit suggesting it.
In the meantime-there should be timing marks on the crank pulley-the alignment marker is part of the crank position sensor bracket-
Attach the timing light to the number 1 wire-have someone crank the engine or use a remote starter-while you pont the timing light at the crank pulley-just like the old days
watch the timing mark-you should see the lines, which correspond to timing advance or retard angles printed on the outer edge.