What is this ?

[micke_932]

This morning my Explorer 97 (SOHC 4 V6) refused to start, it cranked but no life at all, after som checking I noticed a cable with a small black component at the end, shaped like a U about 2x2x1 cm with a metal bracket with a hole (for a screw), this was hanging in the air behind the coil pack.

When I grounded the bracked on that thing I got it to fire again so I just used one of the mounting screws on the coil pack to get it grounded and then it started fine.

The problem is I cannot figure out where this thing should be originally, I do not find any holes or anything but it is possible it is somewhere behind the coil pack, I will remove it tomorrow and have a look.

If any one has a clue to what this little thing is it would be nice to know, there are some number on it but it was a little to dark to check them out today, I will do that also tomorrow.

I am not sure where the cable is going, it goes down behind the coil pack so I have not found the other end yet.

 

[badge49]

Picture? I'll compare it to mine (should be identical)

 

[rwenzing]

From the size and location, it sounds like the Radio Noise Suppression capacitor. It is usually held down by one of the coilpack mounting bolts but I've never actually looked at a 97 Ex.

 

[micke_932]

I thought it might be for radio interference also, but I do not understand why it would be needed to get a spark in that case if it is removed the engine does not start.

I will see if I can get a picture of it tomorrow.

 

[micke_932]

Ok, here is an image of the little thing:

Sorry about the quality (or lack of it), cell phone camera.

The text on it reads: F67F-18801-BA
And below that: PBT-6F30

I do not think it has to do with radio interference because the cable goes into the same cable cluster as the cables for the injectors down to the intake manifold and not into the firewall, but I guess it is some kind of interference filter.

Anyway, as I said I got it back running when I grounded that little black thing, but it runs like an old dog, the idle is pretty ok even though a little lower then before, but as soon as you put som load on the engine, accelerating for example it sounds like it only runs on 3 cylinders or so but as soon as I stop accelerating and just run at constant speed it sounds ok, same thing when I reach an uphill and have to put down the accelerator a little it sounds like crap again. I have poked around but I have not found and lose vacuum hoses or anything like that so if any one have experienced the same thing I am open to ideas...

 

[arod]

From the size and location, it sounds like the Radio Noise Suppression capacitor. It is usually held down by one of the coilpack mounting bolts but I've never actually looked at a 97 Ex.

Correct

 

[badge49]

I found this, check out #4:http://www.explorerforum.com/forums/showthread.php?t=208247&highlight=noise+suppressor

I looked in my own engine bay...where's mine?

 

[micke_932]

If you have one (not all explorers got one) it is behind the coil pack (between the coil pack and the firewall)

 

[Willard]

Mine is about half way down the coil pack bracket.