Where do I start? | Page 2 | Ford Explorer Forums - Serious Explorations

  • Register Today It's free!

Where do I start?

I'm not quite sure where my throttle position sensor is located at...can someone point me in that direction?

I'm going to get a new set of plug wires tomorrow...something tells me that #3 wire might be causing a problem..

I did notice today while runnin some errands that it seems to run fine when it's cool or not warmed up...but if it's hot outside or if the engine is up to running temperature, it's runnin crappy..
 



Join the Elite Explorers for $20 each year.
Elite Explorer members see no advertisements, no banner ads, no double underlined links,.
Add an avatar, upload photo attachments, and more!
.





I had a problem similar to what you describe. Did a basic tune up, changed the plugs and wires and the air filter and the hiccuping, sputtering and coughing went away. When was the last time it was tuned up? When I pulled the air filter, the thing was filthy, looked as if it hadn' been changed in years. I think that was a large part of the problem. The truck ran much better after that. Just a suggestion.:thumbsup:
 






the TPS is located right on the throttle body, it works with the TBs butterfly flap, its on the oposite side of ware the trottle cables hook up,
theres a pic of it, its from a nissan, so it looks totally differant, but the location is the same
 

Attachments

  • nissan%20throttle%20body.jpg
    nissan%20throttle%20body.jpg
    41.8 KB · Views: 158






my escort weould act ok some days, and then others get really bad, it was a frustrating prossess
 






Well yesterday I replaced the plug wires to no avail...but I did notice that it stutters more after it's been driven awhile...

In other words...I drove home last night from ball games to the babysitters to pick up some chitlens...it's about 20 miles from the field to her house..the X drove perfectly...turned the key off...got the kids loaded up...got back in and fired the X up...stuttered the rest of the way home (about 5 miles)..

if the TPS is bad...wouldnt it do it all the time instead of select times?

I guess I'm going to see what they run, but at this point, we're gettin tired of replacin parts and nothin workin...LOL
 






Well I broke down and replaced the TPS .. added some SeaFoam for the Oil/Gas lines (for the lifter and the possible water in the lines)..

Do you need to reset the computer to re-learn the new TPS, or can you just install and go?

I'll give you an update later once we drive it around awhile.
 






im not sure about reseting the computer, u might just take the neg. cable off the bater and see if it will do it right away, i think i shoulda done that, cause mine took a few days to fix, im guessing the computer relearned it after being in safe mode. im hoping that fixed it, it deff sounded like an electrical failure.
 






Well here it is .. day 2 with the new TPS and a newly seafoamed engine/gas tank...and it's still cuttin out bad...

Drove yesterday about 30 miles roundtrip and yet again, it stumbles...

I'm runnin out of ideas..the only thing I think would be left is the coil pack?
 






u could grab one from the bone yard, cheaper and a good chance taht its a working pack. cause they are not exactly cheap. hope it gets fixed, sucks to see an ex in trubble
 






another thing, have u checked the plugs?? tahts another issue ive seen with theise symptoms. grab a cheap set of autolites at walmart, before u get the coiol pack, cause they are dirt cheap.
 












it could be, get u a fuel pressure guage, one that u can read from inside the cab, take it for a spin and see if ur pressure drops when it stumbles.
 






Try powerbraking it. If it seems to miss more as you increase the throttle, that again points to plugs/wires/coil and away from fuel problem. Next try raising the RPMs slowly in park. If is seems to misfire more at higher RPMs you're looking more at the fuel or air end of things, or possibly a sensor.

If it's looking like plugs/wires/coil, try spraying first the coil, then the wires and then the plugs with a fine mist of glass cleaner to see if that induces poor running. Note where you were spraying when it makes it run badly. Also, don't let the airborne mist touch you as it can give you a nice zap.

Also, when you're seeing it run badly as you accelerate while driving, try downshifting one gear. Let us know it that changes anything.
 






Also, when you're seeing it run badly as you accelerate while driving, try downshifting one gear. Let us know it that changes anything.

I'll see what happens with the RPM deal...I do know that if I apply full pedal, it tends to cut out more, but if I let off and say, apply half pedal, it doesn't do it nearly as much.
 






I'll see what happens with the RPM deal...I do know that if I apply full pedal, it tends to cut out more, but if I let off and say, apply half pedal, it doesn't do it nearly as much.

You can skip that, the RPMs are going down. Try the powerbraking (In Drive with Brake applied) and the raising RPM in park and downshifting while driving.

After rereading this thread I fully expect to see the powerbraking shows little if anything and the downshifting while driving showing a negative effect. If so you're goilng to be looking at a fuel volume issue such as the clogged filer or dying pump.
 






I checked out some more things today and found that if the engine is cool, meaning it's sat for at least an hour...it doesn't cut out nearly as bad as if I was running around town, turning it on and off..

I think I'm breakin down and just gonna try to pick up a fuel pump for the thing.

Thing is...it's extremely noticeable when the engine is warm. I can power brake or shift up/down, it still does it.

I'm not sure where to get a fuel pressure gauge at that I can read from the driver seat? I would like to know if the fuel pressure is flexin when it's cuttin out. Simple math tells me that if the pressure is droppin when it does cut out...it's fuel related...and if it aint..electrical.

Sound about right? Anyone got some ideas as to where I can find one cheap?
 






Sorry that it's been awhile since I've posted an update...life's been hectic!

A few days ago I finally got the chance to break down and buy some motorcraft spark plugs...I gapped them all to .054 per the Ford Dealership tells me...put them all in (about an hours worth of work)...and off I went driving it.

It runs like a brand new ex!

Just thought I'd post the update...now I get to figure out and replace the water pump...thats an entirely different thread...LOL

Thanks for everyone's help!
 






Back
Top