Wifes 98 Explorer won't start again.

[TWolf]

It has been awhile since I have been on here. Alot of medical problems have side lined me.

My wife has a 98 Exlorer with a 4.0 engine. For about the last two years, it has had trouble starting. It turns over great, but won't fire. We have had it towed in to the mechanics about five times and each time but the last. It has started right away and he couldn't find anything wrong. The last time which was about 2 weeks ago. It didn't start for him. He went in and got his wife and came back out to try it. The darn thing started for him. There is nothing that he can do now until it won't start again. Which is today. But since I live out of town, he can't make it here until sometime next week.

Any help would be great. When it comes to mechanical stuff. I lack any knowledge on this part. The older cars and trucks I could tinker with and most often get running. Some how.

Tom

 

[Dan Whitaker]

When it does this have you checked to see if you are getting a spark?
If so it has to a fuel or sensor problem. It might be your IAC or TPS.

 

[Turdle]

It could be a fuel pump-fuel pump relay issue.

Turn key to on position, listen closely for the fuel pump to prime for a second or two, then quit. If you don't hear the fuel pump, you have identified the symptom.
I had a problem with the connections in the power distribution box, (next to the power brake booster), going to my pcm and puel pump relays.
With key turned on, wiggle the relays while listening for pump. If it cuts on and off, you have found your problem.
let us know what you have found, and we can go deeper if you need to.

 

[CDW6212R]

Here is an easy check for you; when the problem happens, does the theft light flash?

Watch that dash theft light when you start the truck. Get used to it coming on and staying on as you start the truck normally. If the PATS module doesn't like the signal it gets from the key, it will disable the fuel circuit instanly, and flash the theft light.

This happened to me rarely a long time ago. I have kept a second key on my ring since, and it has recurred twice. Good luck,

 

[TWolf]

The theft light always flashes. I have listened for the fuel pump and I do hear it. When the mechanic dropped my truck off today. A long story here. This is a different mechanic. He brought his tools. After about 5 minutes, he thinks he found the problem. It may be the crank sensor is either bad or the connections are bad. I believe that is what he called it. He laid on the ground at the front end and then had me try and start it. It started right up. So he took it back into town to get a part tomorrow. It is amazing how some people can find things so fast. I do think that I am changing to this other mechanic. The company that he works for does all the work on my PSD F-250. I will know friday and I will let you all know also.

Thank you for your input.

Tom