Won't restart until it cools down

[11Fishbone]

2002 Ford Explorer Sport 4.0, 100k miles
I don't have a code reader or any way to get codes from my vehicle.

The symptoms are getting progressively worse. After it's been driven for a while, it will not restart after parked. It must be allowed to cool off for an hour or so.. All gauges and temps look normal, no overheating..
It first did this many months ago after I ran the AC on high for a forty minute drive.
It next did this after just a twenty minutes of the AC on high..
It next did this after just driving for an hour.
The next and last time I drove it, it did this with no AC and only 20 minutes of driving.

Has anyone experienced this with their Explorer? Is this just a simple heat related sensor of some kind that I can replace on my own?
Thank you for any help.
Steve

 

[Mbrooks420]

Your AC isn’t involved. (Your AC actually runs in most of the heat settings as well).

Next time turn it over for 3 seconds, pause for a few seconds and repeat two more times. On the 4th try just let it crank for while. If it starts you likely have a coolant temp sensor issue. On the second gens there were two, I’m not sure about the 3rd gens.

Is your check engine light on?

 

[donalds]

^^^^^^ temp sensor

 

[mountaineer2004]

That reminds me, I had a similar problem long time ago with my 1986 Chevy Celebrity.
Would consistently stall after about 30 minutes, wait a while, then restart with no more problems.
Loved that car, my fav year with new better taillights but with old quad seal beam headlights (only year).
Never did find the problem, got wrecked soon after. Good luck with your problem.

 

[drdoom]

Possible fuel pump issue...if you can get someone to listen into the filler with the fuel cap removed. Turn the key to RUN and listen for it priming.

 

[Gary Crist]

I think you mean cycle key to run position for several times, without cranking...
Then try to crank engine...........

 

[donalds]

Possible fuel pump issue...if you can get someone to listen into the filler with the fuel cap removed. Turn the key to RUN and listen for it priming.

I think you mean cycle key to run position for several times, without cranking...
Then try to crank engine...........

Both

 

[11Fishbone]

Both

2002 Ford Explorer Sport 4.0, 100k miles
I don't have a code reader or any way to get codes from my vehicle.

The symptoms are getting progressively worse. After it's been driven for a while, it will not restart after parked. It must be allowed to cool off for an hour or so.. All gauges and temps look normal, no overheating..
It first did this many months ago after I ran the AC on high for a forty minute drive.
It next did this after just a twenty minutes of the AC on high..
It next did this after just driving for an hour.
The next and last time I drove it, it did this with no AC and only 20 minutes of driving.

Has anyone experienced this with their Explorer? Is this just a simple heat related sensor of some kind that I can replace on my own?
Thank you for any help.
Steve

​

Both

Thanks again everyone... I really appreciate it. I'm going to make sure that I have a tow available and try the above recommendations. Hopefully it's something that's not too expensive.

 

[venom97]

Not to throw another thing into the mix but a friend of mine had a mustang that was the same way. Ended up being a bad ground. Hopefully it is something easier like what is mentioned above.

 

[tedmc1]

2002 Ford Explorer Sport 4.0, 100k miles
I don't have a code reader or any way to get codes from my vehicle.

The symptoms are getting progressively worse. After it's been driven for a while, it will not restart after parked. It must be allowed to cool off for an hour or so.. All gauges and temps look normal, no overheating..
It first did this many months ago after I ran the AC on high for a forty minute drive.
It next did this after just a twenty minutes of the AC on high..
It next did this after just driving for an hour.
The next and last time I drove it, it did this with no AC and only 20 minutes of driving.

Has anyone experienced this with their Explorer? Is this just a simple heat related sensor of some kind that I can replace on my own?
Thank you for any help.
Steve

I had this exact problem,the fuel pump was bad. the 02's have a pressure regulator built into the fuel pump.Check to see if there are 2 fuel lines in the inboard side of your fuel filter.And amazingly it never stalled or quit while running,only after I shut it off and tried to restart it while it was still warm.
"WHAT HAPPENS" the pressure regulator gets stuck in the open position and sends all the fuel back to the tank instead of sending fuel the the engine.So you have no fuel pressure. After the fuel pump cools down the pressure regulator cools off and pops back to the closed position.And magically your car runs again. Get a pressure gauge and check the schrader valve,if no pressure when it wont start....there's your problem. Also check the fuse and relay.

 

[11Fishbone]

I had this exact problem,the fuel pump was bad. the 02's have a pressure regulator built into the fuel pump.Check to see if there are 2 fuel lines in the inboard side of your fuel filter.And amazingly it never stalled or quit while running,only after I shut it off and tried to restart it while it was still warm.
"WHAT HAPPENS" the pressure regulator gets stuck in the open position and sends all the fuel back to the tank instead of sending fuel the the engine.So you have no fuel pressure. After the fuel pump cools down the pressure regulator cools off and pops back to the closed position.And magically your car runs again. Get a pressure gauge and check the schrader valve,if no pressure when it wont start....there's your problem. Also check the fuse and relay.

Thank you for sharing your experience tedmc1

 

[David.calder@expernet.co.]

2002 Ford Explorer Sport 4.0, 100k miles
I don't have a code reader or any way to get codes from my vehicle.

The symptoms are getting progressively worse. After it's been driven for a while, it will not restart after parked. It must be allowed to cool off for an hour or so.. All gauges and temps look normal, no overheating..
It first did this many months ago after I ran the AC on high for a forty minute drive.
It next did this after just a twenty minutes of the AC on high..
It next did this after just driving for an hour.
The next and last time I drove it, it did this with no AC and only 20 minutes of driving.

Has anyone experienced this with their Explorer? Is this just a simple heat related sensor of some kind that I can replace on my own?
Thank you for any help.
Steve

Ignition module. Get a good used one off eBay before it begins stopping mid-drive. Yes you can swap it out yourself if you have a Haynes Manual. If by some fluke it's something else, you will have eliminated the obvious cause. Good luck.

 

[LorenzoGarbanzo]

I had this exact problem,the fuel pump was bad. the 02's have a pressure regulator built into the fuel pump.Check to see if there are 2 fuel lines in the inboard side of your fuel filter.And amazingly it never stalled or quit while running,only after I shut it off and tried to restart it while it was still warm.
"WHAT HAPPENS" the pressure regulator gets stuck in the open position and sends all the fuel back to the tank instead of sending fuel the the engine.So you have no fuel pressure. After the fuel pump cools down the pressure regulator cools off and pops back to the closed position.And magically your car runs again. Get a pressure gauge and check the schrader valve,if no pressure when it wont start....there's your problem. Also check the fuse and relay.

Does an '07 have this same style of design for the pressure regulator? I'm having a rough start issue when warm that is presenting as the motor starving for fuel for a minute or two.

 

[tedmc1]

Does an '07 have this same style of design for the pressure regulator? I'm having a rough start issue when warm that is presenting as the motor starving for fuel for a minute or two.

There was a big changeover in '04 or '05. The Explorers went to an electronic throttle body and a 1 pipe in and 1 pipe out fuel filter. There is a Fuel pressure regulator somewhere up near the engine Get a Haynes manual. Also the Sport Tracs' aren't exactly the same as the Explorers , Could be a clogged fuel filter, or a vacuum leak too. Find the Schrader valve and ck the fuel pressure when it's running good and when it's stumbling. Could be a lot of other things like a carboned up throttle body. Get an OBDII dongle and Either get Forscan or Torque. (That way you can run live data)

 

[cancrusher187]

2002 Ford Explorer Sport 4.0, 100k miles
I don't have a code reader or any way to get codes from my vehicle.

The symptoms are getting progressively worse. After it's been driven for a while, it will not restart after parked. It must be allowed to cool off for an hour or so.. All gauges and temps look normal, no overheating..
It first did this many months ago after I ran the AC on high for a forty minute drive.
It next did this after just a twenty minutes of the AC on high..
It next did this after just driving for an hour.
The next and last time I drove it, it did this with no AC and only 20 minutes of driving.

Has anyone experienced this with their Explorer? Is this just a simple heat related sensor of some kind that I can replace on my own?
Thank you for any help.
Steve

I went through this same thing. Never figured it out. Mine would start happening after an hour of constant driving. I came here as you did and tried all the remedies with no joy. I got lucky and sold it for 1,500 2 years ago. Dont laugh...she was the prettiest punkin' in the punkin' patch. 1999 Eddie bauer.

I did put taller tires on it after an engine swap (death rattle)...I will always say thats it because it makes me feel better.

 

[11Fishbone]

Possible fuel pump issue...if you can get someone to listen into the filler with the fuel cap removed. Turn the key to RUN and listen for it priming.

Thank you again, everybody for giving me some direction to go, and likely places to look. At the very least, it softened the blow.
It turned out to be the expensive fuel pump unit that required the tank to be dropped.
Cheer everyone