1994 explorer won't start - Ford Forums

plow509 · 11-29-2008, 22:19

Help! My explorer will not start once in a while. I believe it is a fuel problem because when you can hear the fuel pump run it will always start. Every time it won't start the fuel pump will not run. It has never failed after it is running. It is always at the point of starting the engine. I recently replaced the battery. I recently replaced the fuel pump and the fuel pump relay in the power distribution box. It is getting progressively worse. Does anyone have any more ideas? My wife will hardly drive it now that it has left her stranded a few times. Actually it has never left her stranded because it has started if she is willing to wait long enough. It doesn't seem to matter if it is hot or cold. Please help before my wife divorces me.

plow509 · 12-01-2008, 19:59

Nobody has any ideas? I'm wondering if it could possibly be a faulty ignition switch because nothing has moved or changed when it is parked except the ignition switch. I am willing to listen to any ideas.

bassman000 · 12-09-2008, 00:39

I have a 1992 explorer that will start fine, then if left for 20-30 minutes after driving will not start.

it clicks but engine does not turn over, starter does not spin. In R os D it does not click or make any noise which is good. in N or P it clicks but no rrrrr rrrr rrr sound and no start.

My sister has an old honda civic that did the same thing and it was a bad relay solder. I will let you know if i find cause of my problem.

Corky · 12-09-2008, 04:45

Intermittent problems are always frustrating. Carry a can of throttle body cleaner with you. Next time it happens, spray some throttle body cleaner in the intake plumbing and see if it starts. If it starts, runs & stalls, then you can pretty much blame the fuel system (you'll have to dig deeper). If it doesn't start, you may have an intermittent ignition problem - check all electrical connections. These problems aren't easy, but start with the basics & you will get in the ballpark.
Corky

PabloHemet · 12-11-2008, 15:07

My 1994 Ford Explorer XLT 4wd is having the exact same problem. I thought that I figured it out when we dropped the tank and replaced the fuel pump. Everything was okay for 3-4 months and then it started happening again. Then I thought we figured it out when we bypassed the emergency fuel shutoff switch located under the passenger footmat. I just wired it directly there. It still has the same problem. I am now going to investigate the wiring from the relay switch back to the tank. Perhaps something has been damaged or is not grounded properly. If not, the ignition may be to blame. This was suggested by one guy in the post already. Let me know if you find your problem. I'll try and let you know if I find mine. But, just like you said, once it is running it is fine.

MaddieT · 02-04-2009, 14:33

I'm having the same darn problem with my 1994 Ford Explorer. It's intermittent, doesn't happen all the time, but only after it's warmed up. I'll drive somewhere, go inside, come back out, and nothing. I figured out that it's the relay inside the black box on the left hand side of the engine compartment. If I jiggle the black relays, I can usually hear the fuel pump click and then the Explorer starts again. (Except lately it's getting worse and won't start if I jiggle it.) I got stranded today, so I switched some of the relays around. The Explorer started, but now the ABS brake light is on. Probably a good indication that the relay I swapped out is totally fried.

HilDahl · 02-05-2009, 04:35

I have the same problem here. I have taken it to GoodWrench mechanic now 5 times in 2.5 months for this. It only last 1 trip to work or store then when I come back to the car it wont start. I have all the same problems the others are having. It turns over, it sputters and exhaust back fires about the 5th ot 6th attemp to turn it over. And the one common thing from each time it has done this is that it is cold out side when I try to start it, and it has sat in the cold for 4-8 hrs.

What can I ask my mechanic to check out?

Thanks
HilDahl

carldz · 10-26-2009, 17:52

and i am having the same problem. it starts after a period of time, but never not starts when i take it to my mechanic. is there anything i can do or put on the car that can tell me what part is working or not working when it does not turn over? remember i am in the middle of parking lot somewhere. so i would need to put on the vehicle in advance or have with me at the time.