|
|
|
1998 Ford Explorer starting problem
|
|
|
| |
|
|
Guest
Anonymous Poster
nterider1@yahoo.com
Oct 24, 2006, 6:15 PM
Post #1 of 10
(16779 views)
|
1998 Ford Explorer starting problem
|
Sign In
|
|
1998 Ford Explorer - Help!!!!!
Car will crank fine for days, and then will start having troubles, When you turn the ignition switch to crank it tries real hard to crank but will just not start, Battery is new, Repair Tech has had the car several times for over a week at a time trying to diagnose but has not been able to resolve. When it cranks, there are no codes set. It may not crank for a week, and then will crank fine several times a day for another week, sometimes when it want crank, if you just try it again in a few minutes, it will crank fine.
Does anyone have any suggestions? any help would be greatly appreciated!
|
|
| |
|
|
Tom Greenleaf
Ultimate Carjunky
/ Moderator
Oct 24, 2006, 6:25 PM
Post #2 of 10
(16770 views)
|
|
Re: 1998 Ford Explorer starting problem
|
Sign In
|
|
Hey I can be blind sometimes but I'm confused?? Engine cranks (that to me means the starter is turning the engine) but won't start?? It can fail to start or crank for a week!!
If the engine is turning by starter motor (cranking) and not starting the problem is almost always lack of fuel or spark and you need to test for that, T
|
|
| |
|
|
Guest
Anonymous Poster
nterider1@yahoo.com
Oct 24, 2006, 6:39 PM
Post #3 of 10
(16769 views)
|
|
Re: 1998 Ford Explorer starting problem
|
Sign In
|
|
Tom,
That's what I've been thinking. If it cranks easily several days in a row, and then just stops (but starter is still trying) then either it isn't getting a spark, or it isn't getting any fuel. Tech has tried to check for fuel pressure leak, but then it started cranking good. I drove it home, after he had cranked it easily for several days, and drove it for four mare days without any problems. Then today it would'nt crank. had to leave it at work and catch a ride home. It may crank fine tomorrow.
I keep thinking, fuel pump, coil, relay(s) or computer! 
|
|
| |
|
|
Tom Greenleaf
Ultimate Carjunky
/ Moderator
Oct 24, 2006, 8:08 PM
Post #4 of 10
(16767 views)
|
|
Re: 1998 Ford Explorer starting problem
|
Sign In
|
|
Maybe I have brain damage but I'm having a problem understanding what this problem is. What do you mean by crank? Does engine turn or not when you ask it to? I already said it that without knowing that how could we guess? We can't do any better than guess and suggest as none here have the car in front of us.
I don't know how to help from here if you can't explain that, T
|
|
| |
|
|
DanD
Veteran
/ Moderator
Oct 25, 2006, 4:13 AM
Post #5 of 10
(16765 views)
|
|
Re: 1998 Ford Explorer starting problem
|
Sign In
|
|
Tom I’m not understanding this persons cranking thing either?
Maybe this will help to get everyone on the same page when it comes to cranking an engine and an engine that does or does not start?
Have a look at this picture see the crank handle that I’ve circled in red? Back then someone would have to actually take this handle and turn the engine by hand to begin the process of starting the engine.
That’s where the term cranking the engine came from.
An engine being cranked isn’t the same thing as an engine that will crank and then start.
Now we have electric starter (cranking) motors to do this for us. Same principle now we turn the ignition key to crank the engine (picture the person out front handle in hand) we keep cranking until we here the engine fire and run on its own (now picture the person out front wiping sweat from forehead and blisters on their hand). LOL
Sorry I don’t mean to belittle anyone but it is very frustrating when talking to one of my customers (a lot actually) and they don’t know the difference. I’ve actually have had to do sound effects for people to get it out of them does the engine crank.
You know what I mean Tom; like this “does the car do rau, rau rau and then nothing when you turn the key or does it go rau, rau varoom”. LOL
Dan.
Canadian "EH"
|
|
| |
|
|
Tom Greenleaf
Ultimate Carjunky
/ Moderator
Oct 25, 2006, 9:03 AM
Post #6 of 10
(16762 views)
|
|
Re: 1998 Ford Explorer starting problem
|
Sign In
|
|
LOL. I still own a vehicle that can be started that way but don't have the handle. Nice pic though.
What always gets me is when someone will call me broken down and say "the car won't turn over??" Then I have to go thru 20 questions as to whether the engine is cranking/turning and not starting or not cranking or turning at all so I know what tools to grab for a road call.
It's been an interesting career heading out for the rescue and if I couldn't fix it at site we would load up kids, car seats, and all and I just took them home and had the car towed to my shop.
I've been blessed to have known all my customers and knew their children too, T
|
|
| |
|
|
Guest
Anonymous Poster
nterider1@yahoo.com
Oct 25, 2006, 4:09 PM
Post #7 of 10
(16756 views)
|
|
Re: 1998 Ford Explorer starting problem
|
Sign In
|
|
Sorry about the wording. Change the word "crank" to "start". in this part of the country we use either word to mean the same thing.
If you turn the Ignition switch, the starter engages and attempts to "start", but will not run. I was agreeing with your assessment last night of it being either a inability to get fuel or no spark, However, there are quite a few possibilities that can cause this. Guess I was just wondering which one(s) might be the best place to start looking. I appreciate your attempt!
|
|
| |
|
|
Tom Greenleaf
Ultimate Carjunky
/ Moderator
Oct 25, 2006, 7:56 PM
Post #8 of 10
(16749 views)
|
|
Re: 1998 Ford Explorer starting problem
|
Sign In
|
|
All is cool. Where are we or rather YOU with the problem? T
|
|
| |
|
|
steve01832
Veteran
Oct 26, 2006, 3:07 AM
Post #9 of 10
(16746 views)
|
|
Re: 1998 Ford Explorer starting problem
|
Sign In
|
|
While the vehicle is not starting is when you have to check fuel pressure, injector pulse, and spark at plugs. Intermittent problems can make a mechanic crazy when the vehicle doesn't act up while he has it. Notice the next time this happens if the Check Engine light is lit on the instrument cluster with the key on engine off. All of the other warning lights will also be on for bulb check. If it isn't on then you may have a faulty EEC relay. This relay powers the computer and the main systems. It also pulls in the fuel pump relay. So if it doesn't start, turn the key on to bulb check and make sure the Engine light lights up with the other warning lights. A quick check to rule out this relay.
Steve
|
|
| |
|
|
Guest
Anonymous Poster
Oct 27, 2006, 5:24 PM
Post #10 of 10
(16738 views)
|
|
Re: 1998 Ford Explorer starting problem
|
Sign In
|
|
Thanks Steve!
I did as you suggested, and the check engine light 'DID' come on. I had it towed back to the shop today. If it isn't "cranking" (just kidding) starting when it gets there, they were going to try to check the fuel pressure. They had tried to do this last time, but of course, it started fine. When we find the cause, I'll post it here.
|
|
| |
|
Auto Repair Home
SEARCH
WHO'S 
LOG 
1989 toyota pickup 3.0 crank no start
Please Help - Knock sound & engine fail
