Engine wont start and run?

Tiny
JDSNOW
  • MEMBER
  • 1991 FORD EXPLORER
  • 6 CYL
  • 4WD
  • AUTOMATIC
  • 197,000 MILES
My 1991 explorer does not want to start after warm up. It cranks but then stops cranking ubruptly then starts to crank agian. I did smell gas under the hood like it was flooded. It does start after awile and then runs fine. I was thinking hydrolocked with fuel but dont see how the injectors would countinue to pump fuel with out the pump on.
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Wednesday, April 14th, 2010 AT 4:37 PM

8 Replies

Tiny
JACOBANDNICKOLAS
  • MECHANIC
  • 108,005 POSTS
It sounds like you have a stuck injector. When you turn the key to the on position without cranking the engine over can you hear the fuel pump run in the tank for 5 seconds?

https://www.2carpros.com/articles/car-cranks-but-wont-start

Please run down this guide and report back.

Let me know.
Joe
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Wednesday, April 14th, 2010 AT 10:13 PM
Tiny
JDSNOW
  • MEMBER
  • 2 POSTS
No check engine light at any time and it just passed smog check in california a month ago. I smell the fuel when it fails to start and I open the hood. It does seem to be getting spark because it trys to start on every atemp. It acts like to timming is off and firing at the wrong time which stopes the engine for a secound but no distribitor to change timming. Is there anyther way to change it?
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Thursday, April 15th, 2010 AT 6:42 AM
Tiny
JACOBANDNICKOLAS
  • MECHANIC
  • 108,005 POSTS
The computer does that based on the crank sensor, unless the timing chain jumped a tooth.
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Thursday, April 15th, 2010 AT 8:53 AM
Tiny
ALPENGLOW
  • MEMBER
  • 2 POSTS
  • 1991 FORD EXPLORER
  • 6 CYL
  • 4WD
  • AUTOMATIC
  • 161,000 MILES
I have the following error codes when testing with the engine off: 16, 21, 24. I have replaced the crankshaft pickup sensor, engine coolant temp sensor, intake air sensor, engine coolant gauge sensor, engine ignition module, have 70 psi fuel pressure cranking. Checked spark at every cylinder, new spark plug wires. The engine backfires when it attemps to start. This engine was getting harder and harder to start when it wasn't started everyday. Now it will not start. I am starting to give up on it. It you have any help I would like to hear from you.
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+1
Wednesday, December 30th, 2020 AT 7:11 PM (Merged)
Tiny
BMRFIXIT
  • MECHANIC
  • 19,053 POSTS
Check compression and the timing chain
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Wednesday, December 30th, 2020 AT 7:11 PM (Merged)
Tiny
ALPENGLOW
  • MEMBER
  • 2 POSTS
I had 4000 miles on a new set of Autolite Platinum spark plugs before I had this problem with it not wanting to start. Well, I bought a new set of standard Autolite plugs. I started to replace each one. I pulled one out and checked the spark while my wife cranked it over. It had a good blue /white spark, plug looked clean and compression was good. I then replaced it with a new one. After changing 2 plugs and while testing the 3rd plug the engine started up. After installing all the new plugs the engine runs good and is back to the same power it had before having this problem with the new Autolite Platinum plugs.
Has anyone ever been through this with a new set of Autolite Platinum plugs? I will be letting Autolite know about this problem.
Now I am getting error codes 16, 41, 12, 77 and my check engine light comes on after driving a couple miles. It resets after I shut the engine off and then comes on again after a couple miles. I then changed the HO2S sensor and the fuel pressure regulator. Still the same error codes come back and the check engine light comes on. I performed a Wiggle test and it was OK. I am back to square one. Confused!
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Wednesday, December 30th, 2020 AT 7:11 PM (Merged)
Tiny
ESXPLORERINNEED
  • MEMBER
  • 1 POST
  • 1991 FORD EXPLORER
  • 6 CYL
  • 4WD
  • AUTOMATIC
  • 66,000 MILES
Hi,

i have a 1991 ford explorer with 66,000 original miles on it. Since ive had the explorer ive replaced a number of parts including but not limited to :

fuel pump and filter
head gasket
valve cover gaskets
MAF sensor
air idle control valve
O2 sensor
starter solenoid
spark plugs and wires.

I have verified that it is indeed getting fuel, spark and air.

Now to the problem

when I go to start the engine it will continually spin as if trying to start but never actually cranks up. Ive gotten luck one time and got her to crank but havent been able to since, and the time it did crank I could her a tapping/ticking noise coming from the engine.

I was told by several people that I need to replace my timing chain and tensioner and have my timing set.

But I dont know how to do that nor if that is indeed the porblem.

Please help.
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Wednesday, December 30th, 2020 AT 7:11 PM (Merged)
Tiny
LEGITIMATE007
  • MECHANIC
  • 5,121 POSTS
Yeah I agree, the feeling of it just continually turning and not seeming to catch would be a indicator of a slipped belt/chain or even a snapped belt or the belts tensioner could be bad. If you do not have the experience with changing timing belts/chain, I do not recommend doing it, and if I am not mistaken, the engine may have to be taken out or cocked foward. To access. It sounds like with the low miles, it may be worth the money to get it fixed. Whatever you do dont go to the dealer to have it done, it will be way more expensive to do. If you have any other questions, please let me know. Please dont continue to try to start it, you may cause more internal problems

TY for the donation

Get a helper disconnect a sparkplug wire or 2 and ground it to the engine at least 3/16 away from ground -have helper crank engine over-do you have a snapping blue spark? If so-you have a fuel related problem, Do you hear the fuel pump come On when you turn key on? If not check fuel pump fuse and fuel pump relay if so, check the fuel pressure to rule out the fuel filter/fuel pump/pressure regulator and listen to the injector/s are they pulsing or hook up a noid light. No snapping blue spark continue to troubleshoot the ignition system-power input to the coil/coil packs, coil's resistances, distributor pick-up coil, ignition control module, cam and crank sensors and computer Note: If it doesn't apply disregard it.

If both fuel and spark is present-check the valve and ignition timing, this will lead you to problems
with compression and valves opening and closing at the wrong time/broken or jumped timing
belt/chain.
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Wednesday, December 30th, 2020 AT 7:11 PM (Merged)

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