Engine turns over but wont start?

Tiny
KFM111569
  • MEMBER
  • 1997 FORD EXPLORER
  • 6 CYL
  • 4WD
  • AUTOMATIC
1997 Ford explorer xlt turns over won't start. Sounds like someone cut off the belts! Not the case, is it a fuse or timing belt? Or somthing else.
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Saturday, November 20th, 2010 AT 6:39 AM

53 Replies

Tiny
RASMATAZ
  • MECHANIC
  • 75,992 POSTS
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.
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Saturday, November 20th, 2010 AT 7:01 AM
Tiny
JACOBANDNICKOLAS
  • MECHANIC
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You have a timing chain in this vehicle. It would make a metalic sound if broken and most likely cause the engine to freeze up because it would drop against the crank pulley and get tangled.

A fuse wouldn't cause the noise. Is the noise coming from under the hood? Have you checked to see if there is spark and fuel to the engine? How many miles are on the vehicle?

Here is a picture of the timing chain
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Saturday, November 20th, 2010 AT 7:01 AM
Tiny
DANBEA06
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  • 1 POST
  • 1997 FORD EXPLORER
  • 4.0L
  • V6
  • 4WD
  • AUTOMATIC
  • 137,000 MILES
A little over a year ago, started having intermittent starting problems. Usually on cold damp days when car was cold (never a problem restarting if car was warm) but not always. Car would crank but engine would not turn over. Battery power was good. Could often get the car to start after a few attempts. But on five to six occasions, it wouldn't start. I would leave the car sitting for a few days some times and then it would start. I replaced the fuel pump (didn't fix it); check compression (good); spark is good. Changed gas to higher octane and did an Italian tune up. The other day, the idle pulley seized. I replaced it with a new pulley and serpentine belt. Since then, in spite of several cold, damp mornings, the car starts every time without hesitation. While I never heard the belt slip, is there anything about changing the belt and pulley that could make a difference? Probably jinxing myself as I write this, too. Thanks!
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Wednesday, December 30th, 2020 AT 6:26 PM (Merged)
Tiny
JOHNNYT73
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My guess would be that since the pulley was seizing mostly when cold because when the metal was cold is had contracted, therefore hard for the pulley to spin. When it was warm the metal was more expanded allowing more movement. Just a guess from the info you have provided.
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Wednesday, December 30th, 2020 AT 6:26 PM (Merged)
Tiny
TELLICO
  • MEMBER
  • 6 POSTS
  • 1997 FORD EXPLORER
I have a 97 ford explorer 4.0 185,000 Vin code E overhead cam version engine was replaced at 100,000 on a recall by Ford brand new bullet. Drove it down to get mail Monday came back parked now it won't start. Fuel is at half a tank, on level ground,
have pressure at the schrader valve, sprayed starting fluid in the throttle body won't fire. Replaced the coil still won't fire. Checked 25 amp fuse 19 in side panel and 60 amp ignition fuse in box under hood on drivers side. Both are good. Battery at 12.2 volts and harness coming to coil has 11.9 volts on posts 1 and 4 with the key on but nothing in 2 and 3. Pulled a wire off of the coil and does not seem to be getting any fire. Replaced fuel filter about a year ago when similar problem arose but I got it to fire with the starter fluid then. All other accessories work. Lights blinkers cdplayer power windows door wipers blower motor ac. So I don't know if it could be computer related. Unless the signal coming to the coil is messed up. Any help would be most appreciated. Or I may have overlooked another fuse somewhere or something up on the intake. Replaced the thermostat about three weeks ago and had the top plastic cover off of the throttle body assy but dont know of any other things I could have left unplugged under there. Not that much to unhook to replace the thermostat. Thanks Jeff
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Wednesday, December 30th, 2020 AT 6:27 PM (Merged)
Tiny
BHUGG
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You didn't say if you are getting a spark. If no spark, then try replacing the PCM power relay. It is next to fuse #19. You should be able to switch the relay with another relay in the box. I have had 2 of these relays fail in my Explorer.

Good luck
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Wednesday, December 30th, 2020 AT 6:27 PM (Merged)
Tiny
TELLICO
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Yes you were correct I am not getting any spark will try your suggestion then post back. Thanks Jeff
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Wednesday, December 30th, 2020 AT 6:27 PM (Merged)
Tiny
TELLICO
  • MEMBER
  • 6 POSTS
Swapped the a/c - fuel pump - pcm relays with each other still no spark. Wonder if it could be the pcm diode right beside it?

The fuse 19 I checked was inside the drivers door panel on the left side of the dash 25 amp for ignition circuit fuse was fine and the 60 amp under the cover where the three pcm's are was also ok
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Wednesday, December 30th, 2020 AT 6:27 PM (Merged)
Tiny
TELLICO
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Pulled top cover off of throttle body. Nothing up there seems to be unhooked so that would just about eliminate that question checked everything around the map sensor tubes hoses electrical connections they all seem fine. Alternator wires are fine and tight.

Some times all a guy needs to totally fix a problem is a well placed grenade. Haha. Not there yet, but it is paid for. Jeff
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Wednesday, December 30th, 2020 AT 6:27 PM (Merged)
Tiny
MERLIN2021
  • MECHANIC
  • 17,250 POSTS
If it turns over but no start and no spark. Is the Batt wire on the coil live? If not try a jumper wire to pos post. If it runs the ignition switch is faulty.
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Wednesday, December 30th, 2020 AT 6:27 PM (Merged)
Tiny
TELLICO
  • MEMBER
  • 6 POSTS
Tried everything mentioned. Even checked fuel pump reset switch up under passengers side kick panel. No reset needed. Unhooked the positive wire on the battery for an hour to see if the thing might reset and clear the bug. Still no luck. Have no idea what this could be. About ready to start piecing it out. If I can't get it to fire soon. Anybody got any other ideas./?Thanks Jeff
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Wednesday, December 30th, 2020 AT 6:27 PM (Merged)
Tiny
MERLIN2021
  • MECHANIC
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Camshaft position sensor. Crankshaft sensor
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Wednesday, December 30th, 2020 AT 6:27 PM (Merged)
Tiny
BOBINCONCORD
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  • 2 POSTS
  • 1997 FORD EXPLORER
  • 6 CYL
  • 4WD
  • AUTOMATIC
  • 160,000 MILES
My son's Explorer ran out of fuel. We put 2 gallons in the tank, but it won't restart on repeated attempts. On other cars, after a few seconds of engaging the starter, it will fire off. Want to know if it is something simple that can be taken care of without having the vehicle towed.
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Wednesday, December 30th, 2020 AT 6:27 PM (Merged)
Tiny
BROCKEXPLORER
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Wanted to know what problem was am having same problem? (BROCKEXPLORER)i just posted under 1997 ford explorerer
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Wednesday, December 30th, 2020 AT 6:27 PM (Merged)
Tiny
BOBINCONCORD
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I hope your problem is not the same as ours - we had it towed in Monday, and worst fears were realized - broken front timing chain and probable slipped rear timing chain. Ballpark price to fix - $2500. Needless to say, my son is now looking for a new car.
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Wednesday, December 30th, 2020 AT 6:27 PM (Merged)
Tiny
BOB THOMPSON
  • MEMBER
  • 1 POST
  • 1997 FORD EXPLORER
  • 90,000 MILES
Couldn't get fire to fuel pump so put in new fuel pump. Motor started earlier.
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Wednesday, December 30th, 2020 AT 6:28 PM (Merged)
Tiny
DRCRANKNWRENCH
  • MECHANIC
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Here is a diagnostic walk through that will by process of elimination help you diagnose your problem. It is a very good toll.
Just follow this link;

https://www.2carpros.com/articles/car-cranks-but-wont-start
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Wednesday, December 30th, 2020 AT 6:28 PM (Merged)
Tiny
TEKOA1978
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  • 2 POSTS
  • 1997 FORD EXPLORER
  • 6 CYL
  • AWD
  • 197,898 MILES
My !997 Ford Explorer will not go into Park. I have to Start my Explorer in the Nutreal gear. Some people of my family thinks its frozen up inside the tranmission and others think I need to get look at. I have no Idea were to start.
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Wednesday, December 30th, 2020 AT 6:28 PM (Merged)
Tiny
FIXITMR
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Do you mean you cant physically put the lever in park or that the vehicle does not engage park(vehicle still rolls) when you do put lever there? Or it just wont start in park? If it wont start in park with that mileage it is most likely the neutral safety switch located on transmission gear selection shaft. This is outside the transmission.
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Wednesday, December 30th, 2020 AT 6:28 PM (Merged)
Tiny
TEKOA1978
  • MEMBER
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No I can't put the Lever into Park. I have start the vechile in Neutral. It was in park when I start the vechile this morning and I went to grocery store and when I came out I couldn't start me vechile. As I was trying to figure out what maybe be wrong My father told me that I sould be able start the vechile Neutral gear. So I did so and it start, but I can't get my Lever Shifter to engage park. My father said it maybe something that got lose in transmisson. I just don't know so I was trying find someone that now the Explorers better then I or my father.

Jeremy
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Wednesday, December 30th, 2020 AT 6:28 PM (Merged)

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