My engine is not starting up?

Tiny
SPLITPEA
  • MEMBER
  • 1993 FORD EXPLORER
  • 4.0L
  • 6 CYL
  • 4WD
  • AUTOMATIC
  • 130,000 MILES
I recently put 20.00 in gas when the problem started so I thought it was bad gas so I put in some water remover and proceeded to drive the gas out when I shut the truck off and went in a store and came out and tried to start it it turned over and stalled like it was out off gas and it had a half of tank so I let it sit for about 20 min the it started right up and continue to start up and run good for about a week I ran out all that gas and proceeded to put midgrade 89 it still was running good for 3 days when I drove for about 30 min shut it off and it did it again so its running good now but before it happens again I am trying to figure it out someone said it could be a fuel pump regulater
Tuesday, October 28th, 2014 AT 1:59 PM

24 Replies

Tiny
WRENCHTECH
  • MECHANIC
  • 20,761 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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Tuesday, October 28th, 2014 AT 4:29 PM
Tiny
HM0045
  • MEMBER
  • 1 POST
  • 1993 FORD EXPLORER
  • 6 CYL
  • 4WD
  • AUTOMATIC
  • 81,000 MILES
Ran great fuell pump went out replaced it. And now it will start run fine for about 5 10 min the spitts and sputters the dies. Then starts the right away it does the same thing. Wait about 20 min or so cycle the key a few times starts runs for 5 10 min then dies again. Over and over. Same thing evey time
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Wednesday, December 30th, 2020 AT 7:01 PM (Merged)
Tiny
JACOBANDNICKOLAS
  • MECHANIC
  • 110,176 POSTS
WHen it doesn't start, have you checked to see if you are getting spark and fuel to the engine? Also, when it doesn't start, open the hood and locate the power distribution box (passanger side). Remove the EEC relay, find a different one in the box with the same part number and switch them. See if that makes a difference.

Let me know.
Joe
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Wednesday, December 30th, 2020 AT 7:01 PM (Merged)
Tiny
DMAN70
  • MEMBER
  • 1 POST
  • 1993 FORD EXPLORER
  • 6 CYL
  • 4WD
  • AUTOMATIC
  • 140,000 MILES
This is a 1993 explorer it was running but now for some reason want now it will turn over but want fire unless you spray starter fluid but only for a second I have replaced the plugs, crank sensor, the fuel pump is working and have checked the test reservior on the fuel rail an has plenty of pressure any ideas would be greatly appreciated.
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Wednesday, December 30th, 2020 AT 7:01 PM (Merged)
Tiny
JACOBANDNICKOLAS
  • MECHANIC
  • 110,176 POSTS
Even though it has fuel pressure, it may not have enough. Have you checked the actuall pressure? If not, many parts stores will lend or rent the gauge. If you have never done it, watch this video:

https://www.2carpros.com/dia/test_fuel_pressure.htm

Let me know what you find.

Joe
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Wednesday, December 30th, 2020 AT 7:01 PM (Merged)
Tiny
RICHARD 132
  • MEMBER
  • 1 POST
  • 1993 FORD EXPLORER
Electrical problem
1993 Ford Explorer 6 cyl Two Wheel Drive Manual

does the coil pack control the fuel pump? I have power to coil pack but will not fire. The fuel pump does not come on either.
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Wednesday, December 30th, 2020 AT 7:02 PM (Merged)
Tiny
JACOBANDNICKOLAS
  • MECHANIC
  • 110,176 POSTS
No, they are two seperate units. If you have no spark and the fuel pump isn't running, try this first. Under the hood, there is a relay block. Open it up and locate the EEC relay. If it is bad, it will shut down both spark and fuel. Switch it with another relay in the block with the same part number and let me know if the vehicle starts. If it doesn't we'll move on to the next step.

Joe
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Wednesday, December 30th, 2020 AT 7:02 PM (Merged)
Tiny
JACOBANDNICKOLAS
  • MECHANIC
  • 110,176 POSTS
I just read your other post. Are you getting spark to the plugs?
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Wednesday, December 30th, 2020 AT 7:02 PM (Merged)
Tiny
JACOBANDNICKOLAS
  • MECHANIC
  • 110,176 POSTS
I had a feeling that it had something to do with that. When there were thousands of them on the road, people would drive them, park for a couple minutes, and then the car wouldn't start. They lost fuel pressure and spark. That relay was a pain for a long time. If you have similar problems in the future, start there. Everytine I get one, that is where I start.

Take care, and I'm glad you got it fixed. Also, thanks for the positive feedback. It's appreciated.

Let us know if you have questions in the future, and thanks for using 2carpros. Com.

Joe
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Wednesday, December 30th, 2020 AT 7:02 PM (Merged)
Tiny
G35RYAN
  • MEMBER
  • 5 POSTS
  • 1993 FORD EXPLORER
  • 6 CYL
  • 2WD
  • AUTOMATIC
  • 28,500 MILES
I started my truck this morning and it seemed to be running fine. I only got a few blocks down the road before the engine starting making a sputtering/grinding sound. It felt like it was having a hard time staying in gear. After a few minutes of the truck sputtering and jumping in and out of gear it just shut off. I was able to get it turned back on and get it back to the house. Now when I try to start the truck it will turn on the shut directly off. Could you please help me out and let me know what the problem could be.
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Wednesday, December 30th, 2020 AT 7:02 PM (Merged)
Tiny
JACOBANDNICKOLAS
  • MECHANIC
  • 110,176 POSTS
Has the check engine light come on? Have you checked fuel pump pressure?

Let me know.
Joe
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Wednesday, December 30th, 2020 AT 7:02 PM (Merged)
Tiny
G35RYAN
  • MEMBER
  • 5 POSTS
Yes the engine light has come on. I have not checked the fuel pump pressure. How would I do that?
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Wednesday, December 30th, 2020 AT 7:02 PM (Merged)
Tiny
JACOBANDNICKOLAS
  • MECHANIC
  • 110,176 POSTS
If the check engine light is on, I need you to have the computer scanned for trouble codes. Most parts stores will do it for free. With that, it should help us idenfity where the problem is coming from.

Let me know what you find.

Joe
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Wednesday, December 30th, 2020 AT 7:02 PM (Merged)
Tiny
YOMAMAS
  • MEMBER
  • 2 POSTS
  • 1993 FORD EXPLORER
I have a 1993 ford explorer that I let someone use. It blew the top radiator hose and blew coolant all over the engine. He pulled over and called me. When I went to fix it he said he tried to add water and start it but it would not start, so I tried to start it up before I changed the hose and seemed like it there was no spark.
I got it home and changed the coil pack thinking it shorted it out, but no change.
Will it still start with no water in radiator?
Can it short something else out getting soaked that would cause it not to start?
It sometimes sounds like it wants to fire but not enough to start.

Any suggestions?
Thanks
yomamas
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Wednesday, December 30th, 2020 AT 7:02 PM (Merged)
Tiny
BLACKOP555
  • MECHANIC
  • 10,386 POSTS
Yes it can short electrical items. But what sounds wrong to me is that you blew the headgasket causing immense pressure to go into the cooling system bursting the hoses. And you dont even need a coolant system to get the engine to start. Sounds to me it is shorted out or the blown head gasket is causing no pressure for the engine to start or the engine is flooded with coolant.

Does the engine crank?
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Wednesday, December 30th, 2020 AT 7:02 PM (Merged)
Tiny
YOMAMAS
  • MEMBER
  • 2 POSTS
Engine cranks fine.
No water in the oil
i think the hose was old and had a buldge in it, thats why it blew. Any other ideas to try?
Thanks for the reply
yomamas
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Wednesday, December 30th, 2020 AT 7:02 PM (Merged)
Tiny
ZAZGUY
  • MEMBER
  • 1 POST
  • 1993 FORD EXPLORER
  • 6 CYL
  • 2WD
  • AUTOMATIC
  • 81,000 MILES
After swapping out a 93 Ford Exp. 4.0 engine with the same. It was hard starting & ran rough. All code reader passed. So I move the crankcase to adjust the base timing. Now I have learned that this should not be done. I have spark & fuel but it will only crank no start. Is it possible to start since I moved the crank instead of allowing the ECU to adjust it?
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Wednesday, December 30th, 2020 AT 7:02 PM (Merged)
Tiny
MMPRINCE4000
  • MECHANIC
  • 8,548 POSTS
Remove #1 plug and rotate by hand (ratchet and socket on balancer bolt).

Place finger in #1 hole, when you feel air coming out, continue to rotate until timing marks on balancer and block align.

Rotor should be pointing at #1 wire on dist. If not adjust dist. Until it does.
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Wednesday, December 30th, 2020 AT 7:02 PM (Merged)
Tiny
NANDO93
  • MEMBER
  • 1 POST
  • 1993 FORD EXPLORER
Electrical problem
1993 Ford Explorer 6 cyl Four Wheel Drive Automatic

i have a 1993 ford explorer it dont start without starting fluid or sometimes we put starting fluid and it also doesnt start if we take the gas pump shut off switch it sometimes turns on any idea of wat it could be?
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Wednesday, December 30th, 2020 AT 7:03 PM (Merged)
Tiny
JGAROFALO
  • MECHANIC
  • 489 POSTS
Start with checking fuel pressure when attempting to start. Low pressure will make starting hard. Possibilities are the relay and pump if pressure is not sufficient. Otherwise, I would take a look at TP voltage at idle/starting. If voltage at TP is over.9 volts, the PCM goes into "clear flood" mode, and turns off the injectors. ALso make sure that the gas pedal is not depressed while trying to start. That technique simply will not work with fuel injection.

Hope this is of some help.
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Wednesday, December 30th, 2020 AT 7:03 PM (Merged)

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