'01 Ford Explorer Sport Engine Trouble

TELECASTERKID

MEMBER
2001 FORD EXPLORER
6 CYL
2WD
AUTOMATIC
138,000 MILES

I drive a 2001 Ford Explorer Sport. I went to start it this morning and as it's idling it revs above and below the normal idle and slowly goes back and forth in the same fashion until it descends down and dies. The oil and filter were changed recently enough that I don't think that's the issue. I have about 400 miles until my next change. It's slightly snowing here, so I guess I can't rule out any kind of climate related issue. I can't afford to have a shop take a look at it, nor can I afford to have towed there in the first place. I'm a college student so money is significantly tight.

Sunday, December 5th, 2010 AT 5:21 PM

3 Replies

CJ MEDEVAC

MECHANIC
11,004 POSTS

I saw you been-a-Waiting

I know little about your rig and not up to par on these newer computer cars---I answer mainly the Jeep CJs confidently....other stuff I think I might aid someone in a bind

Willing to throw you a possibility

My Wife's Rig did not show a check engine light, and no codes were found

https://www.2carpros.com/questions/ford-escape-2002-ford-escape-idle-speed

Let me know if this helps---just trying to get you running soon

The Medic

"WILLY" bids you a Merry Christmas!

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Monday, December 6th, 2010 AT 1:23 AM

FRNC11

MEMBER
4 POSTS

Just replied to another one like this. Except it was a Taurus.
On both these vehicles, there is a faulty spring that controls the idle plunger. After about 10 years this spring wears out and cause the plunger to prevent the vehicle from staying in idle and so the engine dies. Most cars, this spring lasts the life of the car, in our case (whether you're in a `98 to `01 Explorer or a similar Taurus) it doesn't last and needs replacing. Had this problem last winter on my `99 Ford Explorer Limited.

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Tuesday, December 7th, 2010 AT 5:16 AM

CJ MEDEVAC

MECHANIC
11,004 POSTS

ROGER BUDDY

THANKS FOR BACKING ME UP WITH ANOTHER REAL GOOD POSSIBLY...NOW THEY GOT 2 TO TRY......YOURS IS PROBABLY BETTER THAN MINE!

SEEMS ALL OF THE JEEP CJ'S ARE FIXED IN THE WORLD AND HAVE BEEN FOR DAYS.

I AM FORCED TO SEEK OUT THINGS THAT I DO NOT HAVE MUCH EXPERIENCE......OR THINGS LIKE, "WHERE DO I FIND THE THINGEE TO TAKE OFF THE THINGAMABOBS THAT HOLD MY WHEEL ON, IT'S NOT IN THE GLOVE BOX???"

I HAVE REALLY BEEN TRYING TO GRAB THE QUESTIONS THAT HAVE BEEN "PICKED OVER" AND SET ASIDE---I KNOW WHAT ITS LIKE TO BE IN A TRANSPORTATION BIND---SO I THROW OUT WHAT I CAN, SORTA A "GRAB MY 'GREASY' HAND, BEFORE YOU SINK IN THE QUICK-SAND"

THIS IS WHAT MAKES IT ALL WORTH IT TO ME.....I THINK HE HELD ON TO MY WATCH, WHEN I WAS YANKIN' HIM OUT!

https://www.2carpros.com/questions/1993-ford-f-150-1993-ford-f150

THE MEDIC

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Tuesday, December 7th, 2010 AT 5:43 AM