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Ford Explorer Maintenance and Repair

6385 messages,  Last post on May 05, 2013 at 7:47 AM

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Messages Page 565 of 639

#5637 of 6385 2001 explorer starting problems by chadp1

Jan 15, 2007 (10:25 am)

I have a 2001 explorer that has random starting problems and was hoping for some help. it has failed to start 4 different times now. The battery and starter are fine, but the engine doesnt catch. Often, if it sits for a while,it starts without a problem. It also started after i had it towed, so the mechanic couldn't help. The ford dealer said it might be the fuel pump and suggested tapping the gas tank with a rubber mallet - he said this could help. It didn't help immediately, but i was able to start it 45 minutes later. Has anyone had a similar problem?
thanks
chadp1

#5638 of 6385 Re:#5631 by bagsik

Jan 15, 2007 (2:13 pm)

the engine does not rev when it sways or moves. yes i think the 4X4 is engaged properly & yes it was a lttle bit windy but not enough to push the truck around the ice (but maybe). thanks for the reply

#5639 of 6385 explorer coolant loss by manuelhubs

Jan 15, 2007 (5:40 pm)

Have a 94 explorer that loses coolant. I had a compression check done, by Midas, and had no compression loss. Checked the oil, it's fine. Do not smell the sweet smell in the engine compartment. Had the radiator replaced less than a month ago. If the head gasket was blown, that would read as a loss of compression? Vehicle has a lot of miles (251,000) but is good.

#5640 of 6385 Re:#5631 [bagsik] by 70ss454_man

Jan 15, 2007 (8:00 pm)

Replying to: bagsik (Jan 15, 2007 2:13 pm)
ok. when you say sways, im assuming you mean left to right, as in almost fishtailing. if this is so, and the engine does not rev, the wind must haev pushed it. if you think about it, the only thing that would make a vehicle sway in icy/snowy conditions is if gas is being applied to the engine and spinning the wheels, or if it was windy and therefore pushing the car. it also could be that your 4 wheel drive isnt working properly and is disengaging, sending jolts to the rear wheels, enough to make them spin momentarily and cause the vehicle to slip.

#5641 of 6385 Re: more brake problems and adressing handle issue [electricdesign] by 70ss454_man

Jan 15, 2007 (8:09 pm)

Replying to: electricdesign (Jan 10, 2007 11:05 am)
i thought i had the problem fixed, but apparently i didnt. it started locking up again, and i got fed up, so i took it into the brake team and told them to replace the braking system. so, $263 for process and $160 for parts later its really runnign fine. now, new lines, rotors, calipers, pads, drums+complete setup later, i feel safe adn i can rest knowing im not gonna wreck later.
thank you for all the replies
~tom

#5642 of 6385 Re: 2001 explorer starting problems [chadp1] by fordexploder

Jan 16, 2007 (1:56 am)

Replying to: chadp1 (Jan 15, 2007 10:25 am)
chadp1:
 
My 2 cents can be found at post #5366. I had these symptoms on a Ranger, finally got a trouble code and fixed it with a new fuel pump relay (little black box amongst others under the hood in the power distribution box). You might find other helpful info in that string of comments. Good luck. It's no fun being stranded like that - happens at the worst times. You say battery and starter are fine. I assume then you get the cranking of the engine but no turn over. That's the way mine was - starved for fuel.
 
If you decide to go this route do me a favor. Buy the part, keep it in the glovebox. Next time the problem occurs, slap that bad boy in and let me know if it doesn't start right up. I sure hope so .

#5643 of 6385 Re: explorer coolant loss [manuelhubs] by kiawah

Jan 16, 2007 (4:49 am)

Replying to: manuelhubs (Jan 15, 2007 5:40 pm)
Did you have an engine compression test done, or a cooling pressure test done? It's either leaking out somewhere, or getting sucked into the engine....in which case it would be in the oil, or into the intake manifold and burned and sent out the exhaust.

#5644 of 6385 if anyone has problems with 4 wheel drive by 70ss454_man

Jan 16, 2007 (1:22 pm)

theres a way to manually engage the 4 wheel drive. if you remove the motor on the back of the transmission, theres a spool that can be turned to either 2-hi, 4-hi, neutral, or 4-lo. however, this is somoewhat difficult, but if you need emergency 4 wheel drive as i did, its worth it.
~tom

#5645 of 6385 Re: explorer coolant loss [manuelhubs] by electricdesign

Jan 16, 2007 (8:07 pm)

Replying to: manuelhubs (Jan 15, 2007 5:40 pm)
How much coolant do you loose? Or how much coolant do you have to add to fill it back up? Coolant can leak out in several places, external or internal. If you can't find any obvious signs of a leak, then the cooling system pressure testing method would be required. The system is filled with coolant and then the system is pressurized with 15 to 20 pounds of air pressure, then watch and listen for any leaks.

#5646 of 6385 Re: 2001 explorer starting problems [chadp1] by ekahuna

Jan 17, 2007 (2:13 pm)

Replying to: chadp1 (Jan 15, 2007 10:25 am)
I have the same problem with my 2001 Explorer XLT, my mechanic told me to hit the gas tank on the bottom with a rubber mallet while someone is trying to start the truck. I used a sledge hammer covered with an old sweatshirt for padding. You may have to do this two or three times, but eventually you will hear the pump whine and the truck should start. Eventually you will have to replace the fuel pump, I am having my done after encountering this a couple of times already. I have 60,000+ miles on mine.
 
Hope this helps!

Messages Page 565 of 639

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