97 V6 SOHC Will Intermittantly Not Start - loses clock/radio memory settings???

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Jim Boone - 13 Oct 2004 03:09 GMT

Hi,

I have a recurring problem with my 97 EB Explorer that is about to make me
sell it. It starts fine, then without warning, it will not start. The
engine cranks for a bit, then the starter motor cuts off and I loose all my
radio presets and clock settings. In the past, I would crank it again, and
it would start. Now, unfortunately, it will no longer start at all and
continues to crank without starting.

I took the truck on a trip to the mountains recently and was stranded
because it would not start. I had it towed to the nearest town to a Ford
dealer and they simply replaced the fuel pump inertia switch and said that
"fixed" the problem. It did for a while, but I was skeptical because I had
jumpered that switch when I tried to get the truck to start in the
mountains. Sadly, the problem is back. It is sitting in my driveway and
will not start. Has anyone had this problem? Does anyone have any ideas what
is going on? Any help would be appreciated. Thanks in advance!

Jim

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limeybiker - 15 Oct 2004 13:36 GMT

I have a similar problem with my 1994 EB, sometimes it just will not start,
engine spins very well, it has a new battery.

If I remove one of the relays and then replace it, it will start.

Signature

Ride safe

Barry

Sunny Ocala, FL 34482, USA
http://home.att.net/~b.lockyer/index.htm

> Hi,
>
[quoted text clipped - 19 lines]
>
> Jim

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Bob - 15 Oct 2004 18:47 GMT

> I have a similar problem with my 1994 EB, sometimes it just will not start,
> engine spins very well, it has a new battery.
>
> If I remove one of the relays and then replace it, it will start.

Fuel pump relay? try a new one, about $5 at any auto parts store. If
that's not it, you have a spare relay, they're all the same on my '94
(blower motor, fuel pump, antilock brakes, etc).

or when it won't start, switch the fuel pump relay with the blower relay
and see if it starts.

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limeybiker - 16 Oct 2004 17:04 GMT

I have tried that, I swap a different relay each time it happens.

Is there a way to test any or all of the relays, now the cruise control is
intermittent, sometimes it works sometimes it doesn't

Signature

Ride safe

Barry

Sunny Ocala, FL 34482, USA
http://home.att.net/~b.lockyer/index.htm

>> I have a similar problem with my 1994 EB, sometimes it just will not
>> start, engine spins very well, it has a new battery.
[quoted text clipped - 7 lines]
> or when it won't start, switch the fuel pump relay with the blower relay
> and see if it starts.

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JB - 17 Oct 2004 03:30 GMT

I pulled the fuel pump relay, applied 12 volts across the solenoid
terminals, and verified that it caused the control contacts to close as
designed. After my testing with the volt meter, I am confident it has
nothing to do with the fuel pump. I also had my wife turn the ignition
switch on and could hear the fuel pump spin for a short time (1-2 seconds).
So between the relay test and hearing the pump run, I don't think it is the
fuel system. I am now thinking about the ignition system, or perhaps
something to do with the crankshaft speed sensor (is there such a thing?). I
read somewhere where if the engine is not thought to be rotating, the fuel
pump will shutdown. Any other thoughts?

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Jeff - 20 Jan 2005 03:11 GMT

At times, my '97 explorer will just spin over and over. I found that if I
wiggle the crankshaft speed sensor on the front of the motor, my car will
start right up. This sensor only has 1.5 v running to it, so a little
corrosion will cause a problem

Good luck!!!
Jeff

> Hi,
>
[quoted text clipped - 19 lines]
>
> Jim

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