Aces High Bulletin Board
General Forums => The O' Club => Topic started by: Dnil on September 25, 2003, 12:34:04 PM
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have a 2000 explorer. It wont idle. This just started out of the blue. a couple days ago, i had to turn it over a second time to get it to start. Then yesterday it would kick over and start then die. kick over and die, did this about 5 times. Went and had breakfast, came back tried to start it about 6 more times and it finally started and went to idle.
Now it wont do it at all, no matter how many times I try to start....plus dont want to trash the starter. If i press a little gas it will kick over and run but soon as i let off the gas it dies.
Solutions? Right now it will probably get towed somewhere to get looked at and I really dont want to spend the money.
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Is the idiot light on? Sounds like an O2 sensor.
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Check in this order, Fuel Filter (most likely), fuel pressure sensor, fuel pump. If it's the filter it's a quick and easy fix. The other stuff will require a chilton's manual to walk you thru the procedure. I'd say change the filter and if the problem continues read the manual on how to check the computer for error codes. It's very easy and only requires a jumper wire to get the code.
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Run a diagnostic, most cars have them built in, even my '84 Bronco does. Try a google search for 'ford explorer diagnostic' to find out how to do it and how to read the results. If it's a serious problem your onboard computer has probably detected it already.
ra
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i will probably try the fuel filter later today.
If it was bad, wouldnt it not work at all? Just curious as to why it worked that one time and acted completey normal, drove it for about 45 miles and the car was completely fine. Now nothing. If it hadn't worked that one time I would feel better about this....and no, no check engine lights are on.
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Could be the mass airflow sensor has taken a dump.. It detects airflowing over the sensor.. if it fails the car would have the same problem.
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another question, can the sensors be easily replaced? with limited tools and limited space.
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save yourself time, money and aggravation, take it to your dealer, it may be under warranty.
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It could be a number of things. If I were you I'd call down at the local ford dealer, ask for the service manager if you can get him. Act like you're a mecahanic, and tell him your situation. Act like you're talking about a customers car. :) It's best to have a ford familiar guy diagnose the prob than just throw parts at it because some internet dudes suggested it. :)
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Originally posted by Ripsnort
Is the idiot light on? Sounds like an O2 sensor.
Dude, they're called warning lights. Only german lovers call them "idiot lights" ;)
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We had one in my work the other day. The tech did some tests found the intake manifold leaking. Caused the O2 to malfunction. It has a surging idle and spit and backfired when engine was reved. Is your a v10?
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Don't keep turning the engine over if it won't start - the catalyst will fill up with unburnt fuel and will cause damage (especially when it finally does start and melt the cat!).
I'm not at all familiar with the Explorer but there are several things you can check yourself.
1. Make sure the vehicle has plenty of fuel and that the fuel filter isn't blocked and the pump is working correctly.
2. Ensure ignition circuit is okay, check that the LT leads are secure on the coil. On some vehicles they have special distributor rotor arms (fitted with resistor) that can break down slowly causing misfire/awkward starts (a very common fault these days!). Whilst distributor cap is off check that all contacts are okay, especially the centre coil contact. Check the fusebox and that all ignition/fuel/ECM fuses are not blown.
3. Inlet manifold - make sure that all sensors and vacuum pipes are secure. Is there an inlet pipe between air filter box and manifold that you can remove to have a look at the throttle butterfly and air flow sensor? Some crap could have passed thru the air filter and be obstructing a sensor.
4. What sort of auto-choke mechanism is it on board? Again, check everything attached to the throttle housing.
5. Does it have an Electronic Control Module? Make sure connections are secure and on some they have a vacuum pipe as well. Make sure all pipes are on not constricted.
6. Is there a fault diagnosis module built into the car? Some cars have this either around the drivers fusebox area, passenger footwell or in the boot - check your car handbook or phone a dealer and ask if it has one fitted. If there is a fuel/ignition fault it will display a fault code via a flashing LED. Again, being unfamiliar with the Explorer you may need a dealer to use a special fault diagnosis machine to check certain components.
7. Check the cambelt tension, if it's very loose it may have jumped a tooth and changed the timing, or caused valve damage.
8. Do you have a friend with a similar vehicle that you can try swapping the O2 sensor with?
9. If you can't see anything wrong at all then consult a garage who can inspect the vehicle - it's hard to explain but you can often hear what the fault is and know which system to illiminate.
Hope some of the above can be of use, I stopped being a mechanic back in 1996 but these are things I'd often look for on a non-start.
Good Luck!! :)
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i have read similiar problems now and it could be a number of different things. All of which I am limited on what I can do. I live in an apartment now, ex has all the tools and the garage :( I probably will have to have it towed to a dealer, just a wad of cash i cant afford right now.
Fuel filter I could probably do myself, anything that involves pieces of the engine being moved, not going to happen.
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Originally posted by Dnil
i have read similiar problems now and it could be a number of different things. All of which I am limited on what I can do. I live in an apartment now, ex has all the tools and the garage :( I probably will have to have it towed to a dealer, just a wad of cash i cant afford right now.
Fuel filter I could probably do myself, anything that involves pieces of the engine being moved, not going to happen.
You only need a screwdriver to do most of the stuff on my list. Maybe a small socket set aswell (to remove cambelt cover/distributer cap). Have you any other friends who knows about cars or can lend you tools?
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nope no friends. After more research I am leaning toward an IAC valve. Seems like a lot of folks have this same exact problem. Either raplacing or cleaning this has fixed 99% of the problems. Now just have to figure out how to do it.
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Yup, make sure to get a good carb cleaner to clean it out and clean the throttle housing at the same time, make sure you don't get the spray on any paintwork.
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do you have Schucks auto parts in your area? ( chain of stores, I don't know what areas they are in though) they will loan you the electronic diagnostic tool, plug it into the port and it will read the diagnostics. some things won't show up but it's a cheap, easy way to rule out a few problems.
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Originally posted by Dnil
nope no friends. After more research I am leaning toward an IAC valve. Seems like a lot of folks have this same exact problem. Either raplacing or cleaning this has fixed 99% of the problems. Now just have to figure out how to do it.
http://www.automotiveforums.com/t101116.html
google:
2000 explorer IAC valve - Search Web
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(http://www.vectra-sport.com/images/How_to_images/IAC%20Cleaning/i1.jpg)
step by step here
Cleaning the Idle Air Control Valve (http://www.vectra-sport.com/How_To/Idle%20Air%20control%20Valve.htm)
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Buy a Chilton's or Hayne's manual(about $20). I have one for my 95 Explorer and do most all of the work myself. Tools might be a problem, depending on the job. My Ex sold all of my tools and welder for $600 the day I moved out.:mad: I bought a Metrinch set and it's great! Fits SAE and Metric with same wrench and they are quality tools. Cost about $100 but well worth it.:D Back to the car prob...read the error code before you do anything drastic like call a Dealer. It could save you $$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$.
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just got back from buying a haynes. Now just have to find the bugger. Thanks for the info guys, keep checking back, i may need help.
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think i fixed it....IAC valve. $80 part, took all of 5minutes to do.
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DNIL, you might check the IAC valve.
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Oh MAN! I was too late.
Oh well. Glad you found it on yer own.
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Glad you got it fixed. Was gonna say it could be something as simple as water in the gas. Fresh fuel up with new gas could fix it.
Les
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since this thread is here.
A while back I posted a problem, couldn't get the freakin O2 sensor off the manifold. Turns out there is a special tool designed for this purpose. Looks like a spark plug socket, but has a slot in it for the sensor wire to go through. Snap it onto a breaker bar and you are golden.
(I ended up replacing the manifold btw, it was cracked on the underside.)
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Originally posted by Dnil
think i fixed it....IAC valve. $80 part, took all of 5minutes to do.
Just for kicks, call the Dealer you were thinking of taking it to and get a quote on replacing the valve. I'm willing to bet it's around $400.;)
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oh yes, easily that much. Changing the oil is harder then doing this, its 2 freaking bolts to change.
Plus pepboys wanted to charge 249 for the part. Dealer was around 80. Glad I came here and researched on the net.
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One thing to keep in mind, Pep Boys, O'Reilley's and most chain auto parts stores will match prices. Can come in handy when the place with the cheapest price is out of stock.
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Dang...I'm too late, but I'm glad you found it.
My 2000 F-150 suffered the same problem. I cleaned the IACV and throttle body, no more problems.
There are a lot of good websites out there for the F-150, must be as many for your Exploder. (no that's not a typo :D )
A local dealer wanted 80 bucks to look at it and around 400 to repair if replacement of the IACV was necessary. Take your VIN # when you go see the parts guy at the dealer, that will help him select the right part for your vehicle.
The same dealer tried to tell me it was going to cost me 730 bucks for a front rotor! I bought 2 rotors for 112 each from Stillen Motorsports, and unlike the dealer models, these are crossdrilled.
Good post man.
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did someone say rotors?