This is strange

Bob N.Y. · Jun 3, 2015

I have a 2001 Ford Explorer 4.0 SOHC V6. I got home about 8:30 last night, put it the garage and shut it off, Everything seemed normal. Tried to start it late this afternoon. It would crank like mad but not a single putt. When I would turn the key I good hear the fuel pump relay click on and then click off, but I didn't hear the pump. My son-in-law suggested checking the vent on the fuel rail to see if there was fuel under pressure. I got one small spurt. Decided to pump it up again. I cycled the key a couple times then turned the key all the way. It started! Tried it again a few minutes later and it started right up again and ran perfectly smooth. Any ideas why this happened? Thank you.

37chief · Jun 3, 2015

Sounds just like my 02 E 450 ford . It had good days, and bad days. I put a pressure gage on the fuel rail port. If the relay is working and you see no pressure it is more likely the pump. I finally ended up changing the pump. Stan

RLA · Jun 3, 2015

My guess Bob , you have intank pump starting to fail
Or
Fuel pump Relay issue & maybe connection in the PDB Box
Or
ECC gound issue // connections ( make sure small ground wire off battery NEG is well
gounded, that is the ECC system ground.
or connection @ fuel pump fead wire.
The pump should always cycle, ken on engine off.
It's going to happen again..
Carry something you can bump the fuel tak with..
Ball bat of rubber hammer.....

bison · Jun 3, 2015

Could be a glitch in the ignition switch

jeffcat · Jun 3, 2015

You forgot to tell us how many miles. If you are over 130K or if you let the fuel level get down below 1/4 all the time........Get a pump! I have gone through 2 of them with 373K on my Explorer. Keep your tank 1/4 full or more! The pump gets hot and wears faster.

Bob N.Y. · Jun 4, 2015

Thank you for the replies. I am suspecting the pump too. I have owned it for a little over 6 years. It had just shy of 138,000 when I bought it and has 186,870 now. It hasn't had any major mechanical issues while I have owned it. I have put over a million miles on a total of 7 of these smaller fuel injected Fords and never saw anything quite this quirky.

Gambles · Jun 4, 2015

If you actually do replace the pump, replace it with a Ford part. Don't take the urge to replace it with some cheap aftermarket junk.
While we are on the subject, I just saw that Airtex is moving all of their fuel pump manufacturing to Mexico. Not that they were any good though.

RLA · Jun 4, 2015

Ford list 13 different fuel pumps for this type of vehicle
Assuming is 4 dr with on board Diag, w/o flex fuel from Ford retail is 516.00
Since my real job is Ford parts they are pricey, & they are BETTER than a/m pumps.
If it's FLEX FUEL Model the pump is over a Grand, so you got to be 100% sure you need
a PUMP!
Need the last 8 of the vin to narrow it down.

RayP(MI) · Jun 4, 2015

Had the same thing happen to me on a Chevy Blazer. Cost me a new fuel pump. Fortunately it happened at home. Unfortunately, I don't have a hoist. Did it all from underneath. Not fun. Jumpered old one afterwrd and it ran. Now I am really upset.

Owen Aaland · Jun 4, 2015

If the pump is getting weak it may not have been able to start with residual pressure in the line. Once you bled of the pressure it was able to spin up and work for now. If that is the case you may not be so lucky next time.

T in NE · Jun 4, 2015

With the old Isuzu's you cut a hole in the floor, usually. Most guys who don't the first time save 20 bucks buying the airtex and decide that dropping the tank isn't worth it a month later when they need another new one.

wvfarmboy · Jun 4, 2015

ever think of changing the fuel filter

Bob N.Y. · Jun 5, 2015

That makes sense. Sometimes I just need someone to put things in perspective for me. Thanks.

Bob N.Y. · Jun 5, 2015

I will try that.

davediehl@hotmail.com · Jun 5, 2015

My thought is fuel pump first. Security system second.

This is strange

Bob N.Y.

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37chief

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RLA

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bison

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jeffcat

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Bob N.Y.

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Gambles

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RLA

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RayP(MI)

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Owen Aaland

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T in NE

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wvfarmboy

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Bob N.Y.

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Bob N.Y.

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