Intermitten no start problem

[BLOODBANE]

I have a 94 Explorer. Around 220k on the clock. Every now and then it will not start. No warning, it will just crank over. Before I could hit the schrader (sp?) valve on the fuel rail (like I was releasing some of the fuel pressure) and it would fire up. Today it wouldn't. It is getting fuel, just acts like no spark. It only sat for about 10 minutes (ran fine, no sputtering or dogging)anyone else have this problem? Thanks Mark...

 

[tmcalavy]

It has to have fuel, fire and air...you have 1 and 3, time to figure out why you have no fire...start checking for spark.

 

[Captain Ledd]

Check along the fender for the starter relay. My '97 had thee same problem, and when I took the relay off one of the tabs completely broke off and disintegrated. There is a wire that goes from the battery and another wire that bolts to the same lug for regular battery power and distribution.

Though admittedly mine also refused to crank. But none the less, rotted connectors are a easy thing to check/replace

 

[Andy D]

Just for grins, take off the gas cap ,then put it back on and try to start the car.

 

[Andy D]

Just for grins, take off the gas cap ,then put it back on and try to start the car. Do the dash lights come on when you try to start the engine?

In a 20 yr old car, broken wire ends are a distinct possibility. I gave the starter cable TLC all the way back to the fender. I probably had 4 connections crumble when I moved the harness out of the way. to take out the Wye pipe.

 

[BLOODBANE]

New fuel pump relay (I did this when it first started doing this). No loose wires, and I have replaced the coil pack (or whatever its called) and still does it. I was wondering more if a plugged injector or maybe even a bad fuel pressure regulator.

P.S. Didnt do it all day today. Like I say really random type of thing going on.