1995 EB Safety Problem
Question:
Greetings! I have had my explorer to my independent mechanic and to a local Ford dealership and the problem is not fixed. The car dies while running, sometimes while doing 70 on the interstate and sometimes while accelerating after stopping for a light (and leaving me in the middle of the intersection). Before the engine dies, it acts as if it’s not getting fuel. Sometimes the check engine light comes on, sometimes it does not. My independent mechanic replaced the fuel system and the computer and the problem kept reoccurring. The dealership kept the car for 2 days to simulate the problem and could not, nor could they pull any codes. This problem started last summer and someone I work with said same happened with their ‘95 Explorer and to replace the power relay. Well, we’ve went through about 6 power relays. Did not have the problem during the winter and now is reoccurring over the past two weeks while on vacation. I’ve called Ford customer service and they’re telling me to do what I’ve already done by bringing the car in again to pull codes and to try to simulate the problem, which occurs at random. I am a homecare nurse and depend on my vehicle, so thought I’d try to find some leads here to avoid having to trade it off. Thanks in advance for your help!
Response:
Sheila, I have a 95 EB also, however I have not seen this problem. When the engine dies, does it start right up again or do you have to wait awhile before starts? Does it always start up the first time when the engine is cold? It could be something that’s heating up and failing under temperature. Possibly something in the ignition system. It would help allot if you could determine that when the engine dies if you’re still getting spark. Good luck, Tony — For replies, please remove * from my email address. – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text –
Response:
> I have a 95 EB also, however I have not seen this problem. When the engine > dies, does it start right up again or do you have to wait awhile before > starts? Does it always start up the first time when the engine is cold? It
Tony, when the engine dies, it will sometimes start up again, but it will stall again shortly afterwards. It does not do this from startup from a cold engine; starts every time cold. I have learned to unplug the battery cable and let it set for 30 minutes, then will restart and run til the next random time, with or without a new power relay inserted. I’m really afraid to drive it where there might not be a safe place to pull to the side of the road and wait 30 minutes. When it dies, I still have battery power and when I try to restart, it cranks but does not start or may spit and sputter for a few seconds if it does start but it will not accelerate. > could be something that’s heating up and failing under temperature. Possibly > something in the ignition system. It would help allot if you could determine > that when the engine dies if you’re still getting spark.
I printed this out for my husband and he said he would check this next time it dies. Someone else thought that this might be an electrical problem related to the power seat failure that happened shortly after we bought it 2 years ago. We have not taken it in for this repair yet because it’s the passenger side seat and have not needed this luxury, really. > Good luck,
Thanks for your time, Tony!
Response:
For what it’s worth, a friend had something similar happen to him in his 1994 Explorer. It turned out to be a throttle position sensor. Good luck. Intermittent problems are tough to find and fix.
– Hide quoted text — Show quoted text -> Greetings! I have had my explorer to my independent mechanic and to a > local Ford dealership and the problem is not fixed. The car dies while > running, sometimes while doing 70 on the interstate and sometimes while > accelerating after stopping for a light (and leaving me in the middle of > the intersection). Before the engine dies, it acts as if it’s not > getting fuel. Sometimes the check engine light comes on, sometimes it > does not. My independent mechanic replaced the fuel system and the > computer and the problem kept reoccurring. The dealership kept the car > for 2 days to simulate the problem and could not, nor could they pull > any codes. This problem started last summer and someone I work with said > same happened with their ‘95 Explorer and to replace the power relay. > Well, we’ve went through about 6 power relays. Did not have the problem > during the winter and now is reoccurring over the past two weeks while > on vacation. I’ve called Ford customer service and they’re telling me to > do what I’ve already done by bringing the car in again to pull codes and > to try to simulate the problem, which occurs at random. > I am a homecare nurse and depend on my vehicle, so thought I’d try to > find some leads here to avoid having to trade it off. Thanks in advance > for your help!
Response:
Thanks for the lead, Tommy! I guess what I don’t understand is why Ford just took my money and left me hanging with no follow-up, no hints of what might be wrong, etc. which is why I’m very hesitant about taking it back to another dealership, even to trade for another Ford. This is my first/last Ford. Thanks again! – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – > For what it’s worth, a friend had something similar happen to him in his > 1994 Explorer. It turned out to be a throttle position sensor. > Good luck. Intermittent problems are tough to find and fix. > Greetings! I have had my explorer to my independent mechanic and to a > local Ford dealership and the problem is not fixed. The car dies while > running, sometimes while doing 70 on the interstate and sometimes while > accelerating after stopping for a light (and leaving me in the middle of > the intersection). Before the engine dies, it acts as if it’s not > getting fuel. Sometimes the check engine light comes on, sometimes it > does not. My independent mechanic replaced the fuel system and the > computer and the problem kept reoccurring. The dealership kept the car > for 2 days to simulate the problem and could not, nor could they pull > any codes. This problem started last summer and someone I work with said > same happened with their ‘95 Explorer and to replace the power relay. > Well, we’ve went through about 6 power relays. Did not have the problem > during the winter and now is reoccurring over the past two weeks while > on vacation. I’ve called Ford customer service and they’re telling me to > do what I’ve already done by bringing the car in again to pull codes and > to try to simulate the problem, which occurs at random. > I am a homecare nurse and depend on my vehicle, so thought I’d try to > find some leads here to avoid having to trade it off. Thanks in advance > for your help!
Response:
Actually, Shiela, it is not the dealership that hasn’t called you back, it is ’someone’ who works at the dealership that hasn’t called you back….. someone much like me or you or perhaps you best friend down the street. Perhaps they aren’t good at their follow ups or perhaps they are a little timid to tell you that intermittent fault diagnosis can be expensive……. very, very expensive. Having said that, let’s see if we can’t come up with a logical chain of diagnosis to try and help alleviate your problem quickly. What may help is to see if there is a pattern….. does the problem happen in similar weather conditions on each occurance? Time of day a factor? Is it more likely to happen when you are using a particular accessory or group of accessories? Does it happen in one particular area of your county? Jot down anything else that may be similar in each occurance. While this may not lead us to the problem, it can tell us what not to pursue. You mentioned replacing ‘power’ relays…… There should be two that you are concerned with. First, one that powers up the PCM…. at the same time, check the connectors in the socket to be sure they are clean and tight (very important). Similarly, the relay for the fuel pump with the same thing applying for the connections. There are several ground connections under the hood – these also need to be clean and tight. With the motor running (care needs to be taken around fan blades, pulleys and such) wiggle the cables where they enter the battery connections (while watching for any changes in the way the motor is running). Engine wiring harness and connections can be checked the same way. This should reveal any damaged harnesses or wiring components. It may also be beneficial to repeat this procedure with the harness running back to the fuel tank and (if it can be reached, the connector on top of the tank. If the association game and the wiring examination don’t help, it appears that it may be a sensor or actuator developing an intolerance to heat or some other condition…. Hope this helps… — Jim Warman
– Hide quoted text — Show quoted text -> Greetings! I have had my explorer to my independent mechanic and to a > local Ford dealership and the problem is not fixed. The car dies while > running, sometimes while doing 70 on the interstate and sometimes while > accelerating after stopping for a light (and leaving me in the middle of > the intersection). Before the engine dies, it acts as if it’s not > getting fuel. Sometimes the check engine light comes on, sometimes it > does not. My independent mechanic replaced the fuel system and the > computer and the problem kept reoccurring. The dealership kept the car > for 2 days to simulate the problem and could not, nor could they pull > any codes. This problem started last summer and someone I work with said > same happened with their ‘95 Explorer and to replace the power relay. > Well, we’ve went through about 6 power relays. Did not have the problem > during the winter and now is reoccurring over the past two weeks while > on vacation. I’ve called Ford customer service and they’re telling me to > do what I’ve already done by bringing the car in again to pull codes and > to try to simulate the problem, which occurs at random. > I am a homecare nurse and depend on my vehicle, so thought I’d try to > find some leads here to avoid having to trade it off. Thanks in advance > for your help!
Response:
Jim, I’ve passed this along to my husband. Thanks so much for your time. He’s going to check out the connections you referenced. Also, this only happens in warm weather, say 70 and above and after driving for at least 2-3 hours that day. Can’t tag any other features to the scenario as I’m always playing the radio or cd changer, etc. Thanks again and we REALLY appreciate your help! – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – > Actually, Shiela, it is not the dealership that hasn’t called you back, it > is ’someone’ who works at the dealership that hasn’t called you back….. > someone much like me or you or perhaps you best friend down the street. > Perhaps they aren’t good at their follow ups or perhaps they are a little > timid to tell you that intermittent fault diagnosis can be expensive……. > very, very expensive. > Having said that, let’s see if we can’t come up with a logical chain of > diagnosis to try and help alleviate your problem quickly. What may help is > to see if there is a pattern….. does the problem happen in similar weather > conditions on each occurance? Time of day a factor? Is it more likely to > happen when you are using a particular accessory or group of accessories? > Does it happen in one particular area of your county? Jot down anything else > that may be similar in each occurance. While this may not lead us to the > problem, it can tell us what not to pursue. > You mentioned replacing ‘power’ relays…… There should be two that you > are concerned with. First, one that powers up the PCM…. at the same time, > check the connectors in the socket to be sure they are clean and tight (very > important). Similarly, the relay for the fuel pump with the same thing > applying for the connections. > There are several ground connections under the hood – these also need to be > clean and tight. With the motor running (care needs to be taken around fan > blades, pulleys and such) wiggle the cables where they enter the battery > connections (while watching for any changes in the way the motor is > running). Engine wiring harness and connections can be checked the same way. > This should reveal any damaged harnesses or wiring components. It may also > be beneficial to repeat this procedure with the harness running back to the > fuel tank and (if it can be reached, the connector on top of the tank. > If the association game and the wiring examination don’t help, it appears > that it may be a sensor or actuator developing an intolerance to heat or > some other condition…. > Hope this helps… > — > Jim Warman > Greetings! I have had my explorer to my independent mechanic and to a > local Ford dealership and the problem is not fixed. The car dies while > running, sometimes while doing 70 on the interstate and sometimes while > accelerating after stopping for a light (and leaving me in the middle of > the intersection). Before the engine dies, it acts as if it’s not > getting fuel. Sometimes the check engine light comes on, sometimes it > does not. My independent mechanic replaced the fuel system and the > computer and the problem kept reoccurring. The dealership kept the car > for 2 days to simulate the problem and could not, nor could they pull > any codes. This problem started last summer and someone I work with said > same happened with their ‘95 Explorer and to replace the power relay. > Well, we’ve went through about 6 power relays. Did not have the problem > during the winter and now is reoccurring over the past two weeks while > on vacation. I’ve called Ford customer service and they’re telling me to > do what I’ve already done by bringing the car in again to pull codes and > to try to simulate the problem, which occurs at random. > I am a homecare nurse and depend on my vehicle, so thought I’d try to > find some leads here to avoid having to trade it off. Thanks in advance > for your help!
Response:
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