1994 Ford Explorer – Intermittent Won’t Start Sometimes

Reader Question: Hi,

I have a 1994 Ford Explorer. Most of the time, the car will start up just fine. Other times, it will start and if I park it for a few minutes and try to start it again, it will not.

Yesterday, while I was driving it, it just shut off. I tried several times to start it and it would not. After several attempts of trying to start it and my husband jiggling something on the engine it finally started.

It seems like it tries to start but it is not getting gas. We had the battery tested and it was still good.

Thank you for your time.

Gia

Hey Gia,

These types of intermittent problems can be a real pain to track down and repair. You have to determine what main ingredient is missing, fuel or spark to the spark plugs.

If you are sure this is not an alternator or battery issue, meaning the battery is fine and does not have to be jumped or re-charged for the engine to start.

If this is not a battery problem, my first thought would be you have a crankshaft position sensor is failing, and not producing the spark needed at the spark plugs.

If you are ready to just guess at something, I would replace the crankshaft position sensor. It is fairly easy and cheap to replace as a guess.

I would also inspect/test/replace the ignition module if you do not have spark to the spark plugs, and the fuel pump if you do not have fuel pressure to the engine.

Blessings,
Austin Davis