OK i'm stumped. I have a 2001 ford explorer(please keep comments about fords to yourself ). I've had 4 episodes where i was driving along with no issues and the even though i am excellerating the car stops running and the stalls out. Once i pull it to the side of the road and try to start it it back fires and qcts like it it out of gas but if you wait 30 plus minutes it will start and run for a bit longer then repeats itself a couple more times but then it will runs for days until it does it again. The check engine light is not on but the check gas cap is on. we replaced the gas cap and it is still on. The first time this happened I had it towed and the mechanic tightened the serpentine belt and fixed the manifold gasket. Does anyone have any ideas????

Asked by Connie Feb 25, 2018 at 06:38 PM about the 2001 Ford Explorer XLT 4WD

Question type: Maintenance & Repair

OK i'm stumped. I have a 2001 ford explorer(please keep comments about
fords to yourself ). I've had 4 episodes where i was driving along with no
issues and the even though i am excellerating the car stops running and the
stalls out. Once i pull it to the side of the road and try to start it it back fires
and qcts like it it out of gas but if you wait 30 plus minutes it will start and run
for a bit longer then repeats itself a couple more times but then it will runs for
days until it does it again. The check engine light is not on but the check gas
cap is on. we replaced the gas cap and it is still on. The first time this
happened I had it towed and the mechanic tightened the serpentine belt and
fixed the manifold gasket. Does anyone have any ideas????

14 Answers

30

fuel problem. could be at fuel filter releasing object when stalls then suckingback in when requiring fuel. have seen the non metal fuel line have a weak spot and collapse inspect fuel line for damage

3 people found this helpful.
101,595

Check the gas tank vent line, EVAP (purge and vent solenoids), fuel pump/filter, fuel pressure.

2 people found this helpful.
157,475

Try driving it with the gas cap loose to see if that lets it run properly. There may be an issue with the fuel tank vent solenoid causing negative pressure in the fuel tank stopping the fuel flow.

5 people found this helpful.
60

It is your guel pump going bad. $80.00 at Avance Auto Parts

6 people found this helpful.

Had this exact issue except mine would only do it when the outside temp was over 105 degrees. I had replaced the fuel pump several times and they had always had issues took it into the dealership and they installed a Motorcraft fuel pump and haven't had the issue again. I would stay away from the airtex pumps I burned through 4 of them in 2 years !

30

I had a 2000 explorer with over 200k miles that shut off on me a couple of times while driving and would occasionally not start on cold mornings but would start later in the day after it warmed up a few degrees. I read online to check the fuel pump reset switch located inside the truck on the passenger side. the culprit turned out to be the wiring harness to the fuel pump reset switch was partially melted. I cut the connector and tied the wires together and bypassed the reset switch until I could get a new connector and reset switch. problem solved.

3 people found this helpful.
40

I had this problem on my 2003 expedition and it was the fuse box . the fuse that control the fuel pump was bad ( burned out )had to send it for repair $ 80.00. New fuse box will cost $300.it's a board where most fuses welded down . it's been 3 years since I had it repaired never had the same problem again. Good luck.

4 people found this helpful.
40

I had this same problem. It would just die... We tried everything, ignition relays, fuel pump, plugs/wires/tuneup, fuel filter, etc... Turned out to be the vehicle roll over switch. It shuts the fuel off if the truck rolls. It was faulty. Once replaced, it ran like a champ.

4 people found this helpful.
20

Replace your fuel filter. It sucks all the dirt tight against the filter until no fuel can pass through vehicle stalls. You sit on the side of the road 30 minutes the dirt falls back off. Vehicle starts. I would try that first. You will need the special tool to replace it. If that is not it, I would hook up a fuel pressure gauge and see what you are getting.

2 people found this helpful.

Sounds like the classic Ford fuse box issue where the built in fuel pump relay fails.

1 people found this helpful.
20

Could be your key... I had the same problem it was the chip in the key I changed batteries starters fuel pump and it was the key the whole time. Don't get the chip reset just get a new key!

2 people found this helpful.
40

this could be a number of things.if you follow the lines coming from the tank on 1 of them it comes off the tank and then it just ends with a little cap. it has to have that little cap.this is the vent line. take that cap off clean it and put it back in. replace fuel filter on frame just behind the drivers door(you need the fuel line removal tool to do this. you can get it at any auto parts store)check in the passenger side foot well by the door this should be the fuel collision shut off. inspect the wiring and the connector if they are in good condition try pushing the button on the top to reset it. it should make a click you will feel in your finger as you push it. if it doesnt push down then it hasn't been triggered. if it pushes down but you don't feel a click its faulty and needs to be replaced.also inspect gas cap. cap must have a rubber ring in it to seal. if it doesn't have ring or ring is cracked then that is the problem. also you cannot replace cap with just any ole cap you buy at a parts store it must be a motorcraft fuel cap. all other caps are slightly different in size and will not seal properly. check metal fuel line for kinks or damage(crushed spot) from road debri impact.follow fuel line until you get to where it turns to the rubber fuel line test the rubber fuel line by pinching it with your fingers. you shouldn't be able to collapse it with your fingers if you can then its no good and must be replaced. when replacing the fuel filter pay attention to the fuel flow arrow indicator on the filter see if it has been installed backwards. if so that is the problem. also watch as you remove the fuel line coming from your tank. it should squirt fuel the second you remove it. if it doesn't then its the sending unit inside your tank that is bad. they will go bad and still initialize fuel flow when you first start the truck but the run cycle won't work so it won't maintain the pressure. some ford explorers have an access panel in the rear of the truck under the carpet. that is the easiest way to remove the unit. be absolutely sure of how you remove the unit and its position in the tank and put the new unit back in the exact same position or you may trap the float against the tank wall disabling your fuel guage. good luck

4 people found this helpful.

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