It seems this vehicle has had this problem for a long time. I changed the plugs at 50,000 I think. Now has 90,000. It runs rough at idle when in drive and stalls periodically. V6 Any suggestions as to troubleshooting would be helpfull.

Thanks in advance,

Lance

 

Do you happen to have access to a scan tool with a datastream mode so you can monitor things like O2 sensor voltages and fuel trim values real time? If so, monitoring the Bank 1 and 2 Sensor 1 voltages as well as the short term fuel trims when the truck is idling roughly would help you understand if this is likely a vacuum leak issue or something else. My bet would be on a vacuum leak, either intake manifold, PCV elbow, or and EGR valve that is not closing fully at idle.

-Rod

 

No scan tool. Now, it won't start and the battery is good. Does that indicate Armiture? Or, starter or solonoid? How would I troubleshoot this? Much obliged for any help.

Lance

 

What doesn't happen when it won't start? Does the starter turn the engine over? If yes, it's not armature/starter motor, relay, or solenoid.

-Rod

 

Sorry, I should have stated that no turnover from starter. Only a clicking noise that I haven't isolated as yet.

 

Single click or rapid series of clicks? Have you tried tapping on the starter motor to see if you can get a start or two out of it before it acts up again?

-Rod

 

That's what I was thinking to do but it was late and at the nighbors house. It is a single click.

 

You could check for relay coil trigger to the starter relay, and if is present, then reinstall the relay and check for trigger to the starter solenoid. This will probably require someone skinny to slide under the Explorer and snake their arm around to the starter motor assembly while another person turns the key to start. Of course the person under the truck will want to make sure as the engine turns over and possibly starts nothing will be near the belts.

You could also try shifting to neutral and starting it in the event the problem is with the transmission range sensor, but I don't think you'd even get the single click if that were the case.

-Rod

 

Clicking usually indicates low voltage at the solenoid. Clean your battery connections.. check cable condition for corrosion

Check the battery voltage at rest (12.6vdc)
check battery voltage, key in start position, no lower than 10vdc,. return to 12.6vdc Key off.. .Philip

 

A series of clicks would indicate low voltage as the starter attempts to engage but drops out due to low voltage, the open load lets a surface charge build back up on the battery, the relay/solenoid engage again, and the cycle repeats. A single click is indicative of other issues such as worn brushes in the starter.

-Rod

 

New starter by me and a Ford computer reflash fixed the stalling.

Thanks for input.

 

Thanks for the follow-up!

So the reflash fixed the stalling, new starter allows you to reliably start the vehicle.

-Rod