Rough start, then run smooth...intermittent
5

Asked by HAWKZILLA Feb 20, 2014 at 11:28 PM about the 1996 Ford Explorer 4 Dr XLT 4WD SUV

Question type: Maintenance & Repair

Hello,

96 Explorer.  This problem has been going on for some time.  It is intermittent, and
would never be able to produce the issue on demand, it just does it when it does it.  
The it is a starting issue, it turns but wont start, then when it does it runs REALLY
rough, like it is on limited cylinders, but then smooths out and runs great.  

New plugs and wires, fuel pressure was checked and confirmed to be good.  I also can
hear the fuel pump running when the key is turned to the on position.  

This problem does not necessarily happen every day.  It could be at any variable, daily
for a while, then once a week later, than twice in row...  Extremely hard to tell when it
may do this

3 Answers
73,320

OJ answered 10 years ago

Sounds like one of those issues relative to an idle control device - electrical. The Ford mechanic down the street is at work, so I'll ask when he gets home. Both of us have 96 explorer v6's for our grown kids.

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535

Paw_fordman answered 9 years ago

After the vehicle sits for a day, connect a fuel pressure gage, cycle key to build pressure. Once built, shut key off, and watch to see if fuel pressure holds or drops. If it has dirty and leaking injectors, it will drop fairly quick, and has the same effect as a flooded engine, in that it will run rough until the fuel burns. If not leaky injectors, then next shot is if fuel regulator isn't holding the pressure, it could be back filling with air, and has to purge each startup.

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40

GuruTFFMF answered 5 years ago

Iook Mine cranks and runs good except when I take off then I have no power it will not go but it runs great when you get going

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