the Inertia switch functions

Asked by Guru94KX71 Sep 18, 2020 at 03:44 PM about the 2002 Ford Explorer XLT 4WD

Question type: General

will the inertia switch trip driving through rough roads? and reset itself after a
period of time?

7 Answers

I will be Drive the Explorer for a period of time and then at sometime, It cannot start. It sounds like its going to start and shuts off then cannot start again. I leave it for about 15 to 20 minutes and then it will start. I used to think it was the Air Flow Meter, so I would spray it and clean it and it would start sometimes. I also changed the gas filter recently. It happened to me 3 days ago also....I am going to check the inertia switch connectors as suggested by G A and see if they are burnt

I just went and check the inertia switch. Looks brand new and wiring is all intact. no signs of burning whatsoever. Is there something else I could check to see why I am having this problem??

240

Go to either AutoZone or Advance Auto and ask them to check your Ranger's codes. They usually will do it for no cost. IF they get a code indicating an ignition problem, I'd check the ignition CONTROL MODULE first. This FORD part is well known to be heat sensitive and CAN prevent the vehicle from starting when hot, but allow it to start and run properly when the engine is cold until the part gets too warm again. A quick way to determine if its a gas supply or electrical problem such as this at home is to run the engine until it dies and then IMMEDIATELY after it dies, check at a spark plug while cranking the engine to see if there is any spark.If you have access to an inductive timing light you don't need to use any other tools or take anything apart to check.

I started my Explorer and drove it out my garage. 5 mins after it started and then stalled, I had to crank it 3 times before it started again and drove it to do my errands.

240

IF SPARK IS ALWAYS PRESENT IMMEDIATELY AFTER THE ENGINE DIES...Another thought is that you might have a fuel filter that is NEARLY clogged and if so, it could restrict the amount of fuel flowing through it until the flow is not enough to keep the fuel pressure high enough to keep the engine running. This was more common on carbureted engines (where the fuel bowl level would drop) but it still can happen with FI engines... In either case, once the engine stops running, the residual pressure in the fuel system may slowly push (or pull, depending on where the fuel pump and filter are located) enough fuel through the filter to enable the engine to start after the vehicle sits for a while. SIMILAR to the above situation (BUT RARE), sometimes if the conditions are just right, once the engine starts, the IN-TANK fuel filter/sock will get blocked by stirred up and then suspended gunk being sucked onto to it,and once the vehicle sits long enough, the gunk can fall back off the filter, allowing a restart.

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