2002 Explorer V8 cuts out during left turns

RedVenom48 · Mar 26, 2019

Ok you Ford guys, have you ever heard of this?

I purchased a beater 2002 Ford Explorer 4.6L Eddie Bauer 4x4. Fully loaded, but needs some love for sure though I did get it to pass AZ emissions! Noticed some things that need fixing, but one that is stumping me is that the engine cuts out making hard to medium left turns.

By cuts out I mean the engine RPMs drop, loss of forward power midway through turn. As I coast out and complete the turn, the engine power comes back 100%. My foot's usually in it when it hits so the Explorer takes off like a bat out of hell lol.

Ive researched enough to kind of get the idea that there could be an electrical short. Most seem to indicate that the positive cable off the alternator to the battery and possibly out of the battery could be the cause. Chaffing on a bracket or AC line even?

@svtfocus2cobra @Zemedici @kevinatfms What you guys think?

HEMI LOL · Mar 26, 2019

pump.

svtfocus2cobra · Mar 26, 2019

lexustech48 said:
Ok you Ford guys, have you ever heard of this?

I purchased a beater 2002 Ford Explorer 4.6L Eddie Bauer 4x4. Fully loaded, but needs some love for sure though I did get it to pass AZ emissions! Noticed some things that need fixing, but one that is stumping me is that the engine cuts out making hard to medium left turns.

By cuts out I mean the engine RPMs drop, loss of forward power midway through turn. As I coast out and complete the turn, the engine power comes back 100%. My foot's usually in it when it hits so the Explorer takes off like a bat out of hell lol.

Ive researched enough to kind of get the idea that there could be an electrical short. Most seem to indicate that the positive cable off the alternator to the battery and possibly out of the battery could be the cause. Chaffing on a bracket or AC line even?

@svtfocus2cobra @Zemedici @kevinatfms What you guys think?

Im thinking electrical short as well. It was my first thought as you described it and then you said it. Most oddball issues I have seen like that on older cars has been from bad wiring. I can try to look it up tomorrow and see if it is a documented common issue.

derklug · Mar 26, 2019

Ground wire, battery to frame, frame to engine.

RedVenom48 · Mar 26, 2019

HEMI LOL said:
pump.

I thought that, and even saw the bulletin for the 2nd gen Explorer fuel pump/tank.

What happens is that its an immediate cut. No stumble, no hesitation like a pump was shut off and there's still some pressure left in the rails to fire off the cylinder.

Its like all the injectors and coils are shut of until the lateral load is removed by straightening out of the turn.

nxhappy · Mar 26, 2019

i thought I saw something on youtube....there is a wire harness near the battery, some of the wires get cut or shorted from rubbing....I would check that harness and all battery grounds. good luck !

blk02edge · Mar 26, 2019

My ranger does the same thing when low on fuel due to bad baffling in my fuel cell. That sounds to me like fuel delivery. Your dash would likely do some intermittent flickering etc if you had loose electrical.

Also sounds like the typical cobra PPRV issues

kevinatfms · Mar 26, 2019

Fuel pump driver module?

I don't remember if they had the pulsed pump or was it the same pump as the V6 which was relay driven with a pressure actuated fuel pulse damper on the pump itself. Check the right rear in the cargo area. They were known to have heat issues with the location and would cause fuel pump sputtering and cutout.

I would check pressure while driving by taping a gauge to the lower windshield and see what the pressure reads as it cuts. If the FPDM or pump itself is acting up the pressure should drop quickly.

Stanley · Mar 26, 2019

I saw this same thing on a Grand Marquis back in the day and it was a wire in the transmission harness being pinched due to the wire bundle not being routed correctly. It was a newer vehicle, but it might be worth checking out.

Zemedici · Mar 26, 2019

Battery cable would be my first guess

Motor mounts?

ssj4sadie · Mar 26, 2019

Not the exact problem you describe, but mine wasn't either and this fixed it. Have a 4.6L? Here's a problem I bet you all have...

RedVenom48 · Mar 26, 2019

ssj4sadie said:
Not the exact problem you describe, but mine wasn't either and this fixed it. Have a 4.6L? Here's a problem I bet you all have...

Good sir, you are a gentleman an a scholar! Appreciate the tip. Ill be sure to check there tonight after work and report back!

svtfocus2cobra · Mar 26, 2019

Here's everything the dealers have recorded regarding to stalling on your vehicle. I read through most of them and didnt find anything soecific to your experience, but it is likely one of these. Hard to read because of the screen but I think you can see it.

svtfocus2cobra · Mar 26, 2019

One that is standing out to me that causes stalling while moving is the fuel filter. It has 136 confirmed fixes and says it is because the fuel filter is heavily restricted with debris. I know your issues sounds a little different but there are thousands of confirmed stalling issues here with confirmed fixes. I would at least start with these.

earico · Mar 26, 2019

Must be a big ****ing spider in the fuel tank.

bullitt2735 · Mar 26, 2019

just turn right three times to make the left

just kidding I don't know that's an odd one for sure i suspect it will take some testing with the old fluke to find the issue though

scott9050 · Mar 27, 2019

My old 97 Mark VIII did this right before the fuel pump died. It is a Ford after all.

Sent from my SM-N950U using the svtperformance.com mobile app

RedVenom48 · Mar 27, 2019

Well, I did the wiggle tests of all wiggle tests on the power cables. Even had it in the air and pulling on all the big cables going under. Nothing. Not even a hiccup.

@ssj4sadie I checked that harness, all looks good no chaffing. Thought I had an aha moment though. Found one of the big red power cables showing signs of rubbing through near the battery tray. I was like "I GOT YOU!!!!"

realized the tray was plastic. ...sonufa.... lol

Found Rock auto has a bosch fuel pump assy for about $180 shipped. Motorcraft for my production date range is about $260. Considering its got nearly 150k, I dont want to risk it needing one.

kevinatfms · Mar 28, 2019

lexustech48 said:
Well, I did the wiggle tests of all wiggle tests on the power cables. Even had it in the air and pulling on all the big cables going under. Nothing. Not even a hiccup.

@ssj4sadie I checked that harness, all looks good no chaffing. Thought I had an aha moment though. Found one of the big red power cables showing signs of rubbing through near the battery tray. I was like "I GOT YOU!!!!"

realized the tray was plastic. ...sonufa.... lol

Found Rock auto has a bosch fuel pump assy for about $180 shipped. Motorcraft for my production date range is about $260. Considering its got nearly 150k, I dont want to risk it needing one.

Check the Fuel Pump Driver Module before you replace anything related to the pump. If you grab the engineering number off it i can find out if its ever been replaced. They were pretty notorious for having bad grounds which is what they use to pulse the fuel pump.

Id also check fuel pressure while driving. You can use IDS or a regular gauge as the 4.6 should have a schraeder valve on the fuel rail.

Drive around and let us know what the fuel pressure is when it happens. It could be the pump as they were garbage to begin with.

RedRocketMike · Mar 29, 2019

I would put a jack under the engine and simulate as best I the strain from a turn.

2002 Explorer V8 cuts out during left turns

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Seriously? No, never.

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Let's go Brandon!

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It's 4:20 somewhere...

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