engine problems

1981 FORD EXPLORER
130,000 MILES • 4.0L • V6 • 2WD • AUTOMATIC
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ZEIK1154
  • MEMBER
  • 26 POSTS
in am fuel pump stays on and won't start until i move shift up/down few tomes.....runs ruff for few min and engine light on then smooths out and light goes off......
Jul 1, 2021 at 2:04 AM
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KASEKENNY
  • Experienced Mechanic
  • 18,907 POSTS
Sorry for the delay. There was a link or something attached to this post that caused it to give us an error but we got that figured out.

First did you mean this is a 1991 Employer because we didn't have one in 1981?

I suspect you have two issues. One is a park neutral switch that is preventing the start. Then once it is started, you have a fuel or vacuum leak.

Couple things we need to start with on this. Let's deal with the no start issue which we will need to take the column apart to replace the switch but I am pretty sure that is the issue with the no start.

Then once it is started, we need to check fuel pressure and for a vacuum leak. Here are guides that will help with both:

https://www.2carpros.com/articles/how-to-check-fuel-system-pressure-and-regulator

https://www.2carpros.com/articles/how-to-use-an-engine-vacuum-gauge

Please run through this material and let us know what you find. Thanks
Jul 15, 2021 at 3:44 AM
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