wont start when engine has run for awhile

[belldr]

i have a 92 ford explorer starts good cold, but after driving it for a while it just clicks when you try to start it, let it sit for about 20 minutes it will crank and start, any suggestions

[shorod]

Welcome to the forum!

I'd suggest you start by checking for both fuel pressure and spark when it won't start. You'll need to know which of these you have before anyone will be able to give you much guidance.

Personally, I'd start by checking the fuel pressure. Based on your short description and the age of the vehicle, it sounds like the fuel pump may be failing. It is an electric motor located in the fuel tank. As it warms up due to running for awhile, a winding may open, short brushes may stick, bushings may get tight, etc. and the motor/pump fails to run.

-Rod

[RickMN]

I assume you checked battery voltage when this happens. If not, that's your first step. Engine compartment heat can do crazy things to a battery and electrical connections. If the battery voltage checks out (above 12.5 volts) and it still just clicks when it's hot, that points to an electrical problem. That's most often a poor ground. Clean battery terminals, batt neg to body, batt neg to engine, and engine to firewall. That's first step.

[shorod]

Originally Posted by RickMN

I assume you checked battery voltage when this happens. If not, that's your first step.

Yep, I missed the part in the original post about the clicking. Agreed that that would indicate a voltage/current issue or starter issue rather than fuel.

Is it a single click when it won't start, or a series of rapid clicks? A single click would point towards a starter issue, a series of rapid clicks would be more indicative of a voltage/current issue.

-Rod