1997 FORD EXPLORER XLT INERTIA SWITCH

The inertia switch usually does not need resetting unless the vehicle had a severe forward impact. This problem sounds like it's fuel related. Replace fuel filter if it's more than 30,000 miles old. Next, test for about 60 psi fuel pressure at the fuel rail, I think there is a fitting there. This will indicate if the fuel pump is failing.

A more common possibility is one or more slowly leaking fuel INJECTORS, either leaking externally or internally. Being a 24 year old '97, odds are that your engine has well over 100k on it, and if the injectors have never been cleaned and tested or replaced internal partial-clogging-caused leakage is a very high possibility. An external leak is also a possibility, but you would tend to smell one of those around the engine in Winter more than at other times as gasoline evaporates slower at cold temps. Actually, 24years (if the engine fuel system was not thoroughly rebuilt) puts it in the high risk category, for leaky/clogged injector issues-especially if it sits for long periods of time without being drive (such as weeks or months). ...........A FUEL PRESSURE REGULATOR diaphragm that is not holding pressure can produce the same symptom, and those do die eventually. .....Whichever is the cause, you've learned how to work around the problem, which is a handy thing to know......When an injector leaks, the residual fuel pressure in front of the fuel pressure regulator gradually drops. The same can be true if the pressure regulator can't hold the pressure while the vehicle is sitting until the next start attempt..... Every time that you turn the ignition key to ON (but not to START), the fuel pump is supposed to run for only a few seconds before shutting itself off. If the fuel pressure is low in the fuel rail, it can take SEVERAL cycles to build proper fuel pressure for the engine to get ENOUGH of the right mixture for it to start............IF IT IS AN INTERNAL INJECTOR LEAKAGE PROBLEM, when you check the spark plugs you can often tell WHICH injector is leaking by the corresponding plug(s) carbon buildup or center electrode's insulator color being different from the other plugs ...... IF SEVERAL INJECTORS ARE LEAKING INTERNALLY the engine's oil may indicate that by its smell, and by its thinness, just as worn piston rings can from blowby.