* The Ignition System's Role: The ignition system is responsible for creating the spark that ignites the air/fuel mixture in the engine's cylinders. A weak or faulty ignition system (coil, wires, distributor cap/rotor, crankshaft position sensor) can lead to misfires, causing sputtering and rough running.
* Fuel Pump's Dependence: The fuel pump is usually controlled by the Powertrain Control Module (PCM). The PCM monitors various engine sensors, including those in the ignition system. If the PCM detects a serious problem in the ignition system (like a persistent misfire), it *might* cut power to the fuel pump as a safety measure to prevent flooding the engine with fuel. However, this is a less common scenario. A more likely outcome is the PCM attempting to compensate for the misfire by adjusting fuel delivery.
* More Likely Culprits for Sputtering and Fuel Pump Issues:
* Clogged Fuel Filter: This is a far more common cause of sputtering and reduced fuel delivery.
* Weak Fuel Pump: The pump itself might be failing.
* Low Fuel Pressure: A pressure regulator problem could also restrict fuel delivery.
* Faulty Crankshaft Position Sensor: This sensor is vital for timing the ignition and fuel injection, and a faulty one can lead to serious running problems, including sputtering.
In short: While a severely faulty ignition system *could* trigger a protective shutdown of the fuel pump in some cases, sputtering in a 1995 Explorer is much more likely due to problems directly related to fuel delivery or other ignition components besides the ignition switch itself. Diagnosing the problem requires a systematic approach, checking fuel pressure, the fuel filter, and then investigating the ignition system components.
