Sounds familiar. '97 Explorer, V6, 4WD.
Same symptoms as yours. I also bypassed the fuel shutoff switch, and then
checked the voltages under the rear end at the plug going to the fuel tank
harness. Everything checked out.
Had to have it towed in. Fuel pump alone was $400, plus $200 to drop the
tank and replace it.
WOW you found an honest Firestone shop!!! Rarer then chicken teeth.
Well, I don't go in to Firestone totally blind. As stated above, I
checked everything that I could think of
checking. The Check Engine light was on as I was driving my truck
home. I wasn't on prior to this event. I hooked up a Car Chip and
determined it was an EGR problem. I returned to Firestone and the
tech checked out the EGR and turned off the Check Engine light with
his scanner (I could have turned off the CE light with my Car Chip)
and the CE light has not been on since. I've had the EGR replaced
multiple times by the dealer. I've cussed at Ford many times for some
of their designs - such as putting the PCV valve to where you can't
even see in at the rear of the engine. Why not on the valve cover?
I'm going to be looking for a ~1968 pickup truck as my next vehicle -
I can't see putting $20k into an new one.