Yes, if the relay is defective the pump will not run, and the engine will get no fuel.
The fuel pump relay for your 1997 Ford Explorer - is the # 6 relay in the power distribution box in your engine compartment
That would be very unlikely.
97 fuse and relay loction
The auxiliary relay box #2 is behind the right headlamp, under the air cleaner box.
Do it have power through it? Check for relay Do it have power through it? Check for relay
Its bolted to the inner fender on the drivers side near the battery
In a 1997 Ford Explorer : I was looking at the Owner Guide and it shows that it is the ( # 6 relay ) The fuel pump relay is one of the 3 large relays in the Power Distribution Box ( which is " live " ) The fuel pump relay is in the 2nd row from the drivers side , and it is the 2nd large relay from the front of the box / vehicle * the other large relay in that row is the PCM relay and the large relay in the first row from the drivers side is the Wide Open Throttle Air Conditioning relay
The relay is located in a black box behind the right front headlight,right under the heater hose
The flasher relay and turn signal relay are located under the instrument panel near the steering column.
Relay # 6 ( it's one of the two larger relays in the 2nd row from the driver side and the 2nd large relay from the front end of the Power Distribution Box , which is " live " , located in the engine compartment of a 1997 Ford Explorer )
On a 1997 Ford Explorer : The fuel pump relay is in the Power Distribution Box ( which is " live " ) located in the engine compartment near the brake fluid reservoir It is one of the 3 LARGE relays It is in the 2nd row from the drivers side and the 2nd LARGE RELAY from the front end of the P D Box
The 1997 Ford Explorer has a wide open throttle A/C relay in the power distribution box in the engine compartment , so if you " floor it " apparently YES