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Ford Ranger Starting Problems

339 messages,  Last post on Jun 01, 2013 at 10:51 PM

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Messages Page 26 of 35

#245 of 339 2000 2.5l Ford Ranger by drew57

Jan 03, 2011 (1:38 pm)

My Ranger is having some of the problems others are having, but not others.
It won't start occasionally. Turns over, but won't fire. Leave for a few minutes and most times it will start. The other night, it wouldn't start after trying for over 20 minutes, but when I returned next day, fired up immediately. It doesn't seem to affected by cold, as sometimes it happens in the garage and other times out in the open. A couple of times, it has happened after initially firing, it stalls and then won't refire. Wait 5 minutes, it starts ok. I have started to charge the battery every few days, as this seems to keep it working okay. With the battery fully charged, I can go almost a full week before it won't start again.... the battery is good, new last year and checked 2 weeks ago by a mechanic. I had fuel filter changed when I sent it to mechanics 2 weeks ago, as it wouldn't misbehave for them, and I was desperate to try something, but it didn't solve the problem... Any suggestions? The mechanics are of little help.

#246 of 339 Re: 2000 2.5l Ford Ranger [drew57] by sager2

Jan 03, 2011 (5:16 pm)

Replying to: drew57 (Jan 03, 2011 1:38 pm)
next time it wont start try spraying a little bit of starting fluid into the air intake. If it starts and runs for a several seconds at least youve narrowed it down to a fuel or a spark problem?

#247 of 339 Re: 2000 2.5l Ford Ranger [sager2] by drew57

Jan 03, 2011 (8:17 pm)

Replying to: sager2 (Jan 03, 2011 5:16 pm)
Thanks, I'll try that

#248 of 339 Re: 2000 2.5l Ford Ranger [sager2] by bolivar

Jan 04, 2011 (4:29 am)

Replying to: sager2 (Jan 03, 2011 5:16 pm)
You've narrowed it down to a fuel problem. With no spark, it still wouldn't start.
 
What about fuel pump pressure. Has a mechanic put a pressure gauge on the fuel line while cranking? Not sure of the pressure needed, but it's probably 40 pounds or more.

#249 of 339 Re: 2000 2.5l Ford Ranger [bolivar] by kingtata

Jan 20, 2011 (6:39 pm)

Replying to: bolivar (Jan 04, 2011 4:29 am)
Its the crank sensor

#250 of 339 Re: 94 starting problems [landmaster_1] by jharm

Feb 21, 2011 (7:20 am)

Replying to: landmaster_1 (Jun 10, 2010 8:17 am)
I am having this exact same problem on my 94 ranger except it's on a 4.0 liter . Just one question. What is the "insultaing jelly" or grease that's taked about here. Are we just talking about grease like you might put on a battery post, or is this some kind of special stuff I'm not familiar with??
 
Any one with an answer?

#251 of 339 Re: 94 starting problems [jharm] by gajones29

Mar 01, 2011 (2:00 pm)

Replying to: jharm (Feb 21, 2011 7:20 am)
Di-Electric grease should do the trick.
 
as far as the starting problem goes; i was recently in cold weather with my 93 mazda b2300 (same engine as a 94 ford ranger 2.3 L SOCH) and i started it up, ran fine for about 5 minutes. Stopped at an intersection; went to disengage the clutch and the truck died. I tried cranking it over; but it wouldn't start. I have been in weather below 0 degrees with this truck and its started up and ran perfect every single time; so this would be kind of alarming to me at first. I have spark; my fuel pump works and i have pressure going to the fuel rail. So; what I did was went to the parts store; got some starting fluid and HEET. Get this, I walked back to the truck, took off the intake thought, "hmmm..maybe it will start" and you know what? It started; but it was shakey to hold idle at about 800 rpms, so i poured the whole bottle of heet into the full tank of gas and it took about five minutes for it to work through the engine to remove all the possible moisture that might have condensed in the fuel system.
 
Also, under heavy acceleration I hear what sounds like a knocking noise coming from the engine compartment. I think it has something to do with the cold start system taking air from the exhaust and blowing it into the air intake; could it be a short causing the cold start intake system to engage when the engine is running?
 
Any suggestions/ thoughts?

#252 of 339 94 hard to start by blue95

Apr 04, 2011 (7:56 pm)

My '94 2.3 liter 5 speed manual Ranger is starting to do the same thing i've read in several posts here. For 15 years I would turn the ignition switch and BOOM it was running. Now, in the past few weeks there have been a couple of times i had to grind on it for 5 seconds to get it to start. Today, after driving up to the store, I came back out and it wouldn't start at all. The engine is turning over fine, i have a healthy battery but it's like it has no spark. after about 20 minutes I tried again and it immediately started. Just before it started i had removed and re inserted the fuses and relays in the fuse box. Maybe a dirty connection on one of he relays but thanks to the info i read here i think I'll start by replacing the fuse box relays.
One other thing. about two months ago i tried to start it and i would just hear the starter solinoid go clunk. I finally got someone to push me and it started right up. Haven't had that problem again....Yet. Side note: Both times it wouldn't start was in the same grocery store parking lot almost in the same parking space! HHmmmmmmm...ain't gonna park there no more!

#253 of 339 Re: 94 hard to start [blue95] by drewranger

Aug 24, 2011 (12:38 pm)

Replying to: blue95 (Apr 04, 2011 7:56 pm)
I have the same exact truck and recently have had the same problem. Its crazy, its like it has a life of its own. It decides to start when it wants. I took it into the shop about a month ago but the mechanic couldn't figure out the problem...Two days ago i unsuccessfully spent an hour trying to get it to start. I let it sit for a half hour, came back and it still wouldn't start. Then I unplugged the battery to reset the sensors, let it sit, but it still wouldn't start! So I had it towed to a mechanic shop. When we took it off the tow truck I tried to start it for ***** and giggles, and of course it fired right up. cost me $100 to get it towed.. Anyways, its sitting at the shop right now and the mechanics are clueless. Did replacing the fuse box relays help you in the long run? Does you truck always start now? does this starting problem happen more often when you are low on gas? Could it be the fuel pump? sorry for all the questions. I'm trying to point my mechanic in some kind of direction. Your input would be much appreciated.

#254 of 339 Re: 94 hard to start [drewranger] by blue95

Apr 12, 2011 (3:44 pm)

Replying to: drewranger (Aug 24, 2011 12:38 pm)
I figured a good place to start was to replace the relay packs. Relays are mechanical devices and after 15 years of service it's logical that they may be failing. I found a place on line where you can buy them for only$2.25. I replaced all three of mine for under $14 shipped. Haven't had any problems since but it was an intermittent problem and i don't know for a fact that it's fixed. Time will tell.
I'll look up the website and part # and post it later.

Messages Page 26 of 35

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