i have a 99 Ranger that when hot it will not start in Park but will in most cases start in Neutral. but when it sits for a while it fires right up. any suggestions

 

Neutral safety switch????

 

Welcome to FTE.

I agree with rywegh, sounds like the tranny neutral safety/Transmission Range Selector(TRS) switch, it's electrical connector, or wiring, belongs on your suspect list.

Let us know what you find.

 

I am remiss in my duties, Kisso. I did not notice that was your first post. Welcome to FTE! I hope you can get the answers you need and come back for to enjoy Ford Truck enthusiasm.

 

thx. I will try this today

 

thx pawpaw, i will give this a try and let you know whats the result

 

rywegh or pawpaw, i re-positioned the neutral safety switch and seems to work fine at this point, but i only get around 15-16 mpg. The truck is a V6 3.0 and has 159k, is there anything that can help with the gas mileage. I am a first time ranger owner and thought it would be better on gas

 

OK, good feedback on the TRS, hope repositioning it lasts.

The 3.0L should get better mpg than that, but we don't have any clues to work with.
Have the computer scanned for trouble codes & post All code Numbers found, as they can provide good clues on a trouble shoot.

Obvious questions are, where is the vehicle on All past & present due scheduled maintenance items, like plugs, wires, filters, PCV valve, O2 sensors & are they OEM, or of a type that says they meet or exceed Fords specifications???? Are all vacuum hoses, including the PCV hose, in good shape, fit tight & hooked up???? Are you using the specified service grade & viscosity engine oil???? Is the engine sludged up inside????

Is the vehicle still in stock form, or has it been modified??? Like has it had any mods to the air intake system, or had an oiled foam, or cotton gauze type air filter installed, or some other mod that has messed with the origional stock set up?????
Does it have the specified stock tires installed????

Some thoughts that come to mind that would be helpful to know in trying to help you think through your mpg question.