I have a 2002 Ford Ranger XLT long bed with the 3.0 V6 and 5 speed auto tranny. It has been doing great until the transmission failed at 8500 miles which turned out to be a defective/cracked servo in the transmission which was replaced under warranty by the dealership.

It works fine now except about a week ago, it started have trouble starting all of a sudden just out of the blues and I thought it was bad gas and I put some fuel injector cleaner fluid in the gas tank thinking it might clear any water there might be in the fuel injectors but now I doubt that since I have refueled at a different gas station and it still has starting issues. It will start ok in the mornng when cold but when I go to some place like work and let it sit for a couple of hours until lunch and then it will have trouble starting and makes this clankety clank noice (can't desribe noise) but will crank for about 4 or 5 seconds before it will finally start and sometimes will not run after starting and would have to start it again and it would seem to barely start and would run a little rough after starting. it seems to run fine after I get it started and let it idle for a minute to allow it to straighten out. I use the 5w-20 synthetic blend which is what came with it from the factory. I checked the oil this morning and it was dark and thick looking which I guess is normal for cold synthetic blend oils (only has 2500 miles on the oil. Anyone out there seen starting issues like this on their 2002 rangers?

 

Some time ago I had a clanky type noise after starting the vehicle but it went away after awhile........cause was the starter gear failing to recoil back after starting......cheap fix.

don't know if your problem is related

i gotta 93 ranger 4x4 ext cab 4 litre

marmot

 

thanks for your input. I have about decided I might have a bad dose of gas in the gas tank. It has been starting fine today and so. maybe the fuel injector cleaner is doing the trick. I'll just burn this tank of gas up before refueling at a better quality location and see what happens.

 

got my starting problems fixed on my 2002 ranger today under warranty. culprit was the air bypass valve which failed and was replaced under warranty. thanks for your help.