have a 02 ranger..3.0 standard trans 4x4....started running crappy,cleared up and when shut off,now wont start...good spark and good gas pressure...seems to want to try,but just doesn't go.any suggestions.no codes or pending codes.

 

could the cam sensor be causing this?

 

Do you have a CEL lit???? If so, scan the computer for codes & post All code Numbers, as they can offer up good trouble shooting clues.

 

no light..no codes

 

OK, no CEL lit, so does it light up for its self check at KOEO???? When you say no codes, does that mean you've scanned it & found no set, or pending codes?????

 

light works....I have a good scanner..no codes or pending codes

 

Ok good feedback. Did the problem come about slowly over time, or suddenly after some event, as your first post description seems to suggest.

Since the CEL comes on for its self check it isn't burned out & since you say your scanner isnt finding any set, or pending codes stored, it seems to suggest that its something that the computer isn't monitoring.

So, use your inductive timing light to check spark Timing to satisfy your hunch about the crank sensor & your fuel pressure gauge to perform a fuel Pressure & fuel Volume delivery over time tests & post the Numbers.

Since you say it seems to want to start, that suggests its a fuel delivery problem of some sort. Maybe a clogged fuel filter, or crimped fuel line, faulty gas cap thats not properly venting the tank, weak fuel pump, faulty electrical feed to the fuel pump, you filled up when the station was getting, or had just gotten a delivery & the station attendant didn't turn that tank off & you pumped in stirred up sediment thats clogged the in tank fuel pump strainer or fuel filter, or if it happened right after filling, maybe you got a bad tank of gas, ect, ect. So we need some more clues to make a more focused guess!!!!!

In any case don't begin to throw parts at the problem on a hunch. Take the time to perform a good trouble shoot, find the problem or faulty part, then do the repair, or part replacement.

Keep us posted on your trouble shoot.

 

just found out the battery had been disconnected before I did my scan...so that info is now null and void,but he does say no light ever came on.fuel volume is good,filled a quart container in about 30 seconds and pressure is at 58 and holds...no gas smell from regulator or vacumm hose.got to borrow a timing light to check spark timing yet...does have nice blue spark that jumps a 1" gap no problem.

 

OK, fuel volume sounds right, as it's supposed to be a pint/15 seconds & pressure is supposed to be 64 +/- 8 psi, so it's on the low side but still in spec & volume sounds ok, so we can move on to other suspects.

Why was the battery disconnected????

While your under hood, with your multimeter set on the 20 volt DC range, do a battery voltage drop load test, by turning on some heavy electrical loads, like head lights, heater blower on high speed, cigar lighter pushed in, to make sure its able to handel the load, as low battery voltage can cause all sorts of mischief.

If that checks ok, do all dash warning lights come on for their self check at KOEO????

If all that checks ok, since its a 3.0L, has he heard any under hood squeeking noise thats located on the passenger side, back close to the firewall, where the cam sensor is located????