hard start
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Senior User
Joined: Mar 2004
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From: stevens point
hard start
allright i have a 94 ford ranger 4.0 auto w/ 128k
sometimes when i get in my truck and try to start it, it cranks once then doesnt do anything then if i keep trying to turn it over, it does the same thing, and then when it does start it gives a small back fire then starts. when it doesnt do that, it still is hard to start, it cranks but it wont start. i have to turn the key two or three times. any idea what is causing this?
sometimes when i get in my truck and try to start it, it cranks once then doesnt do anything then if i keep trying to turn it over, it does the same thing, and then when it does start it gives a small back fire then starts. when it doesnt do that, it still is hard to start, it cranks but it wont start. i have to turn the key two or three times. any idea what is causing this?
Post Fiend
Joined: Feb 2003
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From: Eastern WA
When you say "it cranks once then doesnt do anything ", I can't help but first suspect a bad battery. If you do this with the headlights on and someone is watching them, do they dim considerably?
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Joined: Sep 2003
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From: Charlotte, NC
does it spin slow? I know my 3.0L did that, minus the backfire, and the starter solenoid was going bad, finally it got to the point that it wouldn't start at all and we had to push start it to get it to the shop so i could work on it. Another thing could it be the fuel pump? I had a problem with mine, that stopped after a while, but it started when it got warmer, listen when you turn the key to the on position and see if there is a whirr coming from behind you where the fuel pump is, that might not be it, but look into it, not sure if that would cause a back fire when it starts, not 100% sure on what would cause that backfire, never have had one, so i don't know.
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From: stevens point
yes, it does spin slow. i think it is the starter because today i had my truck up on the lift in auto class and we looked at the starter and the starter was completely covered in oil! i dont know were the leak is but it doesnt drip very much, maybe one or two drips a night. could the leak in my valve cover cause this or could it be the rear main seal?
also, now my truck doesnt even turn over. it just clicks so my starter is bad, which sux, i am hoping that the warranty on the starter will cover it. hopefully it will.
i did not change the fuel pump, but i hope that its not htat, i did change the fuel filter today tho. im hoping it is just the starter.
it doesnt always backfire but it does sometimes. thanks
also, now my truck doesnt even turn over. it just clicks so my starter is bad, which sux, i am hoping that the warranty on the starter will cover it. hopefully it will.
i did not change the fuel pump, but i hope that its not htat, i did change the fuel filter today tho. im hoping it is just the starter.
it doesnt always backfire but it does sometimes. thanks
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From: stevens point
well we tested the battery w/ a test light, and i just tested the cranking power a month ago w/ the vat 45 or sumthing like that. when i hit the starter w/ a hammer it sumtimes turns over. so im gonna get the starter checked
and no i didnt check to see if the lights dim when i crank it. i will do that tho when i get a chance cuz right now it's sittin at the school parking lot
and no i didnt check to see if the lights dim when i crank it. i will do that tho when i get a chance cuz right now it's sittin at the school parking lot
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Joined: Sep 2003
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From: Charlotte, NC
when i had a problem similar to that, it wasn't the starter that was bad, it was that little piece attached to it, the solenoid. We replaced the battery, it was needing replacement anyways, so i went on and did that, still no start, pulled the starter, took it to Advance Auto Parts and they said it was fine, put it back in, pulled the truck out of the driveway and hard started it by dropping the clutch in 4th, took it to the local garage and got them to look at it, was the solenoid attached to the starter, unfortunately, you can't buy just the solenoid, had to buy the whole assembly. It turned over slowly, and got even slower and slower until finally it wouldn't start. The guys at Advance didn't pay attention to see if the solenoid was engaging, yet the starter was spinning.
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From: stevens point
ah ha ford truck lover, that makes sense! that is what it is doing, i just hope that i can still use the warranty to get another starter. thanks
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From: stevens point
well i went and got a new starter ( surprisingly enuff they didnt even test my old starter! the just gave me a new one ) and it started right away, no problems. started just like it should! woo hoo!