Hello.
I have an 89 ranger 2.3L w 114k miles...

2 weeks ago someone helped change my timing belt for me and bent up some parts. I dont know the name of the part, but it is located behind the camshaft pulley, is aluminum in color and thin and runs between two prongs on a plastic piece (camshaft sensor?). well this part was bent, and now im having issues and wondering if it is related to this bent part. could this be the cause of a delayed start?

OR

any suggestions on how to find the cause of the hesitant start? it only happens the first start of the day, and the delay is about 3 seconds or so.

thanks in advance.

 

Might be a weak fuel pump. When you turn the key a good pump will instantly go to 40 PSI.

Try turning the key to run-not start- for two seconds then off. Repeat 5 times & then see how it starts.

 

THANKS,

This seems to have worked, but I've only gotten to try it once... what can I expect if I have to replace it? and how long can I wait to do the job?

much appreciated

 

Sounds like the pump is weak then. A clogged fuel filter can cause low pressure but that would cause it to bog down at high speeds.

Guess i've been lucky, i'm still running the original factory pumps on my 87/2.9 i

 

Will try to reply more later, thissi

 

Could be a fuel pump trying to lay down on the job, or maybe the fuel pressure regulator acting out, but before assuming that, I'd do some more troubleshooting first.

If this ride is due for a fuel filter replacement I'd do that in any case, then do a fuel pressure check as has been suggested.

If low, then maybe do a voltage drop test on the fuel pump wiring, when the pump is running.

If the voltage drop to the pump is significant & with the vintage on this ride, under vehicle electrial connections deserve to be on the suspect list, as well as the pesky fuel pump relay imo.

The relays internal contacts will wear over time. so you could try swapping it with a like relay, not needed to start & run the engine & see how things go.
If it solves the start problem, replace the relay.

Just some additional thoughts for consideration.

Let us know how it goes.

 

Odds are it's a tired out fuel pump but like pawpaw said, it could be a bad connection somewhere.

If your slow start beomes a no start & you dont hear the pump, give it a dope slap-whack the tank with your hand- & it will probably get the pump going again.

 

Thank you both... unfortunately i havent got the time right now to work on it, but when i do ill post the results.

 

Could also be a leaky anti-drainback valve in the fuel pump, a leaky injector, or a leaky fuel pump regulator. All of these would allow the resting pressure in the injection system to be low, and lacking fuel to run the engine until the pump has had a bit of time to deliver some fuel.
The current draw (amps) test can tell you if your pump is on the way out. You can check pressure with a gauge that hooks onto the schrader valve on the fuel rail. It will also show you if the system holds pressure.
Cycling the key from off to on tells the ECM to run the fuel pump for about 3 seconds with each cycle. This 'pre-pressureizes' the fuel system, so when you crank, the injectors work right away.
Did it do this before your buddy bent the part? If not, it may be that the ignition system does not know which cyclinder is at TDC on the compression stroke, as the cam sensor may have been damaged, as you note. The system (I *think*) goes into fail safe mode when the sensor is lacking. It 'guesses' which cylinder is at TDC, 1 or 4, and picks one to fire. If that doesn't work, the next time you attempt to start, it picks another at random. What it is doing is guessing that either 1 or 4 is at compression TDC, and fires one. If it works, it 'remembers' until it is shut off. This is 'limp home' and probably is not what you are seeing.
If it did it before the belt change, check all the fuel stuff mentioned above. And, if needed, change the fuel filter. Some Rangers had two.
tom