I have a 98 ranger ext cab which up til 3 months ago I would have driven cross country. Then it started acting up. It occassionally just decides it doesn't want to start. I've had new plugs and wires put in. I was told it wasn't the starter or battery. And now recently (last 2-3 weeks) it can sit for a few days and start perfectly then for no reason it won't start. It turns over but will not catch and start. I took it to Ford Service center and they put a new DPFE sensor in it and a new battery (they said my old battery didn't have enough cranking amps...) and charged me $400 and I took it home then 2 days later it wouldn't start again. I told them it wasn't the battery when they were telling me is was as the tow truck driver from AAA tried to jump me off using his huge battery and it wouldn't start (twice they came out). My son came over and "popped the clutch" as we pushed him and it started but that won't help me when I'm in the mall or trying to get to work... The weather apparantly doesn't matter cause it wouldn't start when it was hot outside nor now when it's 30 degrees. There doesn't seem to be a reason why some times it starts and some times it won't but it always turns over. Any suggestions would be "GREATLY" appreciated. My next step is to take it back to Ford and I don't think they know what they are doing at this point.

 

Sounds like a fuel problem, since it fires after being pushed...Have you replaced the fuel filter recently? If the filter is plugged, moving the truck might free up the crud enough for gas to pass through.

 

It sounds like a fuel problem to me too. I'm no expert, but I once had a problem with a fuel pump that cuased it to start and not start. Never try to push start it though, so I don't know if that would jar a pump into working. The pump would be the last thing I'd check though.

 

So should I replace the fuel filter or the fuel pump and is this something I can do?? I'm a female with a "somewhat" working knowledge of following the haynes manual...LOL.

 

The fuel pump should be way down your list of things to try. Check the fuel fliter and yes you should be ok with that if you have the a manual. I have a 93 Ranger and it i very start forward.

 

Thanks, will try that first.

 

Also try this -> when it does not start - turn the key back off - then turn the key just to the on position -- see if the service engine light comes on for a few seconds -- it should ! -- If not the computer is not powered and that would be from a faulty ECM relay.

My truck had the same symptems and 1 day I noticed the service engine light was not comeing on with the key so I switched the ECM relay with the A/C relay and everything was well. So I bought new relays and never had a problem again.

when your son bump started the truck could have jarred the relay enough to connect it

My taurus did the same thing & I found it right away.

Cheep fix worth a try!

 

Your inconsistent no-start condition is often caused by a bad EEC or FP relay (somewhat common problem). These little buggers cost about $7 - 10 each at popular parts stores and take about 2 minutes to install. It's virtually guaranteed that it's not a fuel filter as clogged fuel filters cause fuel starvation at higher engine speeds (such as entering a freeway) and you'd experience a dramatic loss of power/engine cutout. Most fuel pump failures are all or nothing operation but on rare occasion they can be intermittent. Usually when that happens, they fail when they get warm and begin to operate when they cool down, but that's not what you are reporting so the fuel pump is low on the list at this point in time.

Next time this problem happens, open the door, turn the key to run (don't try to start) and listen for the buzz of the fuel pump in the fuel tank. No buzz implies electrical problem leading to the fuel pump or the ground. Buzzing fuel pump followed by crank but no-start suggests a no-spark condition (eec relay, maybe) and it would now be an perfect time to check for spark. Use an old spark plug and a helper to do this. You can also try snapping the relay with your finger then attempt to start. What happens is the contact internal on the relay develop corrosion and make a poor connection. It's also possible you have a poor connection elsewhere (not as common though as a bad relay). Oh, that realy is plug and play, and yes you can easily install them yourself.

*Shame on that dealer for putting in a new battery and DPFE ($400, GASP)

**Determining if there is no spark or no fuel will dramatically simply the next phase of diagnostics (you are isolating the area of the problem). This is what your dealer should have done.

 

I like the faulty power relay ideas & how to check, or substitute, for a failure analsis.

I like Bills train of thought on this one, seems to me, with the problem being intermittent, it best fits a pesky fuel pump, or computer power relay.

These relays are located in the under hood power distribution box.
It's on the drivers side, tucked into the area between the fire wall & fender, just adjacent to the brake master cylinder.

If it turns out to be one of these relays, I'd take the faulty relay with me & have a heart to heart talk with your Ford dealerships Service Manager, or higher up, if need be & insist some of that $400 bucks be refunded!!!!

Let us know how it goes.

 

OK, guys, have heeded all your input and have an off duty mechanic coming over tomorrow morning to check these things out for me. Will let you know what we find out. And yes, the heart to heart with Ford Service center is definitely up and coming!!! Thanks for all your advice...

 

Another thing to check.. PATS...

does your key have the chip in it? Look for a FAST BLINKING THEFT LIGHT while trying to start it (when it won't start)

 

Why dont you check the clutch switch that kills the starter when the clutch is out, maybe it's bad and the computer thinks the clutch is out. Also, look under the dash to make sure there isn't an old alarm that might be in there that has a starter kill hooked up to it.

 

OK guys heres what I now know. It is NOT the relay, fuel filter or fuel pump, coil pack, plug or plug wires, battery or the coil wire. I popped the clutch and drove it to my friends house where he will be checking the wire under the dash for anything loose. He has a computer he is gonna hook it up to and see if it shows anything. Also, right after I turned it off at his house, it started right up again, 3 times. Still looking for answers....

 

Check the ENGINE GROUND lead. Had this happen on the RV's 460. The braided lead had to much resistance to turn over the engine (could not pass the current). Use a set of jumper cables to ground the starter DIRECTLY to the battery negative when the situation occurs. You may be surprised.

 

Check out the last sentence of my post #8. Also, how did you confirm good relays?

*Please confirm that you have good cranking speed and it's not slow.