'99 Ranger x-cab 3.0 liter 86,000 mi.
Our '03 Taurus with the same engine as my Ranger has refused to start right away on two warm days. It has only 31,000 miles and has always run like a watch. We turn the key as always and it just won't start or even cough while starter spins engine. Battery is strong. Just began this crap two days ago. It starts after several tries and letting it rest, then runs great. What do I check first? It's way too early for plugs or wires.

 

Well spark & fuel problems come to mind. both can be caused by pesky under hood, power distribution box, power relays, to the fuel pump & computer.

If they stick & don't close, neither will get electrical power to operate the fuel pump, or for the computer to ground & fire the coilpack for spark.

When you turn the ingnition switch to "ON" but not all the way to start, can you hear the fuel pump run for a couple of seconds & shut off???? If not, suspect the fuel pump power relay, so give it a "thump" & see if it'll wake up.

If you don't have all the christmas tree dash warning lights on at KOEO, suspect the computer power relay & give it a "thump" & see if it'll wake up!!!!

You could also try temporarily swapping a like known good reay, not needed to operate the vehicle, say like the A/C relay, with either suspect one & see how it goes.

These power relays are a common problem point. They are about $5-$10 depending on where you buy them.

If neither of these things work, then do a fuel pressure check & spark check, when it's acting up.

There is a valve on the fuel rail to connect a pressure gauge. At 31K miles, getting close to fuel filter changing time on the Taurus.

You could connect an inductive timing light to a plug wire & see if you have spark.

Let us know wat you find.

 

Thanks pawpaw. I'll listen for the fuel pump when I have time to troubleshoot on Saturday. I know the sound well since I garage my Ranger and hear it all the time in there. The Taurus is used by the kids and is always outdoors. For now I have found it will catch if I hold the starter on about a full 15 seconds. I added drygas, topped the tank (1/4) with high test and replaced a very dirty air filter. We will see in the AM when my daughter starts it. Maybe I'll start with the fuel filter if it's still acting up. Is it on the frame under my seat like the Ranger?

 

I don't rightly know where the fuel filter is located on your newer bull, my 94 Taurus filter is located on the RR passenger side frame rail, sorta squeezed in where the frame begins to go up over the RR rear tire

If your gas tank fill port is on the passenger side, like my 94 Taurus, the fuel filter is likely on that side too imo..

You might need a special release tool, to separate the fuel line from the filter.

Be sure to wear safety glasses & release the fuel pressure before opening the filters fuel line connections. You can do this by disablng the fuel pump & cranking the engie for 15-20 seconds, or until it stops trying to start.

The fact your having to crank it so long before it fires, kinda makes me want to think it's a fuel pressure problem. Most autopars stores have a "Loan-A-Tool" program, so if you don't have a fuel pressure test gauge, you could probably make loan of one for a refundable deposit.

If you can make loan of a scan tool, you can monitor fuel pressure by plugging into the vehicles diagnostic port!!!!
My local Advance Auto uses the Actron CP9145 scan tool, to pull codes & it can also monitor PID's like fuel pressure & other live engine feeds. So see if your autoparts store uses a scan too that'll monitor PID's, that might be another option to consider.