my friend has a 160k 96 ranger 2.3l auto truck. for some reason it has been having problems starting. BUT only when we drive it for a while and it gets to normal operating temp. then when we turn it off for a few minutes, and try to start it back up again, it wont start. it cranks, but no fire or anything. just turns over. its not the batter and he just changed the spark plugs/wires (8 of them) about 20k ago. we replaced the fuel filter on it also and it was dirty. but still wont crank right. we were told to try to let out the pressure on the fuel-line/rod (where fuel goes into injectors, forgot the name of it). it looks like an A/C port, but its for fuel. i believe when he did that, it started right up. after about a week of running it, we checked the filter again, it looked ok, i told him it would cause a lot of rangers have plastic fuel tanks, not metal. any ideas? its becoming very aggitating. any suggestions to check out would be great. again, only happens after its ran, then we have to open the hood and let it cool off for about 5-6 mins before it cranks up again.

 

Are there any codes or is the CEL on (CHECK ENGINE LIGHT)?

 

It appears that fuel is not primed for getting to the cylinders after the engine is turned off.

 

I like the idea to have the computer scanned for trouble codes & posting ALL the codes found. Most autoparts stores will do it @ no cost if your having problems.

Not sure just what "no fire or anything" means, but if your saying it doesn't have spark, after a heat soak, then look to a coil pack, or maybe a computer power relay problem, if the dash warning lights don't light up when it acts out.

If it has spark, but you mean the engine just won't try to run, until it cools down some, or you bleed off some fuel pressure from the fuel rail, then maybe look to a vapor lock problem.

If this problem just began after it's been extra warm where he is & he's using winter fuel, ie fuel with a lower vapor pressure to aid cold starts, this fuel can boil & cause vapor lock, after a high temp under hood heat soak.

If you don't think vapor lock is likely, then look to a fuel pressure regulation problem & do a fuel pressure check at the fuel rail "Schrader valve", where you're bleeding off the fuel pressure & do a KOEO & KOER fuel pressure test & post the results.

Can't remember if your model has the fuel pressure regulator on the in tank fuel pump, or under hood on the fuel rail, but if it's under hood on the fuel rail, pull it's vacuum line & see if there is fuel in the line, if so, the regulators vacuum diaphragm is leaking & the regulator needs to be replaced.

Just a bunch more thoughts for pondering.
Let us know what you find.

 

thanks for the responses, we let out the pressure on the fuel rail out of that valve and it started right up. we live in GA so we dont have the E85 or the cold temp fuel (not that i know of) down here. he said it might be the coil pack also, its weird that it has to cool off first. "no fire or anything" just meant its turning over, but nothing is happening. just cranks, but no actual firing in the pistons, as though there are no spark plugs at all

 

oh, and no codes came up either

 

Sounds like a fuel delivery problem, so do a fuel pressure check at the fuel rails schrader valve, when it won't start.

A inductive type timing light would quickly & safely determine if you have spark.

If you don't have spark & the vehicles warning lights don't light up when it's acting up & your trying to start it, then suspect the computers under hood power relay. They are common problem parts.

Maybe thump it, to see if it'll wake up, or swap out the A/C power relay, for the computers power relay & see if it'll stop acting out when hot.

The same for the fuel pumps power relay, if you find you don't have fuel prssure & can't hear the fuel pump run for a couple seconds, before cranking the engine.

Just because there isn't a CEL lit, doesn't mean no trouble codes have been stored.
Sometimes you'll find "pending" codes, that haven't happened often enough (matured) to turn on the CEL.

Anyway check the fuel pressure & spark & let us know whats found.