Hi everyone,
I'm new to this forum but I sure hope someone on here can help me b/c this problem is driving me nuts and I really need to get my truck fixed. I have a 2001 Ranger that I bought several yrs ago and it ran just fine until the end of Dec. In Dec. I was spending several nights at the hospital with my grandpa and I went outside one morning to go home and I got in, put the key in the ignition, turned it and....nothing. Wouldn't turn over at all. The theft light was flashing and I thought that was odd. Called my brother and he came out and thought maybe battery was bad even though all the lights worked and radio worked. Went and got new battery and still nothing. He thought it could be the chip in the key so we called a locksmith and he came out and hooked his computer up to it and said it didn't read like it had a computer in it at all so he thought the computer in it was bad. Called for a tow to my brother's house and just let it sit for a while b/c several days later my grandpa died. When I felt like messing with it again I tried to start it and it started right up. Ran for a couple of minutes and then it just died suddenly like all power was cut to it. No stumbling or anything, just running one minute and the next minute nothing. My brother took out the computer and let it sit for a day or so and put it back in and started right up. Kept restarting it and eventually it did the same thing. My other brother found some blown fuses and replaced those and it ran fine for a couple of days then it just died again. Asked around and someone said it could be the ignition switch in the steering column so I replaced it and it still wouldn't start. Took out the computer again for a day, put it back in and it ran fine for a few days then it died again. Left it sitting for a couple of days and it still wouldn't start. My brother looked around and told me to go pull the pink fuse in the relay box and put it back in after the theft light quit flashing. The theft light never quit flashing so I put it back in anyway and it started right up. Ran good for a few days and then my husband took it to work and when he got out it wouldn't start so he called me and asked what to do. Told him to take out the pink fuse and then put it back in. He did and it started right up and brought it home. The next day it wouldn't start for me even after I pulled the pink fuse and put it back in. (pink fuse is the fuse for the computer) Left it sitting for a couple of days and it started right up again but now I'm afraid to take it anywhere.
I'm thinking I should start with the pink fuse and replace it but I won't really know if it worked until it leaves me stranded somewhere. After that I guess I should replace the computer in it but my question is if I replace the computer wouldn't I have to get it rekeyed? Any ideas or suggestions would be greatly appreciated b/c short of those 2 things I'm at a total loss. I know a little bit about cars b/c I grew up working on them with my dad and bros. but in a purely mechanical sense. I know nothing about the electrical systems and so forth. The cars I worked on were old school and these issues didn't exist in them!
Like I said any suggestions and feedback would be greatly appreciated!
Thanks, Mian

 

There is supposed to be a pickup coil around the ignition tumbler that gets the signal from embedded chip in key and allows truck to start. Not sure if it is part of ignition tumbler or a separate piece. Do you have a spare key to use? Have you tried flipping the key and trying it that way? I would suspect either key or pickup coil as my first options. Here is a good link that explains system and tells how to troubleshoot if light is flashing rapidly on the no start.

http://www.explorerforum.com/forums/...d.php?t=234975

 

Mian,

Have you ruled out an electrical problem? Enough spark? Interesting that removing the computer and allowing it to disipate allows the vehicle to start again.

Kevin

 

I would check the neutral start switch.

 

I would be taking the fuse panel under the hood apart checking for corrosion or loose connections. I think you are losing power to the ignition system and perhaps all the others because of loose or poor connections. I would also check the ground from the battery to the engine block and to the body, again for corrosion or looseness.
You may be jostling a loose connector when you remove and replace the pink fuse... A good visual inspection may reveal your problem. I don't know the wiring diagram, but if there is a 'main relay' or 'main fuse' I would check them also.
tom

 

Maz, I have tried flipping the key over and it doesn't seem to make a difference and I don't have a spare and didn't really realize how important that was until this problem occured. Figures, huh? LOL Thank you for the awesome link, will definitely check that out.
Kevin, We haven't ruled out an electrical problem and my brother thinks it very well could be one and it is weird that taking out the computer allows it to start again. That's why we thought the locksmith could be right and the computer is messed up. If you have any ideas on electrical issues let me know and thanks for your reply.
G, Will check the neutral start switch and let you know, thanks.
Tom, My brother has checked the ground and it seems to be good but we haven't taken the fuse/relay box totally out to check it just the fuses and relays themselves. I don't know if there is a main relay either b/c there is no labeling on the fuse/relay box as to what anything is. We have to look up labeling on the internet but I will check. It does seem like we're losing power to the ignition system b/c it does absolutely nothing and you can't even hear the fuel pump kick on when you turn the key on. Other times it starts right up without a hitch. I will check all the things you suggested and thanks for the ideas.
Thanks all of you for your replies and advice....At least now I have some places to start!
Will keep you posted.
Mian

 

Welcome to FTE.

If you don't have an owners manual to ID the fuses, one can be down loaded from this link in our "Tech Info" thread atop this forum. https://www.fleet.ford.com/maintenan...ls/default.asp.
Lots of good wrench turning info on our Rangers there, so be sure to check it out.

Be sure to check the cigar lighter fuse, as if it's blown, a code reader or scan tool won't work, because their 12 volt B+ power feed at the DLC is supplied through this fuse & may be the reason the Locksmiths scan tool wouldn't work.

Do you have a CEL lit???? If so, once the DLC has power, run this puppy by your favorite autoparts store for a no cost computer trouble code scan & post All of the code Numbers found, as they can offer up good trouble shooting clues.

At this point I agree, it sounds like an electrical problem, maybe a power feed problem to the computer, especially if the dash warning lights don't light up at KOEO. If thats so, the computer power relay belongs on your suspect list.

If the dash warning lights don't come on at KOEO, or if the starter motor cranks the engine, but it won't fire & run, the computer or fuel pump power relays belong on your suspect list.

Power relays are common problem parts for suddon onset troubles in our Rangers. They are located in the under hood power distribution box, drivers side, back where the fender & firewall meet.

If no dash warning lights are lit at KOEO, try thimping the computer power relay to see if it'll wake up, or try swapping the computer power relay with a like known good one, like the A/C power relay & see if the no start problem clears up, if it does, replace the computer power relay.

At KOEO, you might listen to determine if you can hear the fuel pump run for two seconds & cut off, to prime/pressurize the fuel system for the start.
If you can't hear the fuel pump run, maybe try swapping it's power relay, or thumping it's power relay, or thumping the fuel pump with a broom handel, or wiggeling it's on tank electrical connector, or thumping the fuel tank & see if the pump will wake up & run.

If the starter motor isn't cranking the engine, then we need to look at it, it's electrical feed & relay control.

More thoughts for consideration, let us know how it goes.