Interesting that after your '98 truck is towed to the shop, it then starts. You have to figure that the moving and jerking around while getting hooked up to (or pulled up on to) a tow truck has some kind of bearing on the problem. Loose components or sensors, broken or chafed wires, etc. can cause these types of intermittent failures. So with that in mind, this TSB sets forth some things that should be considered:
Article No. 00-5-4
FORD: 1998-99 RANGER
ISSUE:
Various driveability or engine performance concerns may be present. These concerns could be:
Hard to start
Engine hesitation
Rough or unusual rolling idle
Lacks power
Slight engine surge
Slight rpm fluctuation at various speeds
Engine knock
Engine stumble
These may be caused by an electrical wiring harness that is being chafed by the under carriage around/under the driver's seat area.
ACTION:
Inspect affected wires and determine if chafe is present. If chafe is present, refer to the following Service Procedure for details.
SERVICE PROCEDURE
1. Inspect wire harness and inspect for wire chafing. If chafing is present, proceed to Step 2. If not, proceed with other normal electrical/driveability diagnostics for repair.
2. Remove wire harness interface bracket (connector retaining bracket -14A206- (driving board bracket))
3. Verify Mastic Insulator Patch (F87Z-1310484-AA) is present. If mastic patch is not present, proceed to Step 4. If patch is present, proceed with other diagnostics.
4. If wire chafing is evident between rear of connectors and the start of convolute, repair damaged wire with known wire repair service procedures. Protect repaired wires by applying Flex Wrap (F2TZ-18K459-AA) to affected area. Secure flex wrap with electrical tape or equivalent.
NOTE: CHAFING COULD BE PRESENT FORWARD OF THE CONNECTOR ABOUT 3' (0.9M) FROM THE CONNECTION OF THE -14405- AND/OR -14334- WIRING ASSEMBLIES ON 1998 RANGERS.
5. Clean surrounding area on underside floor pan reinforcement and apply new mastic patch to the clean area.
6. Reinstall harness interface bracket.
NOTE: IF BRACKET IS DAMAGED, INSTALL NEW DRIVING BOARD BRACKET (F87Z-14A163-DA FOR 1998 USAGE OR XL5Z-14A163-AC FOR 1999 USAGE). TORQUE BRACKET TO 8 N-m (6 lbs-ft).
7. Verify repair with road test.
PART NUMBER PART NAME
F87Z-1310484-AA Mastic Insulator Patch
F87Z-14A163-DA Driving Board Bracket (1998 Vehicles)
XL5Z-14A163-AC Driving Board Bracket (1999 Vehicles)
F2TZ-18K459-AA Flex Wrap
OTHER APPLICABLE ARTICLES:
NONE