2002 Ford Ranger intermittent starting.

[Mzbanx]

Hello
I have just recently purchased a 2002 XLT 4.0 6 cylinder manual Ford Ranger it is intermittently cranking not starting, such as it is not getting fuel. Just had the fuel filter, which was dirty, replaced and my mechanic ran it for three days with it starting fine. I drove it 2 days and it happened again will crank but not fire, start. Checked the fuel pump relay by swapping with the blower relay did not help. It is intermediate so don't know where to go from here. The tag on the fuel pump says 2014 so it looks like it was replaced, just not thinking it is the fuel pump but not sure. The Inertia switch was checked and it has never popped. Could that switch maybe be faulty and stopping fuel from pumping. Could that be diagnosed? In Minnesota after a snow storm and nobody can get me in for a week. Just got Better World Towing so that should help for awhile. My mechanic is in the woods, retired and doesn't have the fancy, expensive machines. Any thoughts and ideas would be greatly appreciated. Do Love the truck! 110,000 miles is all!

 

[RonD]

You can HEAR the fuel pump if you listen
While engine IS starting turn off the radio, lol, and Fan, and turn the key on, LISTEN
You should hear a click and then a HUMMMMM for 2 seconds from behind the cab, repeat as many times as needed, key off and then on, to HEAR that HUMMMM of the fuel pump, its not quiet

At the next no start, listen
Fuel pump is an electric motor, and starting an electric motor is when it will fail, once an electric motor is running its not likely to stop unless power is cut
Startup is when you notice an electric motor starting to fail, just FYI


Crank sensor, unlikely but very easy to test
When you turn on the key the CEL(check engine light) will come on, that means computer has booted up
When you turn the key to START the engine will start to rotate and the CEL should go OFF, that means the computer SEES crank sensor timing and will start spark and then fuel injectors
If CEL does not go out when cranking then no timing signal, so no spark and no fuel, most likely bad crank sensor

 

[Mzbanx]

Thank you I will listen for the fuel pump and also the check engine light does come on and goes out. I had been told that the fuel pump can be heard even if it is not working correctly is this true? Thank you for your prompt reply. What is so frustrating is this is intermittent. Was also told a short in the fuel pump relay or Inertia switch...urrrrr....

 

[RonD]

No, in your case you wouldn't hear the fuel pump if its motor was failing

There are cases when fuel system can fail with a working pump, but system is down until repaired, not intermittent

 

[Ruttinbuck]

Hello
I have just recently purchased a 2002 XLT 4.0 6 cylinder manual Ford Ranger it is intermittently cranking not starting, such as it is not getting fuel. Just had the fuel filter, which was dirty, replaced and my mechanic ran it for three days with it starting fine. I drove it 2 days and it happened again will crank but not fire, start. Checked the fuel pump relay by swapping with the blower relay did not help. It is intermediate so don't know where to go from here. The tag on the fuel pump says 2014 so it looks like it was replaced, just not thinking it is the fuel pump but not sure. The Inertia switch was checked and it has never popped. Could that switch maybe be faulty and stopping fuel from pumping. Could that be diagnosed? In Minnesota after a snow storm and nobody can get me in for a week. Just got Better World Towing so that should help for awhile. My mechanic is in the woods, retired and doesn't have the fancy, expensive machines. Any thoughts and ideas would be greatly appreciated. Do Love the truck! 110,000 miles is all!

Did you ever find out what your problem was? Mine is doing the same thing 2002 4l , when it happens to me I just turn the key on and off 2-3 times and it will start right up. Strange.

 

[Mzbanx]

Yes it was the fuel pump. I was told by numerous people the fuel pump was not intermittent on this vehicle. But if true it may have been with the OEM original fuel pump but mine had been replaced in 2014 with a cheap O Reilly one. I purchased one from Advanced Auto that the mechanic said was a better quality. If I had it to over again would of purchased a OEM. I would try through Rock Auto first if you can. Mine may have started by turning the key a few times as this pumps gas in, then started but it went on and on so I cannot really remember. I would suggest checking the pressure valve, which is hard to find in engine, by the back panel center left. I found a U Tube video that showed me where to look very small looks like a bike tire cap. If you press it should shoot out gas mine did not. I would you tube it for info as my neighbor is the one who checked it. Hope this helps and good luck!

 

[Mzbanx]

No, in your case you wouldn't hear the fuel pump if its motor was failing

There are cases when fuel system can fail with a working pump, but system is down until repaired, not intermittent

It was the fuel pump for me but was not original. Had been replaced in 2014 with a cheap one so maybe original would not be intermittent.

 

[RonD]

That is odd for a fuel pump motor

 

[Ruttinbuck]

Thanks, mine has been doing that for 6-8 years now very intermittently that is the strange part. I remember reading somewhere that another person was having the same problem and he said he found by turning the key on and off a couple times before trying to start it again it will start right up. That’s what I’ve been doing seems to work. I thought if the pump was getting bad it surely would have died by now, maybe it’s time to look into a new one. Thanks for the input.

 

[Mzbanx]

That is odd for a fuel pump motor

Yes I guess though I was told different views by different people. The mechanic who changed it said yes they can be intermittent.

 

[Roert42]

Sounds like an issue with the check valve on the sender not holding pressure in the system as opposed to the fuel pump it self failing.

If it will start after cycling the key on and off a few times.

 

[Ruttinbuck]

It’s never happened when the vehicle is cold, only happens when I’ve driven awhile and shut it off for a few hours then go to restart its a mystery lol

 

[Roert42]

It’s never happened when the vehicle is cold, only happens when I’ve driven awhile and shut it off for a few hours then go to restart its a mystery lol

Leaky fuel injectors flooding the engine?

Next time it happens hold the gas pedal all the way to the floor and crank the engine over, that'll kill the injectors, if it still fires up with the pedal all the way on the floor then you have an issue with injectors.

or

Next time it happens pop the hood and check the fuel pressure if you think it is an issue with the fuel pump. Doesn't really sound like a fuel pump to me.

 

[Ruttinbuck]

. I’m with you on I don’t think it’s the fuel pump. not sure why it will start right up after cycling the key a couple times. Unless it the check valve like some suggested, acting up by times and when i cycle the key it’s pressuring the system? Lol

 

[Roert42]

when i cycle the key it’s pressuring the system?

Yes, that’s the theory.

the pump only runs for 2 seconds, but if there is no pressure in the system it may take 5/6 seconds to build up enough pressure.