Soul crushed and seeking advice on starting problems


Doesn't that imply it gets returned to the restaurant?
 
@TacoBelleGirl
Just cuz it's fixed don't become a stranger... (y)

Not gonna! I've just been working, plus I wanted to get through the week before giving an update.
I actually was considering waiting till tomorrow so a full week would go by, but obviously did not choose that route.

So.. an update on the ranger:
In total I have started the truck 13 times with no major issues, but with a few things to note.
- Once it started, rev'd up, then lost all power and nearly died before the ECU was able to catch it.
- it has mid crank stopped once, possibly twice (separate occasions) but I think the other time I may have just released the key too soon since I was pretty tired.
- It remains noisy, but more concerning is I feel like it's noisy specifically in the moment when the engine actually fires off and the key is still in the "start" position. I feel like the truck has pretty much always sounded like that though? But it's always been kinda broken so that's not a great judge lol.

Overall though I feel like this is the best my truck has ever started before which I would say is a huge win!

Some other things that are probably helping:
- New battery (850CCA group 65 if memory serves me correctly)
- New ground wires on passenger side + a new terminal

I have honestly forgotten just how well this truck drives despite how much is worn out. Ancient tires, struts that are probably doing nothing, bad alignment, decades of use and shoddy DIY repairs and yet it still just feels good to drive.
Tomorrow I plan on installing new shocks. I bough KYB Excel-Gs since they are generally considered to be about equal to OEM online and that seemed like a fair place to start on a vehicle I have otherwise no experience with. Plus they were cheap and costed $154.

Side note: the 4x4 shift motor in my truck seems to only work after driving around for a while. Can they be repaired or is replacement the only option? I have serviced the transfer case fluid. It looked used but okay (at least to my eyes).

I am really happy that you all encouraged me to not give up on the old girl and try an older part, thank you :)

Well that sounds like a bit of a win for sure. Now if we can just get the rest of the issues worked out. Don’t worry, I’m still working issues out of my Choptop. Fuel pump rely quit on me Saturday night. Had to get a ride home and take my F-150 and tow dolly to rescue it (at the time I didn’t know if it was the pump or not and didn’t have any diagnostic equipment with me).

So, I’m going to buck the trend and say it… Taco Bell is trash food. That said, I still eat it from time to time. But I have a portable flat top grill and my own street taco recipe that would give a Mexican restaurant a run for its money. We also have a great Mexican restaurant and a decent one locally. I’m kinda spoiled with food options. Also, my body is somewhat sensitive to highly processed foods and dairy so fast food is more of an “I’m too lazy to cook right now and I need food right now” thing. Hangry is also a thing. At one point I was maintaining 169# and eating around 4-5,000 calories a day. Anyway, carry on.

Without a doubt this is the best it has been since September so it's a major win!

Next important steps are new tires, alignment, fixing the fuel gauge, and figuring out why fuel leaks down right at the end of filling up the tank before the pump shuts off. I am sure I messed something up there when I replaced the assembly.
Or maybe I was sent junk. Would not be the first time apparently..

Also, all fast food is in my opinion trash food. HOWEVER! Taco bell is still yummy and they have some decent stuff on their value menu. Also cherry Pepsi alone is pretty much enough for me to go (not quite, but almost).
Doesn't that imply it gets returned to the restaurant?

If you stay at the restaurant long enough it kinda does
 
Side note: the 4x4 shift motor in my truck seems to only work after driving around for a while. Can they be repaired or is replacement the only option? I have serviced the transfer case fluid. It looked used but okay (at least to my eyes).
Transfer case motors can usually be repaired. I haven't had to go on that particular adventure with mine yet, but it doesn't sound too hard and the replacement ones aren't cheap.


 
There are lots of string here concerning TCase motors.. Could be really as simple as cleaning up the connections and a little lube. They like to be cycled every now and then to keep em working.
 
@TacoBelleGirl , fuel leakage when you top a tank is usually something up high. Tank leak, filler neck leak (sometimes a loose or broken clamp), tank vent leak (little like PCV type valve in a gasket on top of the tank). I need to chase a leak like that on mom’s Explorer, think I’m going to try a smoke test because I haven’t been able to find a leak visually.

KYB makes a good shock. I was buying mid to top level Gabriel shocks for all of my stuff. Last time I went to get a set for the rear of my Choptop, they didn’t offer what I was looking for anymore but they found a KYB option. Ride quality definitely improved with the KYBs and it got me thinking so I ended up buying a set of Rough Country N3 shocks for the front because they were about the same price as KYBs but beefier. For a lifted rig, I wish I would have invested in these a long time ago, massive difference in performance over a mid grade “stock” shock. I’m now thinking of upgrading all of my trucks to KYB/Bilstein/Rough Country.

I repaired a shift motor for dad’s 99 Ranger not too long ago, should be relatively similar to the older ones.

 
Transfer case motors can usually be repaired. I haven't had to go on that particular adventure with mine yet, but it doesn't sound too hard and the replacement ones aren't cheap.


There are lots of string here concerning TCase motors.. Could be really as simple as cleaning up the connections and a little lube. They like to be cycled every now and then to keep em working.

Nice ty guys. Doesn't look like a bad job at all. Should be worth the time to save the money, plus after all the headaches I am becoming less and less trusting of new parts.

@TacoBelleGirl , fuel leakage when you top a tank is usually something up high. Tank leak, filler neck leak (sometimes a loose or broken clamp), tank vent leak (little like PCV type valve in a gasket on top of the tank). I need to chase a leak like that on mom’s Explorer, think I’m going to try a smoke test because I haven’t been able to find a leak visually.

I am pretty sure I fudged something up on assembly. I didn't have the same problem before replacing the pump & assembly.
But the thing is that I actually already took the bed off and did a visual inspection which didn't reveal the issue. I was thinking next I might try attaching my shop-vac on reverse to the inlet on the tank and then spraying some soapy water around to see if any bubbles appear.
The combo of no working fuel gauge and spilling gas if I just let the pump run till it's full is such a blast, lol.

KYB makes a good shock. I was buying mid to top level Gabriel shocks for all of my stuff. Last time I went to get a set for the rear of my Choptop, they didn’t offer what I was looking for anymore but they found a KYB option. Ride quality definitely improved with the KYBs and it got me thinking so I ended up buying a set of Rough Country N3 shocks for the front because they were about the same price as KYBs but beefier. For a lifted rig, I wish I would have invested in these a long time ago, massive difference in performance over a mid grade “stock” shock. I’m now thinking of upgrading all of my trucks to KYB/Bilstein/Rough Country.

I repaired a shift motor for dad’s 99 Ranger not too long ago, should be relatively similar to the older ones.

KYB and Bilstein were the two brands I were considering. Ultimately I went for the KYBs for their value. Not installing today like I was originally planning doing though, snow started last night and has kept going. Hasn't really stuck but things sure are wet and muddy which is something I am disinterested in dealing with. Shocks can wait a little longer.
Having said that though I did still spend the minute to get under the truck and verify the starter bolts are still snug which they are thankfully.

Thanks for the video! Your dad's motor is crusty on the outside.. one nice thing about this area is although we do get snow, the don't salt the roads so cars aren't eaten away here like some other areas.
 

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