1997 ford ranger 4.0 ohv crank but not start after sitting for a couple days

[that209greenranger]

I have a 1997 ford ranger with the 4.0 ohv v6 engine, the problem that I'm having with it is that it cranks but doesn't start after sitting for a couple of days, it tries to start, it will sputter and backfire from the intake but nothing. and when it finally starts after hours of trying to start it it runs fine and I can shut it off and fires right up, this issue mostly happens when its cold outside. if someone can help me I would appreciate it!

 

[lil_Blue_Ford]

Moving this to the 4.0 section…

 

[alwaysFlOoReD]

Have you checked your fuel pressure?

 

[that209greenranger]

Have you checked your fuel pressure?

I checked it is at 40 psi when is not running and 30 when is running

 

[alwaysFlOoReD]

I'm not sure when the fuel pressure went from 40 psi to 65 psi, but it was around your year. Can you find specs for your engine?

 

[BrightCalypsoGreen]

Might be your ignition switch. It can break w/o any warning. I did a video on this. see

 

[that209greenranger]

I'm not sure when the fuel pressure went from 40 psi to 65 psi, but it was around your year. Can you find specs for your engine?

I looked it up and this is what I found "
At 20" vacuum (sea level idle in park/neutral), it will be roughly 30 PSI.
At 3000 in P/N, engine vacuum would normally be higher than at idle so the fuel pressure may dip below 30 PSI.
At zero vacuum (WOT under load or engine off), the pressure is usually about 39~40 PSI. This can be simulated at idle by temporarily removing and plugging the vac hose to the fuel pressure regulator." I'm getting the same number when I test it

 

[bobbywalter]

how is spark? do you do the 50/50 test when it dont start? sprays some ether when its cranking, if it runs or pops off right away then it may be a power issue to the injectors or board issue with the computer.

i do the 50/50 bypassing the starter switch and with the starter switch. the fact it has koeo psi suggests key on power works fine. and assumes you are hearing the pump prime.

if it pops off remote starting and not with the key, then likely its an ignition switch issue like mentioned above.

 

[that209greenranger]

how is spark? do you do the 50/50 test when it dont start? sprays some ether when its cranking, if it runs or pops off right away then it may be a power issue to the injectors or board issue with the computer.

I was able to make it run this morning but it took me like 10 minutes of spraying starting fluid in the intake and cranking it but it didn't poped right off it would would only sputter but when it finally started it ran and drove just fine so I assumed that spark should be fine, also excuse my ignorance but what it the 50/50 test?

 

[bobbywalter]

that is the test. its either lacking fuel or spark.

in this case did you remote start it or were you using the key?

 

[that209greenranger]

I remote started it this time but it does the same thing when I use the key

 

[bobbywalter]

so it seems spark related. if it popped right off remote starting then the ignition switch would be subject if it would start remotely and not with the key...this assumes of course the ignition key was in the run position.

any codes?

 

[that209greenranger]

so it seems spark related. if it popped right off remote starting then the ignition switch would be subject if it would start remotely and not with the key...this assumes of course the ignition key was in the run position.

any codes?

It would start either with the key or remotely, I did it remotely this time because I didn't have someone to spay starting fluid while I cranked it but have to do the same ritual of spraying starting fluid in the intake and crank it and it only backfires and sputters until it finally starts and it only does it when its cold but once is running if I shut it off and start it back up is fires right up with no issues, I checked codes and no codes I also checked the readings on the ect with my scaner and it show temperatures below the outside temperature and it climbs up when it warms up so don't think is that either, I also replaced my spark plugs after it started having this issue but nothing changed

 

[BrightCalypsoGreen]

Maybe you should watch the video I posted. I had the exact same symptoms and found the problem.

 

[that209greenranger]

"Update" I've been driving the truck for a couple of days and it finally gave me some codes:
P0171
P0174
P0172
P0175
My question is why is it giving me codes for being too lean and too rich at the same time