Trouble starting

[justins81213]

When I try to start my truck it will start but then shake an try to die unless I feed it gas. It does it randomly not on every start. It first started after I would fuel up but the other day I drove 2 blocks up to the post office and it did it when I came back out an tried to start it. I'm leaning towards something to do with emissions. I have no stalling or loss of power. No check engine light. Haven't done a fuel pressure test yet but I did get out and listen to the fuel pump while it was running and it sounds normal. Has anyone else experienced this problem or have any ideas on where to begin. I figured something would've triggered my check engine light by now but hasn't. Any advice would be greatly appreciated!

2006 Ford Ranger Sport
3.0 RWD

 

[adsm08]

It kinda sounds like the evap purge valve may be sticking open. That can cause all sorts of weird issues.

The easiest test is to find it, unplug the electrical connector, and the tank side line (the one not going to the engine) and start the engine, then hold your finger over the open port. You should NOT feel any sort of suction or get stuck to the valve at all. Even a little bit means it is leaking and needs to be replaced.

I'm not 100% sure where it is going to be on your truck, they moved around a bit. It is likely going to be somewhere on the driver's side, either near the firewall or brake master cylinder. It is a simple black cannister with a two wire plug and two rubber lines with quick connect fittings on them.

 

[justins81213]

Ok I'm off tomorrow so can give this a try then. I was also thinking maybe the charcoal canister to. But honestly I would figure either one of those would throw a code.

 

[adsm08]

Ok I'm off tomorrow so can give this a try then. I was also thinking maybe the charcoal canister to. But honestly I would figure either one of those would throw a code.

Usually but not always.

 

[cbxer55]

My 98, if I overfill it, it does this. Sometimes it even dies while driving. Always starts right back up again though. So yeah, I've thought it might be something to do with the EVAP system. I just avoid overfilling it and the problem never occurs. When the pump clicks off, don't add more, Just stop right there. You'll likely be fine. I put the pump on the slow fill method. Fills it up plenty without overfilling it. If I ever do anything with the EVAP at all, it will be to delete the entire sumbitch.

 

[justins81213]

My 98, if I overfill it, it does this. Sometimes it even dies while driving. Always starts right back up again though. So yeah, I've thought it might be something to do with the EVAP system. I just avoid overfilling it and the problem never occurs. When the pump clicks off, don't add more, Just stop right there. You'll likely be fine. I put the pump on the slow fill method. Fills it up plenty without overfilling it. If I ever do anything with the EVAP at all, it will be to delete the entire sumbitch.

I was over filling it at first just rounding off to the nearest half Dollar or Dollar and I quit that but it also does it if I just drive up the road two blocks an shut it off an try to start it again like I said it's not on every start it's just random. And when I drive it I never have any hesitation, stalling or loss of power, just the random start up than it's fine.

 

[justins81213]

Usually but not always.

Ok appreciate the advice!

 

[cbxer55]

I was over filling it at first just rounding off to the nearest half Dollar or Dollar and I quit that but it also does it if I just drive up the road two blocks an shut it off an try to start it again like I said it's not on every start it's just random. And when I drive it I never have any hesitation, stalling or loss of power, just the random start up than it's fine.

When I go to fill mine up, I always have a five gallon container or two to fill as well, for my motorcycles. So I use those to round up the numbers.

 

[justins81213]

It kinda sounds like the evap purge valve may be sticking open. That can cause all sorts of weird issues.

The easiest test is to find it, unplug the electrical connector, and the tank side line (the one not going to the engine) and start the engine, then hold your finger over the open port. You should NOT feel any sort of suction or get stuck to the valve at all. Even a little bit means it is leaking and needs to be replaced.

I'm not 100% sure where it is going to be on your truck, they moved around a bit. It is likely going to be somewhere on the driver's side, either near the firewall or brake master cylinder. It is a simple black cannister with a two wire plug and two rubber lines with quick connect fittings on them.

No suction on EVAP Purge

 

[justins81213]

Just an update for anyone else having the same problem. It was the EVAP Purge solenoid. The test mentioned above may not always work so don't rule it out. It never did trigger the check engine light either but it finally came up under a pending code. Thanks to all for the advice!