1995 4.0 Ranger not starting after offroading

[G.Harris]

I was offroading in the dunes about 4 years ago. I turned the truck off to watch the drags and it took a while to start when leaving. I cranked and cranked. Waited a while, then it started. Never had another problem for about 2 years.
Then I was out in the desert at night going through some whoops slowly up and down and it shut off, cranked and cranked a few times, started and drove home.
A year or so later. This year, Thanksgiving back at the dunes I was driving down the paved road, stopped on the side at camp and it would crank and not start again. I reset the inertia switch even though it wasn't tripped. I primed the fuel by turning the key on and off for 3 secs about 6 times as the manual said. Tried about 6 times and no start. I left it alone for a while and came back and it started first time. Shut it off and it started again first time.
Next day it took two times of priming to start in the am. That afternoon I tried for about 10 minutes cranking and tapping on that switch. It finally started.
I took off across the dunes fast for about 5 1/2 mile passes through the drags and other terrain and it shuts off in the middle of driving top in 3rd at 50 or so. I reset the switch and tried and tried for 10-15 mins. I waited a little while, tapped the fuse box and reset the switch. Tried a few more times turning the key on and off and it started. I never shut it off, loaded up and drove back to Arizona with no problems, even when getting gas I accidently shut it off, started back up first try.
Parked at home, shut it off and it started first time.

Any ideas? Anyone ever experienced this? I am going to try to work on it tomorrow and see what I can figure out. I don't know, but if it was the fuel pump, wouldn't it shut down and not work again. If it is the inertia switch, can I bypass it and put another switch up by the wheel that i can manually shut off if needed? Maybe a loose fuse or something in the engine bay? Filter? I have never had a problem in the city on a paved road...knock on wood.

 

[Andres629]

I had similar problems with my 88 Ranger. Turned out to be the ignition module. If it happens again, check to see if you're getting spark, and if you're not, eliminate things one by one. Sounds to be a module though.
Also has the same type of thing happen on my old 94 F-150. The fuel pump would, then wouldn't get power. There was a short in the wiring leading to it from the engine bay. But by the sounds of things, your pump is priming when not starting, so sounds like ignition.

 

[Ranger44]

Since this truck gets bashed I'd start by checking the fuel pump relay.

The ICM on a 4L is different than a 2.9's. The 2.9's was probably due to heat, like most most TFI ignitions are.

Check for spark, then move onto fuel. Like i said before, check the fuel pump, fuel pump connector, and relay.

 

[Andres629]

Well, it was actually on my 88 with a 2.0 and Duraspark, so it was sitting on the inner fenderwell. But yes I agree they are different, so you never know. Hope you end up finding the problem, good luck! Keep us updated.

 

[arctic_xchange]

I have, for the past 3 weeks, been experiencing the same problems. When the truck is dry. it starts without hesitation. When it's raining or the moisture is noticeable, it will only crank and not start. I've changed IAF, EEC and Fuel Relays, Battery, starter solenoid, fender wall solenoid. I would guess it to be a short associated with the delivery of spark. It's below freezing now and the starting issue is gone. I have checked for visible shorts while it's dark with motor running, none can be seen.

Please advise if a solution is found, Thanks