1995 Ranger won't start, this is what has been done,

[SoCalGal]

I was driving to the store the other night and my truck died. First thing I thought was, out of gas. But it didn't die like it had run out of gas, no sputtering.
Turn the key, it cranks,
Along side the road, they checked for spark, checked the fuel rail, said it was getting both. Pulled it home.
Next day, checked with some meter for codes, only code was loose gas cap. Further diagnosis, determined it was one of the coil packs. Replaced them both.
Same thing. Sprayed starting fluid while I cranked the motor and held the gas pedal down, still wont start.

It is a 4 cy motor. Any suggestions would be great. (oh, also checked fuses and relays)

Could this be something in the actual ignition? Or the wiring between the ignition where I turn the key and the coils?

Thank you much

 

[Chris_1]

Fuel, spark & timing are required. If you're SURE you have fuel and spark, you have to look at timing. Crank sensor plugged in ? (assuming you have one) Could it have gotten wet ? Has the timing belt (or chain) jumped ? Also, having fuel at the schrader valve doesn't mean you have enough pressure to run the motor - always a good idea to check the pressure with a gauge. If you pull a plug after cranking, it should smell like gas if your injectors are working. Some things to check without throwing parts at it anyway

 

[martin]

Sounds like a broken timing belt. Check that the cam is turning when you crank the motor.

 

[RonD]

Yes, timing belt is broken.

Spark is timed by the crank which spins when you crank engine, so spark OK
Fuel pump is electric so if battery is good fuel is OK.
Yet no start.......no compression, timing belt is not turn Cam.

 

[SoCalGal]

That is exactly what it was! The timing belt. So, now the timing belt has been replaced and I had to wait an extra day because the water pump was leaking and mechanic suggested it be replaced while the front motor stuff was already off.

I just heard him cranking it over, its doing the same thing. OMG. I had two guys look at it, the one who discovered it was the timing belt, said he thought there was not enough fuel pressure??

The guy who actually did the labor, said something about a modulator or something like that, something near the coil packs? But then we ruled out modulator when timing belt was discovered broken.

Thanks for your responses.

I am going to wander out there and see what I can see..

 

[modelageek]

That is exactly what it was! The timing belt. So, now the timing belt has been replaced and I had to wait an extra day because the water pump was leaking and mechanic suggested it be replaced while the front motor stuff was already off.

I just heard him cranking it over, its doing the same thing. OMG. I had two guys look at it, the one who discovered it was the timing belt, said he thought there was not enough fuel pressure??

The guy who actually did the labor, said something about a modulator or something like that, something near the coil packs? But then we ruled out modulator when timing belt was discovered broken.

Thanks for your responses.

I am going to wander out there and see what I can see..

Is he a real mechanic? I bet the belt is not on right? Take a look at the crank sensor too. If the truck ran fine before the TB broke then the fuel pump is fine?

Sent from my DROID BIONIC using Tapatalk

 

[SoCalGal]

Well he is a friend of mine, but worked for Chevy for years fixing automatic transmissions, I have seen him rebuild and troubleshoot and fix several vehicles over the years.

He came in yesterday and said he forgot to plug in the crank position sensor? He said he had to take something back off the truck to plug that in.

Thing is, I need to get my truck running. He said in a joking way that he likes having me stranded here. But he is lolly butting around and is now working on the pistons and rings for his truck.

This can not be that difficult to do. Can somebody tell me where I could find the plug, I can maybe take off what ever needs to come off or maybe my small hand can plug it in.?

I have a good general knowledge of the components on vehicles, I have changed the starter on this truck and I use to adjust the valves on my Toyota.

Please advise if this is something I can find and plug in myself, I went out there and looked, but didn't see any plug just hanging.. Where is it?

Thanks.

 

[burn0ut]

the cps shoud be right at the very front of the engine on the top left side of the crankshaft might possibly have to take the fan shroud out but i doubt it, should be able to get to it from either the top or bottom, its a smaller plug with only 2 wires oging into it

 

[SoCalGal]

the cps shoud be right at the very front of the engine on the top left side of the crankshaft might possibly have to take the fan shroud out but i doubt it, should be able to get to it from either the top or bottom, its a smaller plug with only 2 wires oging into it

Thank you. I didn't see it, but he saw me out by the truck and came out to work on it.

Ehh, still not running, but it sounded like it wanted to start. Now he is putting the original coil packs back on. Geeze.

 

[RonD]

Google: ranger 2.3 crank position sensor images

You will see what he was doing and where he was doing it


You might mention to him that only the Exhaust spark plugs fire when starting the engine.
This has confused even some Ford mechanics, because they check intake side plugs for spark and don't get anything.................. so start replacing things.

Both coils and both sets of spark plugs are used after engine starts up, but only the exhaust side coil and plugs are active when starter motor is being used.

Also on Fords when key is first turned ON you should hear the fuel pump come on for 2 seconds, it doesn't come on again until engine starts.
So first listen for fuel pump, if you hear it turn key off then on again, count to 3 then turn key off and on, now try to start.
What you are doing is Priming the fuel system 3 times to get back any lost pressure.