2.3L ('83-'97) 1995 starting issues

[hutch]

I have 95 2.3l manual ranger. I have been dealing with some starting issues over the last year. The truck starts up fine most of the time but every once in a while it will just crank over and over and not start. This seems to happen mostly if I turn the key and it starts to crank but I dont hold the key long enough for the truck to actually start. From there, it will crank over and over but no matter how long I hold the key it just wont start. If I let it sit for about 6-8 hours and come back to it, it will start right up. I was hoping for some ideas of what to start testing or where to start looking for a possible fix? Anything will help, thanks

 

[tinman_72]

Turn your key to the "on" position before cranking and listen for the fuel pump to whir for a few seconds. If it doesn't make any noise before not starting it is a problem with the fuel pump system.
I had similar issues with my '93. It turned out the contacts on the fuel pump relay were dirty. May or may not be your issue but is as good a place to start as any.