2004 Ranger XLT / Hot Starting Problem

[flyfisher1757]

My 2004 Ford Ranger XLT 3.0L, 75K miles will NOT re-start on a hot / humid day. When cold, it starts and runs great. If I shut it down after driving around a bit, the engine will crank normally, but will NOT start, no matter what. I've been stranded a few times now.

I've changed out the spark plugs, fuel pump relay, the coolant temp sensor, the thermostat and put in fresh coolant. Checked the inertia switch, it seems ok. No blown fuses that I can see. I asked my local Autozone if they could pull some codes for me, they said they wouldn't touch it unless the Check Engine light was on (which it isn't). WTF.

When trying to start it hot, I watched the RPM guage, it seems to stay at 0 until the engine coughs, then it indicates a few hundred RPMs, so it seems like crankshaft sensor is working. I popped the gas cap off and turned the key on, didn't notice any primer pump hum / noise, but maybe too much outside racket to tell.

Ok, so I was thinking maybe the fuel pump, but once I get the truck running, it stays running fine / steady. I would think that a bad fuel pump would cause it to stop running at some point, but not sure.

Anyone have any experience with this issue...?? Any suggestions...??
It's driving me nuts. HELP!!

 

[cdedwards129]

Following your post.... this sounds like the problem I'm having


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[lil_Blue_Ford]

I went through a problem like that with my 2000 Ranger with the 4.0. I tried sensors and a tune-up with no change. Did the fuel filter and the problem stopped... for a day. Finally put a fuel pressure tester on it and found I was getting like 28 PSI. Truck ran fine, but fuel pressure should have been up around 70.

Yanked the bed back, pulled the pump and swapped it. Runs great and the hot start problem is gone. Did some research and these computers can adjust down to something like 14 psi and still run ok, but you have starting problems and power loss at that point


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[cbxer55]

When my fuel pump went bad, it was doing like yours. It would start and run great, but would start running bad after some time. When I checked the fuel pressure, it was like the guy above, in the 20's. On my 98 it should be 56 to 72 psi. So I let it sit for awhile, and sure enough the pressure was back up again. I let it run with the pressure gauge hooked up, and watched as the fuel pressure fell off the longer it ran. New pump and filter, no more problems.

On mine, when the pressure as down in the 20's, it would run okay on flat ground or downhill. But get it facing uphill, it was a real struggle to get moving.

 

[cdedwards129]

I got mine fixed this morning and it was the fuel pump


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[Rearanger]

ECT was going to be my suggestion but you changed that.

Carry a can of starter fluid and try that when no start. If it runs for few seconds then you'll know fuel issue.