95 2.3 hard start after setting a few hours...

[LOGANSTANFORTH]

I have a 95 2.3 5 speed extended cab 2wd Ranger that has a starting issue...

If it sets more than a few hours it refuses to start. It will crank like hell but never actually start and run unless you crank it alot (Imagine an old diesel on a cold morning with no glow plugs or a block heater) and hold the throttle wide open and then it will just chug forever before running smoothly. You spin the engine over with the starter for a long period and it wants to start but cant. Once it starts its ok and you can turn it on and off all day long as long as it dosen't set more than a few hours. Sometimes it will not start at all and we will have to pull start it in 5th gear until it finally starts running and you have to down shift to 4th and let it pull it till it is running good and then you can drive it. And when I say pull start it I mean pull it in 5th gear, not get it up to speed and dump the clutch like normal, I mean put it in 5th gear and drag it behind my Explorer or F150 until it actually starts. It does no good to cycle the fuel pump multiple times either. It starts the same wether you do it once or ten times...

New fuel filter...
35 PSI fuel pressure at the rail when you first roll the key in the morning...
Spark is fine cause it actually starts fine after it is warm...

Could it be the fuel pressure regulator?

 

[ap3x]

Easy things to check would be MAF, IAC, vacuum leaks, etc. Those can cause cold start problems.

 

[LOGANSTANFORTH]

Easy things to check would be MAF, IAC, vacuum leaks, etc. Those can cause cold start problems.

MAF works, I thought maybe the IAC. A vacuum leak would cause problems all the time though...

 

[SpoolinX]

I know this is an old thread, but did anyone find a fix for this? I'm having similar issues with my 96 2.3 ranger. If it sits for a period of time it won't start. Can roll start it fine and after the engine is up to temp it will fire up fine. Only cel I have is for the dpfe sensor. I've replaced, CTS,Fuel filter,IACV,TPS,plugs and wires, cleaned maf. (I was having some rough idle issues)
I'm thinking it might be a coil pack, but I'm tired of throwing parts at this damn truck. Fuel pressure is 37psi at idle and 42 with key on.
Someone please help

 

[Mark_88]

What happens when you turn the key in the case where it doesn't start (after sitting for a while)?

Does it crank but not fire, fire but not start, and crank til the battery drains, or just clicks?

After changing all those parts without success, it may be that you may have a slow battery drain that is dropping it below where it can effectively crank to start.

Check the battery voltage before you crank the engine over after it's been sitting for a while. It should be minimum 12.5 volts...if not...your engine probably won't start...

If the battery checks out fine...you might look into that DPFE sensor...that is part of the EGR and will cause rough idle if not working properly...

Could also be engine temp sensor...that could affect starting also since it seems to work fine once the engine is at operating temperature...

 

[SpoolinX]

It cranks fine, just will not start. Has fuel and plenty of battery, you can crank it for days and you'll get a fuel smell. I've tried putting the battery on a charger as well. I've recently replaced the coolant temp sensor because that was my first guess at the no start issue. I know the dpfe is throwing a fault, but I'm not sure that would cause a no start issue when cold. It doesn't have to be up to normal temp to restart, just has to have fired and ran for 30 sec or so. I have a feeling it's a coil pack, but I'm not throwing money into this truck without more knowledge behind it. So please keep the ideas coming

 

[SpoolinX]

It cranks but doesn't fire. Not even the slightest hint of trying to pop or run.

 

[niko69615]

I never saw the answer..

I am having the exact same problem as the original poster, so was it the coils? No one ever came back to post what it was exactly. I've changed plugs and fuel filter, so now im between coils, battery, and fuel pump and/or relay. Anyone figure this out?

 

[Andy D]

It could be a bad check valve in the fuel pump. Test this by cycling the key off and on a few times before trying to start. If it starts easier...