'99 Ranger wont start!

[kinda_low]

I just got back last night from a 6 hour drive from snowboarding. This was the first time I've been on a long trip with this truck so I was a bit weary, but it drove great, with no problems...until I got back in town.

We went to Hooters, went to start the truck afterwards and it initially sounded like it was going to start but then only spins. I've checked fuses and relays. I can hear the fuel pump prime when the key is hot. I checked the fuel pump inirtia switch and it is depressed, tried unplugging it and plugging back in. I can smell fuel when its turning over. Tried kicking the dash and bed out of frustration, no luck except now my right hand blinker won't go off... do'h!

Any tips on what to look for here before I have it towed to a dealership??

Truck is a 1999 Ranger 4x4 4.0 5spd. New fuel pump a couple months ago.

Thanks, gents

 

[Earl43P]

See if you have spark.

I carry a plug just for that. Lay one one some metal on the engine while you crank and look for spark. A screwdriver in a plug wire in place of a plug will spark against bare metal too if you have no plug.

 

[kinda_low]

ok i'll check that when i get off work tonight, if there is no spark should i assume coil? or something like crank sensor.

Thanks for the quick response

 

[Original_Ranger84]

You can also try flooring it when you turn it over and it may or may not fire. BUt I know when mine doesn't want to start some times like really rarely ( I don't even know what condition causes it) but it will sound like it wants to go but it doesn't and even if it does it would stutter BADLY and die... But if I floor it to WOT and let off when it starts I have no problems.

 

[kinda_low]

Ok well I have spark! I tried jumping the inertia switch but I couldnt hear the pump turn on nor would the truck start. Could it be that my new fuel pump already crapped out??

 

[litaford24]

its possible, but doubtfull. i doubt after driving it for that long that it would be a fuel or a spark issue (possible...yes)

but have you checked your timing belt? just pull the cover a little so u can see inside and possibly poke it with something to see if it has tension

my 2.3 timing belt let go on me one day and it sounds like exactly what u have.
i hope this helps

 

[kinda_low]

Maybe I'm totally wrong here but doesn't the 4.0 ohv have a timing chain, not a timing belt?

I might just get the truck towed back home tomorrow so some jackarse doesn't steal anything off it

 

[masterbrenden]

check the fuel pressure
what could it hurt

 

[ozziemo27]

Maybe I'm totally wrong here but doesn't the 4.0 ohv have a timing chain, not a timing belt?

I might just get the truck towed back home tomorrow so some jackarse doesn't steal anything off it

You're right, it has an internal timing chain, no timing belt.

 

[kinda_low]

Ok, its back home! With it in the garage I can hear the fuel pump prime but its VERY weak sounding. I'm not getting any fuel pressure at all. I sprayed some starter fluid in the TB and it started instantly then died.

I checked voltage at the inerit switch and one wire is switched 12v, one (the pink one) is nothing but I'm assuming thats the wire going to the FP. And the last one is only getting like 6.7V. Is that right?

Thanks for the replies I'm going to start taking my bed off to exchange my new FP unless someone replies to this haha.

Thanks for the replies, gents

 

[dennis461]

Try this,
Jumper the pump so it runs all the time, not just 3-4 seconds. See it it starts.

Don't leave it like that for long though.

 

[kinda_low]

SHE LIVES! Replaced the pump and instantly started back up!

Now, should I be worried about that one wire that only has 6.7v at the inertia switch? Perhaps that caused the pump to prematurely burn out?

One had 12v one 6.7v both switch with ignition. the one with lower voltage jumps to 12 when the key is switched on and then drops down to 6.7, maybe to prime?