car woulnt start sometimes.

[95RedRanger]

I have a 95 ford ranger 2.3 liter 5spd standard transmission. Sometimes if I run it for a long drive somewhere more then ten to 15 minutes and go to the store to buy something and come back it woulnt start. I have to let it cool down a little then it will fire right up. Any ideas on what it could be? It fires right up each time it cools down, and this problem on occurs every now and then. Got the battery checked and its good and the car cranks over pretty good but not start. Just seeing if any of you guys had this problem before?

 

[modelageek]

when you wouldn't start what do you mean. is it completely dead or does it turn over but will not start

 

[modelageek]

sorry just reread your post the truck cranks over but will not start. this can e a tough thing to diagnose. I would start with the simple stuff. 1) your gas cap is it tight, you could be getting some type of vaper lock. 2) can you here the fuel pump turn on, maybe it is a fuel pump relay.

 

[modelageek]

a few more thoughts. when it will not start do you have a spark, can you smell gas when it will not start. the times when it will not start have you tried to "pop" start it? ....

 

[95RedRanger]

I have not tried to push start it, because if I just wait 5-10 minutes it usually starts right back up, but its embarassing sitting there waiting sometimes. I tend to just leave it on if I know im not going to be that long. Someone told me it could be the fuel pump or the fuel pump relay. Any ideas where the fuel pump relay is located on these cars? Im going to start small with a $10 part before changing anything major.

 

[95RedRanger]

any pictures would be great help as well

 

[modelageek]

How about the other things I mentioned in my posts

 

[95RedRanger]

no it does not smell like gas. I can not hear the fuel pump turning on when this happens and only when this happens. Gas cap is tightly shut. How do you check for spark? Besides that like I said after about 10 - 15 minutes it will start.

 

[modelageek]

just to confirm. normally you hear the fuel pump activate when you turn the key. when you are having the no start situation you can not hear the fuel pump activate. is this correct? If that is the situation it could definitely be your fuel pump relay. In my truck it is in the power distribution box this box is on the fender well of the drivers side in the engine compartment. not sure where yours is it could be in there or maybe underneath the box. do you have an owners manual? go to the zone or rockauto and search the part so you know what it looks like

 

[95RedRanger]

correct I cant not hear it when this happens only. But all the other times I can hear the fuel pump turning on. I dont have an owners manual since I bought the car used. But I'll try looking under the distribution box to see if it has a label spot for that relay thanks for all the help.

 

[modelageek]

I looked the part up on AZ from the image it looks like it probably is in the Distribution Box. Remember to post a conclusion if it works

 

[95RedRanger]

yep nothing under the box cap is labeled. There are only two types of relays in there, but which one could it be? Anyone have a diagram or know where I can find one thanks

 

[95RedRanger]

I ended up changing all three of the relays that looked exactly like the fuel pump relay under the power distribution box. I got the borg warners from oreily's $9.99 ea lifetime warranty just incase this happens again in the future I'll just go ahead and replace all three of them again. Someone told me it could also be the electronic engine control relay as well and its next to the fuel pump relay. Well whatever relay it was they where all replaced and now my problem is fixed.