Fails to start until third try

[Jspafford]

I know this is not the correct forum, but this same thing has happened on both my rangers with two totally different motors, so I am putting it here for now.

Like stated, once in a blue moon the truck will not start. Cranks, wait, Cranks, wait, Cranks and fires on the third try. It ALWAYS starts on the third try. The truck I am working on now is a 1999 Ranger 3.0L Flex Fuel.

However, my old ranger did the same thing and it was a 2001 4.0L SOHC.

Once about every 4-6 months it will do this, and then be fine for another few months.

Two different trucks, same identical problem.. Someone help me put this to rest!

 

[alaskan155]

its a ford thing, my 06 f150 does it, and my old 2000 ranger did it, pretty sure my parent 07 150 does it 2

my guess is once in a blue moon an injector(s) is open, so fuel gets in the cyclinder flooding it. just a wild guess though

 

[Jspafford]

Ya know, now that you mention it, I am pretty sure my F-250's done it once in the two years I've had it! The only one that hasn't is the B2, if it doesn't start on the first hit, somethings wrong and I need a tow truck.

Still makes we wonder what the heck causes it. The fiancee doesn't like when I tell her it's "normal".

 

[Bent Bolt]

Hey Jspafford,

9 times out of 10 it's the fuel pump that causes that problem. The FP is suppose to hold fuel pressure when the engine shuts off so that the next start time is normal. What happens is the fuel pressure leaks down ( internaly in the fuel tank ) and take a few key cycles to build back up.

Next time it won't fire on the first crank, cycle the key on for about 3 seconds a few times. Should fire right up when you do crank it over if the pump is the problem.

 

[Donnie strickland]

I had this exact problem with my '94 4.0. Every once in a blue moon, no start. Whenever it did this, I would notice I didn't hear the fuel pump kick on with the key. If I cycled the key several times, I would finally hear it hum. Checked switch, it was ok. Changed the fuel pump, thinking it was the culprit -- no dice. Changed the fuel pump relay, and it's never done it again.

 

[4x4RangerGuy]

Hey Jspafford,

9 times out of 10 it's the fuel pump that causes that problem. The FP is suppose to hold fuel pressure when the engine shuts off so that the next start time is normal. What happens is the fuel pressure leaks down ( internaly in the fuel tank ) and take a few key cycles to build back up.

Next time it won't fire on the first crank, cycle the key on for about 3 seconds a few times. Should fire right up when you do crank it over if the pump is the problem.

+1

This happens ALL the time on the newer Audi V6s (strangely not on the 4cyl). You have to prime it 3-4 times and then it will turn over. Usually, on Audis, the fuel tank is leaking somewhere, dropping the pressure. I find where the filler necks connect to the tank to be somewhat suspect.

 

[94STXRanger]

This has happened to my 94 4.0 also. No start, no start, start. Twice in one month but thats it.

 

[86ford]

i think that the fact it starts without poping the hood makes it "one of those things". personally, i wouldent mess with it because if its a very very rare thing then its prolly not a problem.

86

 

[98ranger4x4]

both of my 98s did the exact same thing, just every once in a while.

 

[Jspafford]

I was never able to figure it out either. It was one of those things that happened and I forgot about until it happened again, and then I was startled before I realised it would start on the third try....and it always did.


I guess I will chalk it up to a Ranger Peeve. I don't think it's fuel related or it would happen all the time... I think it has something to do with the anti-"THEFT" system.

 

[Bent Bolt]

I guess I will chalk it up to a Ranger Peeve. I don't think it's fuel related or it would happen all the time... I think it has something to do with the anti-"THEFT" system.

If that were true, the theft lamp would rapidly flash.

 

[85_Ranger4x4]

Once in awhile my F-150 will do that too. Once it gets going it smokes pretty good and runs rough for a little bit, it acts just like my Ranger when it is flooded. Kind of disgusting when it happens but doesn't happen all that often, it probably hasn't done it for at least 6 months.