Occasional restart problems, PLEASE HELP

[Hickschnick]

I have a 93' ranger, 2.3l 5spd with 330,000 miles. occasionally i have issues with it restarting. it will crank over but not fire. it doesnt do this all the time. it used to happen only on 90+ degree days, but here lately it hasnt been that warm and its still been doing it. sometimes it only needs to sit for a few minutes and it will restart, others it takes quite a bit longer. when it does start it runs like its loaded up for a few minutes. Ive replaced the ignition module thinking maybe it was getting too hot but that didnt fix it. when i do the self diagnosis test the only code it throws is p172. it doesnt throw a code any other time and the cel isnt on. im getting fuel. any help would be greatly appreciated as i dont have the $ to just throw parts at it. Thanks in advanced.

 

[lil_Blue_Ford]

You say you're getting fuel, but have you actually tested the fuel pressure with a gauge? I was having a problem like that with my 4.0 Ranger, finally put a gauge on it and found my pump was only putting out like 15-20 lbs instead of the 65 ish lbs it was supposed to. Usually was a warm start problem, and I'm guessing with the low pressure, the fuel was vaporizing in the rail


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[Hickschnick]

No I havent actually checked the pressure with a gauge. All I've done is press the needle on the rail. Tomorrow morning when the parts store opens ill go rent one and see. and with those thoughts i also just ran fuel system cleaner through it and forgot to change the fuel filter after and since ive done that is when the problem arose. I wonder if maybe something broke free and occasionally plugs the filter

 

[lil_Blue_Ford]

Entirely possible that the filter could stand to be changed, especially if it hasn't been done in awhile. I just pulled a filter off an Explorer with 70k on the filter, sawed it open and found it was more a brownish color instead of white...

Since your Ranger is older and should use a return line, your normal fuel pressure should be lower than mine, don't remember off hand what that pressure is though. Put the gauge on, turn it to run (but don't crank), should come up to normal pressure. Start it, pressure should be about the same. Rev it up a bit and the pressure shouldn't drop any appreciable amount as you're revving it.


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[Hickschnick]

from what i seen its supposed to be 30-40lbs.