Welcome Visitor! Please take a few seconds and - Joined
- Dec 11, 2025
- Messages
- 1
- Points
- 0
- City
- Paleatine
- State - Country
- TX - USA
- Vehicle Year
- 2005
- Vehicle
- Ford Ranger
- Drive
- 2WD
- Engine
- 2.3 (4 Cylinder)
- Transmission
- Automatic
I have viewed these forums from time to time and have found them to be informative, but this is my first time to sign up and post.
My first Ranger was a 1997, back in high school. I eventually moved up to other Ford trucks and SUVs. My dad bought a 2005 new, and when he passed away in 2011, I kept it. I finally basically wore it out back in 2024. I own a Lincoln Navigator, but I prefer not to use it for stop and go type of hauling, as it's easier to have something small to run around town in. So, when that one wore out, I started searching and found another 2005 (same color as my Dad's, even) with only 31,000 miles. It had been owned since new by an elderly man who was no longer able to drive. I bought it in February 2024 and made sure all the maintenance was caught up. It now has about 48,000 miles. People such as oil change techs who see the low mileage are always asking to buy it!
I am not much of a mechanic, but if explained to me, I can generally understand what is going on, especially well enough to make sure I am going to a good place that can get repairs done. I hope someone is familiar with this issue. Occasionally, the Ranger will be hard to start. Most of the time, it starts just fine. Sometimes, it cranks for several seconds before starting. Last month, I tried several times and couldn't get it to start. I called a tow truck and of course, it started as soon as he turned the key when he arrived 30 minutes later. There seems to be no rhyme or reason as to when it is hard to start.
Beyond that, the check engine light has come on recently. I am getting 3 codes- P0455 (evaporative exhaust- large leak), P0403 (exhaust gas recirculation control circuit), and P0457 (fuel cap loose or off). I did replace the original fuel cap with a new Motorcraft one, as the original didn't seem to tighten well.
My first question is, could any of these codes be related to the random hard starting issue? Or would these likely be separate issues? Any common issues anyone has had which caused these trouble codes? Before the check engine light, I talked to two different shops about the hard starting issue. Both are reputable places that I have used for years. Of course, the truck started fine for both of them multiple times, and they couldn't figure it out. This is a great truck and I plan to have it for quite a while, so I want to get this issue resolved properly.
My first Ranger was a 1997, back in high school. I eventually moved up to other Ford trucks and SUVs. My dad bought a 2005 new, and when he passed away in 2011, I kept it. I finally basically wore it out back in 2024. I own a Lincoln Navigator, but I prefer not to use it for stop and go type of hauling, as it's easier to have something small to run around town in. So, when that one wore out, I started searching and found another 2005 (same color as my Dad's, even) with only 31,000 miles. It had been owned since new by an elderly man who was no longer able to drive. I bought it in February 2024 and made sure all the maintenance was caught up. It now has about 48,000 miles. People such as oil change techs who see the low mileage are always asking to buy it!
I am not much of a mechanic, but if explained to me, I can generally understand what is going on, especially well enough to make sure I am going to a good place that can get repairs done. I hope someone is familiar with this issue. Occasionally, the Ranger will be hard to start. Most of the time, it starts just fine. Sometimes, it cranks for several seconds before starting. Last month, I tried several times and couldn't get it to start. I called a tow truck and of course, it started as soon as he turned the key when he arrived 30 minutes later. There seems to be no rhyme or reason as to when it is hard to start.
Beyond that, the check engine light has come on recently. I am getting 3 codes- P0455 (evaporative exhaust- large leak), P0403 (exhaust gas recirculation control circuit), and P0457 (fuel cap loose or off). I did replace the original fuel cap with a new Motorcraft one, as the original didn't seem to tighten well.
My first question is, could any of these codes be related to the random hard starting issue? Or would these likely be separate issues? Any common issues anyone has had which caused these trouble codes? Before the check engine light, I talked to two different shops about the hard starting issue. Both are reputable places that I have used for years. Of course, the truck started fine for both of them multiple times, and they couldn't figure it out. This is a great truck and I plan to have it for quite a while, so I want to get this issue resolved properly.
