Starting Troubles

[gradypf]

Hey guys, I'm new here so forgive me if I break some sort of code but I have been having trouble with my 99 ranger starting up properly. Here's how it seems to go. On some mornings, particularly the cold ones, I go out and try to start the truck and it does one of two things. 1. It starts and dies almost immediately (almost like a lawn mower that the choke is not set on) or 2. It turns and turns but never turns over. Happened at the gas station last night and a guy came over, popped the hood, opened the fuse box, pulled a fuse, tapped it a few times, put the fuse back in, and we got some life, but it cut out again. After 3 tries, it worked. This morning, went out and it wouldn't turn over, so I did what he did. Again, after three tries, it worked. I guess if it always does this, I am okay, but it kind of sucks. What could be the problem?

 

[PanamaExpat]

Welcome to the forum. Sounds like fuel pump relay and maybe some other problems. That was what the guy pulled out. Try swapping it with one next to it. Then you can stop by the auto parts and get a new one. If that at least gets you running then we can deal with any other problems you have.

 

[Brownie Mobile]

Well idk what the fuse you speak of is but you need to check 2 things, are you getting spark and are you getting fuel. To test spark use a screw driver to arc the spark to a piece of metal if you see sparks from the screw driver you have spark. Pour some gas in the intake or starting fluid and if it fires its fuel delivery supporting panamas theory.

 

[Earl43P]

Welcome to The Ranger Station.


An easy test for fuel pressure leak-down problems is this:

Turn key to Run
wait 3 sec and listen for the fuel pump to "prime"
turn key to Off

Repeat, listening to the fuel pump again. back to Off

Repeat, THEN crank the starter.

If that works, prime it every time you start it until you replace the :

fuel filter (probably needs one anyway)

fuel pump (it has a check valve that fails and lets presssure bleeed down)

leaking fuel injector (pulling the spark plugs may show you which cylinder has that problem, its plug will look different from the rest)

 

[snake]

I agree with the above, got to find out what is missing. When it does it again, turn the key on and listen carefully for the fuel pump to prime. You can hear this better by laying under the truck by the tank, or pull the gas cap off and listen while someone else hits the key. Don't try to start, but rather go one notch before, in the normal run position- you should hear a 2 to 3 second "zzzzzzzt" noise and then it should stop. It should do this every time the key is cycled from off to on. If you hear this noise the pump is working, if not it isn't. If it isn't check the FP relay, if that is good try smacking the bottom of the tank hard with your flat hand and try it again. This will often jump start a sticking fuel pump. If this gets it to run, replace the pump.

edit- haha, earl and I posted nearly the same time with similar info...

 

[gradypf]

Thanks

Thanks guys. I will try those things and get back to you on what worked, if anything.

 

[gradypf]

Update

Okay, I did the prime thing three times yesterday and today. Just to be sure I was working with the same issue, I tried starting without doing anything with no luck, so I know whatever I did must have worked. Primed 3 times and it started right up. The way I understand this is that must mean it is not the relay, since I didn't touch the electrical stuff this time. Means it must be the filter or the pump. How do I know which one? I have money to replace both, but would like to not have to. Which is easier? What am I looking at for cost assuming I do it all myself? Any special tools? Any special hints?

 

[killj0y]

Okay, I did the prime thing three times yesterday and today. Just to be sure I was working with the same issue, I tried starting without doing anything with no luck, so I know whatever I did must have worked. Primed 3 times and it started right up. The way I understand this is that must mean it is not the relay, since I didn't touch the electrical stuff this time. Means it must be the filter or the pump. How do I know which one? I have money to replace both, but would like to not have to. Which is easier? What am I looking at for cost assuming I do it all myself? Any special tools? Any special hints?

Filter first it's super easy and they run about 10 or so. I've done it I a parking lot in 15 minutes lol.
If you do it yourself just the cost of replacement parts. just need quick disconnect tools or a screwdriver lol.

 

[snake]

Buy or rent a cheap fuel pressure tester and hook it up to the schrader valve on the fuel rail. Check ur fuel pressure to see if is up to standards, if not check the pressure regulator. If that checks out replace the pump (seeing as u have changed the filter by then of course). It could still be the relay too- if you aren't hearing the pump zzzzt up when u hit the key EVERY TIME it could still be the relay. You can just swap with another one inside the box to see, that way it won't cost anything to eliminate what might be the obvious. To answer the question, filter first, cheap, easy, and probably needs it anyway. If you discover the pump is bad, you can drop the tank or remove the bed, both are about the same amount of work but removing the bed lets you work from up top so no dirt in your face. Remove hose from bed, remove wiring connector at rear of bed, remove the T-55 torq bolts from the bed, slide bed back to access tank. Sometimes removing the rear tires helps too instead of lifting the bed over them. Then just remove the pump from the tank through the access hole at top of tank. Be careful not to let any dirt fall in when you are removing the pump from the top.