Truck won't start, not the usual problems....

[joel_sfb]

I am lost, hopefully someone here can help me out. Drove my truck to my friends house lastnight, everything was cool. Hung out for a few hours, went to leave and the truck wouldn't start. It turns over fine, fast with lots of battery power. It's getting fuel. It just won't fire. However, if you push start it it fires right up no problems and drives fine and idles perfect. I'm guessing it has something to do with the ignition but I'm not real sure what to check for or how to check for ignition problems. I checked the air mass sensor/air flow meter and that is fine. Anybody have any ideas? The only thing I can think of that might have caused it was I hit a pretty big bump and got the front suspension maxed out and then almost bottomed out on the way to my friends house, maybe I knocked something loose? It's a 92 with the 2.3L. If anyone could give me any suggestions that would be great, thanks.

 

[Will]

I would first check the starter switch. I attached the trouble shooting page from the diagnostics manual for you. It's possible that when you turn the key to start, the connection to the ignition circuit is being broken.

 

[joel_sfb]

i'll give that a try, thank you for the information.

 

[joel_sfb]

Still lost on this.. I checked the ignition switch one day and it checked out to be good. However when I started the truck it fired right up. Maybe the ignition switch is going bad and therefore works sometimes and doesn't others? Last week it was starting for 3 days in a row no problem. Then after a short 10 minute drive it wouldn't start up. Had to push it and it fired right up. Since then (2 days ago) it won't start unless it is push started. I checked for an arc from the coil packs to the plug wires while my friend turned the ignition over and I got nothing. I put the ignition in the "run" position and jumped the starter solenoid with a screwdriver. It turned over, but again would not start. We then push started it and it fired right up. I am completely baffled by this and I am about to leave the country for 3 months in 4 days so if anyone has any idea it would be greatly appreciated. I want to get this thing running before I leave so I don't have to come home to a broken truck. Thanks everyone.

 

[jdm90]

bump

 

[Ranger SVO]

I had a similar problem with my 93 many years ago. It turned out to be the EEC relay under the hood. It was hard to diagnose because it was so random.

 

[joel_sfb]

I think I've got it narrowed down to a couple of things. The most likely (it seems) is the camshaft position sensor (or the synchro but i hope not) from what I've read. The only thing is I can't find the damn thing on my truck but it apparently has it....

 

[Matt G]

I had a similar problem with my 93 many years ago. It turned out to be the EEC relay under the hood. It was hard to diagnose because it was so random.

I also had the same problem and found it to be the EEC relay as well. Very, very random---agonizing problem.

 

[Ranger44]

So I'd say check the relay. It could also be a not so well sealed ignition module. Does it happen when it's wet or humid out? Also it maybe could be the crank posistion sensor on it's way out. If it doesn't know where it is, it won't fire. All possibilities. I'd check the easiest and chapest first....the EEC relay.

 

[Ranger SVO]

It was completely random, impossible to diagnose. Try this, the next time it fails to start, do not turn the ignition off. Leave it in the run position. Gently open the hood and the relay box. Tap the relay gently with the handle of a screw driver. Did you hear it click? If so your truck will start now. Replace the relay

Again, super hard to diagnose. But it sounds just like a problem I had a few years back