Won't start

[jimsea]

Have an 03 ranger 4.o every once an awhile after driving 10 or 20 miles an I stop and
shut the engine down for 10 or 15 min. and try to start it up, it will run for about
3 seconds and stop, like the fuel pump didn't start, and it run on what was in the
Fuel rail, after sitting an hour it starts and runs perfict the fuel pump checks out
Ok and they can't find anything wrong because it is running perfict.this happens
Around once a month. Is there something in the circuit to the fuel pump like a relay
or a sensor that would cause this or could the fuel pump quit and then be ok after
an hour?

 

[RonD]

What did "they" check?

'03 Ranger should run with 55-65psi fuel pressure and that pressure should hold above 45psi after key is off, and it should hold for a few MONTHS, not minutes hours or days.
That should be what "they" checked.

You can hear the fuel pump run from inside the cab, turn down the radio
Each time you turn the key on you can hear the fuel pump run for 2 seconds, and only 2 seconds, its a safety thing
But if you turn key off and back on it will run for another 2 seconds, so repeat key on and off as much as needed to make sure you are hearing the HUM of the fuel pump.
Then at next No Start, listen for it.

Yes, there is a fuel pump(FP) relay in the engine fuse box, unlikely failure but just a standard automotive relay so $5-$8

Has MPG dropped since this has been happening?

Theft Light doesn't rapidly flash with key on at these times?

And there is no CEL(check engine light) that has come on since this started to happen?
And CEL does work, right, comes on with key on then goes off after engine starts?

If there is no CEL coming on then it can't be a sensor or FP relay issue, these are monitored

 

[jimsea]

Thank you all good information yes the cel is working I am having a hard time hearing the pump as
The fan also comes on with the key. But it sounds like you think it is the pump and I think I will bite
The bullet and have a new one installed and see if that fixes the problem. I have to
Wait till February to do it, but will let you know thanks again