1994 Ford Ranger, 4.0L V6 automatic, ~67k miles
Starts right up when its been sitting for a while, but it will randomly refuse to start if I had just used it
This morning I put gas in it, got back in and it wouldn't start; starter seems fine though. Put it in neutral and rolled it forward to a parking spot, tried again and it cranked fine, no hesitation
Three times before now it would start, but ran rough and only for maybe ten seconds, and it didn't seem to respond to the gas pedal. But it did start right up if I waited about 5 min. This morning was the first time its refused to turn over at all

I went ahead and got a new fuel filter this afternoon, as its possible its never been changed (rained out, I'll put it on tomorrow)
Is that the most likely, or is there a better suspect?
(fuel pump is less than 5 months old)

6/29/2007 12:05:44 AM

well you realize the difference between turning over/cranking over, and firing up/starting right?

6/29/2007 12:17:40 AM

nope.
this is the first vehicle I've owned, never had a reason to learn more than I picked up here and there
they look more or less the same
educate me

6/29/2007 12:43:37 AM

Will it crank over with the starter and just not start, or will it not crank over at all?

6/29/2007 9:25:00 AM

Put your foot on the gas when you're starting it up...let me know if that works

6/29/2007 9:31:08 AM

^ my thoughts, probably the iac, but i cant figure out his damn problem description

6/29/2007 9:31:54 AM

yeah, I had a problem with my iac on my Ranger too.

6/29/2007 9:33:06 AM

everyone who has ever owned a ranger or exploder has at one point, i have probably changed out over 100 of them over the years

6/29/2007 9:37:28 AM

fuel pump relay, costs 5 bucks, takes 30 seconds to replace. I guarranty thats the problem.

6/29/2007 9:50:41 AM

can i get a written "guarranty" ?

6/29/2007 10:04:36 AM

yep, please send $texas to Houston's Auto repair p.o. box 69 Raleigh NC 27069, I will send you back your ritten guarranteeee.

6/29/2007 10:19:11 AM

Sorry. Probably shouldn't have attempted typing a description at midnight
will try again

gas pedal does not effect results
it happens only randomly, and started about a month ago. every time it happened has been when I leave it for only a short time, ie gas station or quickly running into a store. but, it doesn't happen every time and has always started when cold

before now it would start, but only jutter and jerk for maybe ten seconds before it died. After this happens if I leave it alone for maybe 5 min it'll start like there's nothing wrong
yesterday it wouldn't start at all after I put gas in. I decided to push her out of the way so other people could get gas and rolled it into a parking spot. got back in and it started first try

so iac and maybe fuel pump relay?

6/29/2007 7:23:52 PM

or maybe neither

6/29/2007 8:21:24 PM

hmmm, the constant cold starts rule out iac, and running for a few seconds leads me hinkit may be the fuel pump relay, it has enough pressure to run for a few seconds, when you cut the key on, can you hear the fuel pump come on when it won't start?, you definitely, have a heat soak related issue with a fuel system component, but its hard to diagnose any more than that over teh internetz

The relay is in the engine compartment fusebox near the battery, should be marked on the lid which one it is, normally I don't recommend flat out part swapping, but for $10 its worth a shot.

http://www.partsamerica.com/productdetail.aspx?MfrCode=GPS&MfrPartNumber=MR76&PartType=493&PTSet=A

[Edited on June 30, 2007 at 10:33 AM. Reason : ]

6/30/2007 10:23:12 AM

Even if the check engine light is not on, there may be a code or two stored in the computer.

On the Fords, you can check those codes yourself with nothing more than a paperclip.
Follow the hookup instructions here http://www.thorssell.net/hbook/eectest.html but leave out the test light/volt meter and just watch the check engine light blink.

6/30/2007 10:33:22 AM

^ won't come on for low fuel pressure though or intermittent lean condition

6/30/2007 10:34:20 AM

Intermittent, you're right, but if it's continually lean outside of adaptive limits, it should throw an O2 sensor code. At any rate, a code may point in the general direction, which is about all the Ford OBD-I codes are good for.

6/30/2007 1:53:54 PM

It seems it was the Fuel Pump Relay
replaced it two weeks ago, no troubles since
thanks yall

7/16/2007 12:21:59 AM