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Cranks but will not start?

Tiny
TREYHAWKINS
  • MEMBER
  • 1998 FORD RANGER
  • 250,000 MILES
The truck turns over like it wants to start but it won't start. I have replaced one the battery and terminals as well as the coil pack and spark plugs.
Sunday, July 28th, 2019 AT 2:24 PM

38 Replies

Tiny
SCGRANTURISMO
  • MECHANIC
  • 4,897 POSTS
Hello,

Do you have fuel pressure at the fuel rail? In the diagrams down below I have included factory directions on how to test the fuel pressure on your vehicle. If you are very careful, you can turn your vehicle's ignition key to "run", not "start", for 5 seconds and then with a finishing nail, or something similar, quickly press the little pin in the middle of the fuel pressure relief valve for a split second only. If your vehicle has fuel pressure, fuel will spray out. Be careful when doing this as gasoline is extremely dangerous and flammable. Please get back to us with what you find out and we can go from there.

Thanks,
Alex
2CarPros
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Sunday, July 28th, 2019 AT 2:44 PM
Tiny
TREYHAWKINS
  • MEMBER
  • 3 POSTS
Yes, it does have fuel pressure in the fuel rails.
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Sunday, July 28th, 2019 AT 2:56 PM
Tiny
SCGRANTURISMO
  • MECHANIC
  • 4,897 POSTS
Hello again,

Okay, that's good. This could be a problem with your vehicle's Crankshaft Position Sensor(CKP). In the diagrams down below I have included the instructions for the removal and installation of your vehicle's CKP. Please go through this guide and get back to us with what you are able to find out.

Thanks,
Alex
2CarPros
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Sunday, July 28th, 2019 AT 8:37 PM
Tiny
TREYHAWKINS
  • MEMBER
  • 3 POSTS
I just installed a new crankshaft position sensor today and it still cranking over but still will not start.
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Monday, July 29th, 2019 AT 7:41 PM
Tiny
SCGRANTURISMO
  • MECHANIC
  • 4,897 POSTS
Hello again,

Okay, did the connector look good? It wasn't broken or oil fouled or anything like that? Let's go ahead and change out the Camshaft Position Sensor (CMP) as well. In the diagrams down below I have included them description and diagram, as well as the instructions for the removal and installation of the CMP on your vehicle. Go ahead and go through these guides and get back to us with what you are able to find out.

Thanks,
Alex
2CarPros
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Monday, July 29th, 2019 AT 8:12 PM
Tiny
SAMGREW
  • MEMBER
  • 41 POSTS
  • 1997 FORD RANGER
  • 2.3L
  • 4 CYL
  • 2WD
  • MANUAL
  • 140,000 MILES
Engine will start when cold, after it runs for a few minutes turn off and will not start. Just replaced EGR valve. No codes present.
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Tuesday, March 2nd, 2021 AT 12:15 PM (Merged)
Tiny
KEN L
  • MASTER CERTIFIED MECHANIC
  • 47,513 POSTS
This sounds like a classic engine coolant temperature sensor issue or you have a vacuum leak.
Here are two guides to help us figure out which is the problem:

https://www.2carpros.com/articles/how-to-use-an-engine-vacuum-gauge

and

https://www.2carpros.com/articles/coolant-temperature-sensor-cts-replacement

If the coolant sensor is not responding it will not give a trouble code.

Installation:
To install, reverse the removal procedure.
Tighten the ECT sensor to 16-24 Nm (12-17 lb ft) .
Refill cooling system.

Below is the location for your car.

Please run this test and get back to us.

Cheers, Ken
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Tuesday, March 2nd, 2021 AT 12:15 PM (Merged)
Tiny
SAMGREW
  • MEMBER
  • 41 POSTS
Changed temp. Sensor. Will start without holding to floor but idles very high rpm and has developed a skip.
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Tuesday, March 2nd, 2021 AT 12:15 PM (Merged)
Tiny
KEN L
  • MASTER CERTIFIED MECHANIC
  • 47,513 POSTS
It sounds like you have a vacuum leak can you go over this guide to see what you find?

https://www.2carpros.com/articles/how-to-use-an-engine-vacuum-gauge

Let me know
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Tuesday, March 2nd, 2021 AT 12:15 PM (Merged)
Tiny
GMCRSG2
  • MEMBER
  • 1 POST
  • 1997 FORD RANGER
  • 2.3L
  • 4 CYL
  • 2WD
  • MANUAL
  • 164,000 MILES
I was driving to Vet last night on highway. Car just stopped running. It will crank but not start. I tried towing it in gear, ignition on to jump start nothing.I changed fuel filter, fuel pump is pumping yet weak. Spark plug wires spark yet week.I added five gallons of gas just in case. It turns over, has spark and appears to have fuel pump pumping yet will not catch. Timing chain?
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Tuesday, March 2nd, 2021 AT 12:16 PM (Merged)
Tiny
ASEMASTER6371
  • MECHANIC
  • 52,797 POSTS
Good morning,

Yes, It could be the timing belt. A compression test will confirm if the timing is off. You should have around 125.140 lbs of compression.

I attached a diagram of the belt for you to check and see if the marks are aligned.

Roy

REMOVAL
1. Remove spark plugs.
2. Align crankshaft so number one piston is at TDC (top dead center) as indicated by timing marks.
3. Remove outer timing belt cover.
4. Loosen timing belt spring pivot bolt. Do not remove.

CAUTION: If you attempt to remove timing belt or adjust tension without loosening both timing belt tensioner adjusting bolt and spring pivot bolt, you will break Camshaft Belt Tension Adjusting Tool T74P-6254-A when you attempt to relieve tension on belt.

(Part 1 Of 2)
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(Part 2 Of 2)
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5. Hold tensioner with Camshaft Belt Tension Adjusting Tool T74P-6254-A.
6. While holding tensioner, loosen adjusting bolt and gradually release spring tension.
7. Using adjusting tool, rotate tensioner, against spring pressure, as far clockwise as possible. While holding, tighten adjusting bolt to hold tensioner away from belt.
8. Remove timing belt.

(Part 1 Of 2)
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(Part 2 Of 2)
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Tuesday, March 2nd, 2021 AT 12:16 PM (Merged)
Tiny
JRW1959
  • MEMBER
  • 3 POSTS
  • 1997 FORD RANGER
  • 6 CYL
  • 2WD
  • AUTOMATIC
  • 114,000 MILES
Engine turns over fast but wont start. I replaced the fuel pump and relay but still wont start.
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Tuesday, March 2nd, 2021 AT 12:17 PM (Merged)
Tiny
JACOBANDNICKOLAS
  • MECHANIC
  • 109,700 POSTS
Are you getting spark and fuel to the engine? Will it start with starting fluid?
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Tuesday, March 2nd, 2021 AT 12:17 PM (Merged)
Tiny
JRW1959
  • MEMBER
  • 3 POSTS
Cant see any spark. How would I apply starting fluid to this fuel injected engine?
Thanks
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Tuesday, March 2nd, 2021 AT 12:17 PM (Merged)
Tiny
JACOBANDNICKOLAS
  • MECHANIC
  • 109,700 POSTS
Through the throttle body. However, if there is no spark, it still will not start.
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Tuesday, March 2nd, 2021 AT 12:17 PM (Merged)
Tiny
JRW1959
  • MEMBER
  • 3 POSTS
I sprayed the starting fluid into the throttle body as you said. It did try to start. I then went to the air filter and looked at it. It looked clean. It had a screened in deal with a sensor connected to it. When I put it all back together the truck started. It sounds like a short somewhere. What do you think?
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Tuesday, March 2nd, 2021 AT 12:17 PM (Merged)
Tiny
JACOBANDNICKOLAS
  • MECHANIC
  • 109,700 POSTS
It could be. Make sure everything is connected and not broken.

https://www.2carpros.com/articles/car-cranks-but-wont-start

Try this guide.
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Tuesday, March 2nd, 2021 AT 12:17 PM (Merged)
Tiny
JEAN920
  • MEMBER
  • 1 POST
  • 1997 FORD RANGER
  • 2.3L
  • 4 CYL
  • 2WD
  • AUTOMATIC
  • 120,000 MILES
Replaced timing belt and lined up correctly and need code replaced filters and spark plugs also. Still won't start. Tried replacing crank shaft censor. Don't know what esle to say said everything I did and tried to do.
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Tuesday, March 2nd, 2021 AT 12:17 PM (Merged)
Tiny
HMAC300
  • MECHANIC
  • 48,601 POSTS
If distrubterless system in that year range oil pump drive gear has more than one ID mark. Oil pump or aux. Shaft dives dist. Replacement for CMP. Marks can easily be aligned incorrectly. Very easy to do but it will not start. See pic
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Tuesday, March 2nd, 2021 AT 12:17 PM (Merged)
Tiny
TONYB65
  • MEMBER
  • 2 POSTS
  • 1996 FORD RANGER
  • 2.3L
  • 4 CYL
  • 2WD
  • MANUAL
  • 166,931 MILES
I replaced a broken timing belt and water pump on my truck listed above started first crank. After filling the cooling system I started the engine let it run to burp the radiator. Turned engine off then tried to start it again crank no start.
Let it sit after a couple hours engine starts run great no issues after two to three start/stop cycles back to crank no start.
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Tuesday, March 2nd, 2021 AT 5:29 PM (Merged)

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