My engine cranks over but will not run?

Tiny
FCANDELARIA
  • MEMBER
  • 2003 FORD RANGER
  • 4.0L
  • V6
  • 4WD
  • AUTOMATIC
  • 166,000 MILES
Driving truck about 35 mph and suddenly it stops running. Will crank no start. After hours if I try starting, it will start but fails after less than a second and will continue to no start condition. I've check fuel pressure and after turning and turning off key to the on position, it will pressure to 60 psi, and will spit out gas after disconnect of gauge so I know it is getting fuel. I've sprayed starting fluid and there is no change when cranking. I've checked first plug when cranking and its getting a good spark. I've checked fuses in the engine compartment as well as in the dash and they are not burnt. I changed the crankcase position sensor only because I had one lying around. I was thinking of checking injectors but didn't want to take out intake manifold unless it is necessary. Any advise is much appreciated. Thank you in advance.

Note: It has no aftermarket security system and the factory system alarm seems to be working okay with no dash lights flashing. I also disconnected the truck battery to reset the computer.
Thursday, May 23rd, 2019 AT 12:17 PM

25 Replies

Tiny
JACOBANDNICKOLAS
  • MECHANIC
  • 109,885 POSTS
Welcome to 2CarPros.

If you have spark and fuel, the timing is correct, and you have compression, it should run. With starting fluid, does it even try to start? The interesting thing is if it doesn't, then either you have no spark or a very weak one or there is very low engine compression. Since this happened all at once, compression shouldn't be an issue. The truck has a timing chain and usually they don't jump. However, anything is possible.

Take a look through this link. It discusses crank/no start conditions. Also, link 2 discusses how to check for an injector pulse.

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

https://www.2carpros.com/articles/how-to-test-a-fuel-injector

Also, let me know if the spark to the plugs was a hot blue snapping spark or if it was orange or white in color.

Take care,
Joe
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Friday, August 14th, 2020 AT 10:15 AM
Tiny
STORMBRINGER1
  • MEMBER
  • 2 POSTS
  • 2003 FORD RANGER
  • 4.0L
  • 6 CYL
  • 2WD
  • AUTOMATIC
  • 160,000 MILES
Truck runs good for a few weeks then you shut it off and it cranks over and won't start leave it for one to two hours it starts.
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Tuesday, March 2nd, 2021 AT 11:28 AM (Merged)
Tiny
PATENTED_REPAIR_PRO
  • MECHANIC
  • 1,853 POSTS
Try a new fuel pump relay.
It is located in the battery junction box, under the hood.
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Tuesday, March 2nd, 2021 AT 11:28 AM (Merged)
Tiny
KEN L
  • MASTER CERTIFIED MECHANIC
  • 48,363 POSTS
Hello,

Can I ask if when the engine stalls can you hear the fuel pump running in the tank? This guide can help us get started:

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

Please run down this guide and report back.

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Tuesday, March 2nd, 2021 AT 11:28 AM (Merged)
Tiny
JPIPKIN2
  • MEMBER
  • 1 POST
  • 2003 FORD RANGER
  • 6 CYL
  • 2WD
  • AUTOMATIC
  • 99,000 MILES
Im not sure if anyone has experienced these problems but for some reason or another my truck will not start when it is above 65 degrees outside. It wants to fire over but it just wont. I drove it all winter and had no problems at all. We had our first warm day about a week ago and it hasnt started since. Any advice?
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Tuesday, March 2nd, 2021 AT 11:28 AM (Merged)
Tiny
FLEXY5
  • MECHANIC
  • 512 POSTS
Check two things for me and get back to me with the results. First try to start the engine with your foot on the throttle. We're looking to see if you have to hold the accelerator down in order to start it and keep it running. The second thing to check needs to be checked with a scanner. Check for codes, but also check the coolant temp sender and the intake air temp sender (ECT and AIT, respectively). I would like to know what the readings are for these two.
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Tuesday, March 2nd, 2021 AT 11:28 AM (Merged)
Tiny
TOLPAN58
  • MEMBER
  • 7 POSTS
  • 2003 FORD RANGER
  • 6 CYL
  • 2WD
  • AUTOMATIC
  • 45,000 MILES
Wont start in hot weather. Starts fine in the morning but by afternoon 95 + temp wont start. Cranks fine. I cant hear the fuel pump on a no start situation. Can a fuel pump perform in the lower temps and not perform in higher temps? I did swap the relay with the AC relay still no start.
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Tuesday, March 2nd, 2021 AT 11:28 AM (Merged)
Tiny
DOCFIXIT
  • MECHANIC
  • 18,828 POSTS
Yes temp can effect pump operation. Does MIL light come on? Cam or crank sensor also effected by temp
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Tuesday, March 2nd, 2021 AT 11:28 AM (Merged)
Tiny
TOLPAN58
  • MEMBER
  • 7 POSTS
Mil light CELight comes on as always during start sequence then goes away on a normal start (cooler temps). The truck does continue to run well in hot weather if it was started ealrier in the day(cooler)
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Tuesday, March 2nd, 2021 AT 11:29 AM (Merged)
Tiny
DOCFIXIT
  • MECHANIC
  • 18,828 POSTS
It sounds like the engine coolant temperature senor could be shorting out which will cause the issue. Lets run the codes to see what comes up here is a guide

https://www.2carpros.com/articles/checking-a-service-engine-soon-or-check-engine-light-on-or-flashing

Please run down this guide and report back.
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Tuesday, March 2nd, 2021 AT 11:29 AM (Merged)
Tiny
TOLPAN58
  • MEMBER
  • 7 POSTS
Had codes ran a week ago indicating MAF sensor however I had attempted a start with the MAF unplugged while trouble shooting and that might have thrown the code.
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Tuesday, March 2nd, 2021 AT 11:29 AM (Merged)
Tiny
DOCFIXIT
  • MECHANIC
  • 18,828 POSTS
Next time it won't start check for spark if good spray carb cleaner into intake crank does it fire
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Tuesday, March 2nd, 2021 AT 11:29 AM (Merged)
Tiny
TOLPAN58
  • MEMBER
  • 7 POSTS
It sure will and then dies shortly after.
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Tuesday, March 2nd, 2021 AT 11:29 AM (Merged)
Tiny
DOCFIXIT
  • MECHANIC
  • 18,828 POSTS
Then fuel pump is at fault
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Tuesday, March 2nd, 2021 AT 11:29 AM (Merged)
Tiny
TOLPAN58
  • MEMBER
  • 7 POSTS
Thanks Doc. I'll change it Satu8rday and repost
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Tuesday, March 2nd, 2021 AT 11:29 AM (Merged)
Tiny
DOCFIXIT
  • MECHANIC
  • 18,828 POSTS
Great SAT project when tank is down test for power to pump is good then proceed with repair
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Tuesday, March 2nd, 2021 AT 11:29 AM (Merged)
Tiny
TOLPAN58
  • MEMBER
  • 7 POSTS
We'll do I'll let you know.
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Tuesday, March 2nd, 2021 AT 11:29 AM (Merged)
Tiny
FCANDELARIA
  • MEMBER
  • 14 POSTS
  • 2003 FORD RANGER
  • 4.0L
  • 6 CYL
  • 4WD
  • AUTOMATIC
  • 150,000 MILES
Possibly ran out of fuel. Idling in line at gas station, and engine stops, could not restart. Pushed truck to gas pump and filled up. Still no start. Replaced fuel pump, fuel filter one year ago. About 12,000 miles. Engine turns and seems as though it will start but fails in the first few turns. After that it will just turn with no change in ignition. After sitting hours, I will try again and it seems to want to ignite on the first few turns and fails again.
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Tuesday, March 2nd, 2021 AT 11:29 AM (Merged)
Tiny
TOLPAN58
  • MEMBER
  • 7 POSTS
Doc, Everything is working fine new pump did the trick. Thanks
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Tuesday, March 2nd, 2021 AT 11:29 AM (Merged)
Tiny
KEN L
  • MASTER CERTIFIED MECHANIC
  • 48,363 POSTS
Hello,

When the key is in the on position without cranking the engine over can you hear the pump in the tank running? Here is a guide to help us get started:

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

Please run down this guide and report back.

Cheers, Ken
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Tuesday, March 2nd, 2021 AT 11:29 AM (Merged)

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