Alright guys, I have been having some issues with my truck and have taken it to several different mechanics over the last year with no avail. Here is the story, let me know what you guys think!:

So about once every week and a half my truck will not start. It will turn over, but not fire up. If I try it a few times or let it sit for a few minutes, it will usually start right up. I have only had to let it sit over night 1 time. This has been happening for about a year now and nobody seems to know what the deal is.

The mechanics I have taken it to say they can only diagnose the problem if it does not start when they have it, and of course it always starts right up whenever it is in their shop! I had a mechanic family member of mine come and look at it after it would not start, and he said everything seemed to check out. Fuel pressure was fine and everything looked normal. He switched the fuel pump relay out and it fired up, so we thought maybe that relay had just been going out... but after replacing it, I am still having the same problem.

About a week ago I took the truck in for an oil change and the truck would not start afterwards. They ran a diagnostic test and it came back for three errors: Anti-theft system had been triggered, large leak emission, and a fuel pump relay code. We assumed that the fuel pump relay code was triggered from me removing it several times to see if replacing it would work. The mechanic thought that the anti-theft system could be what is making the truck not start intermittently because when you put the key in the truck, the theft light blinks (but it does that even when it starts up too).

So, I had the truck's computer re flashed because that is what the mechanic thought would do the trick... but lo and behold, the truck would not start again today! I am not engine-savvy at all so I thought I better turn this one over to the Ranger experts on the forum to see if I can get some opinions! Thank you to everyone ahead of time!

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2000 Ford Ranger XLT SuperCab / 4X4 / 4.0
Mods: Stock

It would really help if you could determine if it lacked fuel or spark when this is happening, by eliminating one or the other the troubleshooting just got easier. Also, be aware that along with the FP relay there should be an PCM relay; both are fair game for dirty, pitted contacts and poor connections giving no starts. I'd also look for good, clean, solid grounds.

Your siggy says you just got it; have you talked to the dealer about it and if so is he able to do anything for you or is he playing dumb and/or saying it must have happened after it left his lot?

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2004 Ranger FX4 Level II, 5R55E, Sonic Blue Pearl

Proudly JAP/RICE free since March 2000

Need more info on your truck.. is it a manual/automatic? does it leave oil spots on the ground..? does the battery read the proper voltage from + to frame? all kinds of things could be wrong with it that the computer wont say and as for the theft light.. mine does that too has no effect on the start up of the engine

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2002 body, 2005 2.3L, 4PLUG, 2WD, 5SPEED, SINGLE CAB, WHITE/RED/BLACK, LOTS OF WORK. New engine coming soon v8

Thanks for the quick reply guys. I will answer the easy questions first:
It is an automatic, does not leave oil spots on the ground, battery reads the correct voltage at all times, and I have had this truck for two years I just forgot to change my sig

The only thing I know was checked for certain while this was happening at the mechanics place was the fuel pressure, which was fine. So I am assuming that means it is getting fuel when it doesn't start (again, I am not very engine savvy). I am guessing these guys would have checked for spark, but I do not remember them ever telling me.

I will take a look at the PCM relay suggestion as well as looking for good grounds. Where all should I look for grounds at?

Thanks so much guys!

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2000 Ford Ranger XLT SuperCab / 4X4 / 4.0
Mods: Stock

In a state where lots and lots of salt get's dumped on the ground in the winter, I'd start under the hood. On the engine. The fenderwells. Anything under there wold be my first efforts.

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2004 Ranger FX4 Level II, 5R55E, Sonic Blue Pearl

Proudly JAP/RICE free since March 2000

I'm not sure if this will help but I had a 2000 ranger that the guy said it started quiting after it was running for about 15 minutes. The local garage told him it needed a computer so he took it to the dealer. They also said it needed a computer so when they replaced it it wouldn't program. They estimated it could cost up to $2000 to fix it and told him he should buy a new truck. He towed it home and bought a new truck somewhere else. That's when I bought it off him. I changed the computer, theft module and ignition out of a parts truck just to get it to turn over but I had no spark. After troubleshooting and some trial and error I discovered the dpfe sensor(egr) was shorting out the computer network. After changing it it ran fine.

I also had a mazda 6 that wouldn't start, ended up the grounds were not tight on the engine, the engine had been replaced 6000 miles before the problem occured.

As far as ground on a 2000 you should have one right next to the battery, one behind the abs valve by the battery, one behind the windshield washer tank, one from the windshield wiper motor to the back of the drivers side head, one to the right of the pcm, one on the frame under the passengers side door, and of course the one under the power steering pump on the engine block.

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22 and counting...

Check the voltage at the starter while cranking.

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2001 Ford Ranger with the flare sides. 4x4 with a 4.0 engine. The only thing I did so far is: F/R Brakes, rotors, drums, F/R shocks, tires, bed cap, cone filter, hanger/shackles, F/P wheel bearing, upper control arm, lower ball joint, filler neck, fuel filter and DPFE sensor, muffler, sway bar links and spark plugs!