why hasn't anyone said to check to choke ??? sure sounds like the place to start ..... i'll bet you will find/fix your starting problem with a simple adj.

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2009 RANGER XL 4CYL. 5 SPEED

it is fuel injection. it does not have a choke. it does not have an adjustment?

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2004 Ext Cab, 4WD, 4.0, Auto, 154k. (4.0 engine is out of a 2009 Ranger w/96k) ( as of 7/1/2017)

2004 Ranger, Ext Cab, 2WD, 3.0, 5 speed , 4WABS, crank windows, no cruise, Edge 116k.(6/5,2014) (SOLD).
1999 Ford Ranger, Reg Cab, 2.5, 5 speed, 2WD, no AC, 150k (SOLD).

I am pretty sure it's an electrical problem because it doesn't start with starter fluid

I dont want to reread the entire post.........have you ruled out the coilpacks and the ICM=ignition control module?

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2004 Ext Cab, 4WD, 4.0, Auto, 154k. (4.0 engine is out of a 2009 Ranger w/96k) ( as of 7/1/2017)

2004 Ranger, Ext Cab, 2WD, 3.0, 5 speed , 4WABS, crank windows, no cruise, Edge 116k.(6/5,2014) (SOLD).
1999 Ford Ranger, Reg Cab, 2.5, 5 speed, 2WD, no AC, 150k (SOLD).

I checked the coils. Passed the resistance test and have power to them. Haven't checked the icm, but I'll probably check that next. I got the crank sensor changed and put a new timing belt on. The tach still doesnt work so I'm thinking icm. The weather has been too warm for me to see any problems lately.

I'm having a similar problem with mine.. Did you end up fixing it or is it still giving you problems?

No luck. The icm bolts Are rusted so bad I won't be able to get the icm off without ruining it so I can't even test it. I'm at a stand still because I am a poor college student, so I guess I'll wait for nicer weather

It wouldn't start last weekend but I did learn a little about my problem. I have determined that the coil pack to the rear is working while the front coil pack isnt giving spark. That explains why the truck shakes. When indisconnect the back coil pack the shaking stops. I believe the front coil pack fires for the ignition and the rear coil pack fires during the exhaust stroke, so that is why I am getting partial combustion. I am pretty sure the coil pack itself is good because the resistance was within spec, and I know it's getting 12 volts. So for some reason that coil isn't getting the signal it needs to fire. When I was messing around unplugging the coils and reconnecting them I plugged both back in and the truck ran. So I think I either have a bad ground on the coil pack, bad wire, or a bad connection. The weather was about 20 degrees so it could have just been dumb luck too. Does anyone know if the coil grounds on its mount or through the wires?