My 2003 ranger xlt 4 cyl ran without any trouble at all for over 6 years. Now it periodically shuts down and will not restart for a while. It has been towed to the Ford dealer at least 5 times and they cannot find anything at all and are unable to get it to fail for them. They have even kept it for two weeks trying to locate trouble. This problem occurs after short driving periods, at all times of the year, so long drives and ambient temperature does not appear to be a factor. The dealership refuses to start replacing most likely problem items.

clarification: when i said replace most likely items i meant fuel pump relay, fuel pump, egr valve, etc.. since they claim all tests passed, they have replaced nothing.

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2003 ford ranger xlt, 4 cylinder, 2 wheel drive, automatic, air conditioned

Please answer all the questions as best as you can!

-is it under warranty?
-why would they not put parts on it if they thought they were bad?
-When it dies does it crank over?
-when it dies do you have spark?
-when it dies do you have fuel?
-when it is running does it run fine? idle OK?

-did they try anything? like relays, etc?
-one of either 2003, 04 0r 05 had a fuel pump inertia switch issue?

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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 would check the electric control module if it starts when its cool and then shuts off when it gets hot thats a good sing off a bad ECM but if it was at the stealer ship they should of found thar right away unless there just milking you

The ECU is probably the last thing to suspect. There are numerous more likely and cheaper solutions than that. ModelGeek's suggestions are where you should begin.

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(Formerly)
FireRanger
2003 Edge 4.0 4wd

How to: Aux light wiring, relays, & fuses
Info: 300+ intake threads here on FRF
Info: HID Projectors
How To: NO HEAT Troubleshooting Guide

yes, under extended warranty
they claim no bad parts found
yes it does crank over
yes it has a spark
yes it has ample fuel
when running it runs and idles o.k.
as mentioned above, they claim to have tried everything, found nothing and replaced nothing
note: the last time it happened i left the car at the dealership for over two weeks and told them to drive it all they want to see if it will repeat, and they claim it did not

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where is the ecu?
temperature does not seem to be the issue, unless we are talking internal temp of the device. this problem has occurred after only running for 3 minutes once (trip to 7-11)

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2003 ford ranger xlt, 4 cylinder, 2 wheel drive, automatic, air conditioned

so WHEN THE TRUCK WILL NOT START you have a good spark and good fuel pressure? but all it will do is Crank?

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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 think this dealer is giving you the run around......I don't know what auto knowledge you have, but you or someone is going to have to test for spark and fuel. you can check for spark with an old sparkplug and spray starter fluid into the TB to test for fuel. or buy a fuel pressure kit for 20-40 bucks. You can even using a rag and being careful press the shrader valve in and see if you have good pressure there. I would suggest you be prepared to do this at the next moment the problem happens....

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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).

spark tested ok. fuel is 47psi. it just cranks and cranks. note: fuel is being delivered.

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2003 ford ranger xlt, 4 cylinder, 2 wheel drive, automatic, air conditioned

are the injectors working. I would get a scanner and try and catch a pending code......I wonder if your crank or cam sensor is bad?

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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).

Fuel pressure should be 65psi. Not sure what the tolerance is for deviating below that but that is nearly 20 pounds low.

__________________
(Formerly)
FireRanger
2003 Edge 4.0 4wd

How to: Aux light wiring, relays, & fuses
Info: 300+ intake threads here on FRF
Info: HID Projectors
How To: NO HEAT Troubleshooting Guide

47 is a little low but you would think it would run anyways. Are the injectors working? How many cycles of the key did it take to get to 47?

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47 is a little low but you would think it would run anyways. Are the injectors working? How many cycles of the key did it take to get to 47?

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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).

Crank or cam sensor x2 and time for a new pump.

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2006 4.0 5 spd auto 4x4 Super Cab
BF Goodrich Commercial Traction T/A's
Royal Purple Throughout
Alpine Head Unit with some Infinity Noisy Stuff
NW Oregon

When I got my truck, 50k miles ago. The FP was a little low and it took 6 cylces of the key to get there. I changed the Filter and the pressure went up and it would only take 1 or 2 cycles to get there.

if your injectors are working then I would guess you have a timing issue. Try and get a scanner and catch a pending code

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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).

thanks for the input. borrowed another fuel pressure rig, turns out mine was faulty: correct pressure is now reading almost 70 psi. still no engine codes when fault occurs.
the dealer actually put 150 miles on it during test drive, in really hot weather and they claim it did not fail. i have a sneaking suspicion that the fix is very expensive (computer?) and the dealer really is jacking me around. i think i will now go to another ford dealer and see if i get the same run around. should have kept my old 94 ranger...it never failed.

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2003 ford ranger xlt, 4 cylinder, 2 wheel drive, automatic, air conditioned

you are definitly getting screwed......i doubt you are dealing with a Ford dealership.....is it just some rinky dink Dealer?.......my guess is either ecu, or crankshaft sensor...rockauto has the ECU for about $250 I think you need it flashed afterwards but I am not sure.......it is a 10 minute swap.......I wonder if you could get a junkyard one and see if that works.......

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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).