99 2.5 4cyl, tough to start, electric snapping sounds, visible spark in engine area

dracflamloc · #1 10-10-2012, 07:15 PM

Hey guys I'm new here, and as I'm sure most new accounts do, I'm posting up a problem I'm having with my somewhat recently inherited truck...

I have a 1999 2.5 4cyl ranger (automatic). It has, seemingly out of the blue, started to be quite tough to start (have to put in neutral & rapidly press and release gas pedal while turning the key).

I pulled it into my garage this evening and heard some kind of snapping sounds while the engine is running. When I popped the hood I was able to see visible sparks that coincided with the sounds near the left side of the engine. EDIT: I should note that the sparks were probably about half-way down between the top of the engine and the bottom of the truck.

I admit to not knowing much about trucks, so I'd love some advice in regard both to the tough to start issue, and the sparks I saw.

Thanks in advance!

MaDDMike740 · #2 10-10-2012, 07:45 PM

Is the CEL on? If so plug in your scan tool and that should give you an idea.

Mine has developed a starting problem in the last two days. With a cold engine if I don't keep revving it up she will stall out until it warms up for a few minutes then runs and idles perfect, maybe just a touch of a high idle but I'm pretty sure that replacing the IAC valve will cure that.

Maybe a shorted plug wire? Where exactly is the sparking originating from?

06RangerXLT · #3 10-10-2012, 08:06 PM

Missfire!

do plugs and wire to start. Its a very common issue with rangers.

dracflamloc · #4 10-10-2012, 08:12 PM

CEL is not on, and like Mike said, once I keep it running for a bit with my foot on the gas and its warmed up it stays running. I will try to take a video or photo next time I see the arcing happening so I can communicate the exact location. The plug wires look pretty old so replacing those and the plugs will be my first task I guess.

MaDDMike740 · #5 10-10-2012, 08:27 PM

Chane plugs and wires (pain in the ass) and do this:

http://www.fordrangerforum.com/engin...r-control.html

The how to is on a 4.0 but it's the same concept on a 2.5...the IAC valve is bolted on the throttle body next to firewall.

arre2006 · #6 10-11-2012, 08:34 AM

definitely sounds like an electrical short. check your grounds. i see this is a common thing with rangers here. clean the leads, terminals, and every connector you can find. dirt, mud, corrosion will all come back to bite you in the ass

dracflamloc · #7 10-11-2012, 11:16 AM

Thanks for the advice guys, looks like the wires (and maybe even the plugs) are the original ford wires, making them 167,000 miles old! I'm starting there, and replacing the fuel filter too since I know that needs to be swapped out. Hopefully tomorrow morning it'll fire up first time without arcing!

modelageek · #8 10-11-2012, 12:26 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by dracflamloc

Thanks for the advice guys, looks like the wires (and maybe even the plugs) are the original ford wires, making them 167,000 miles old! I'm starting there, and replacing the fuel filter too since I know that needs to be swapped out. Hopefully tomorrow morning it'll fire up first time without arcing!

only use autolite or motorcraft double platinum's...also you want to get the Atuolite wires....they have hooks on 3 of the wires....I got mine at either autozone or advanced <$30. I cant remember exactly where?

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Quote:

Originally Posted by dracflamloc

Hey guys I'm new here, and as I'm sure most new accounts do, I'm posting up a problem I'm having with my somewhat recently inherited truck...

I have a 1999 2.5 4cyl ranger (automatic). It has, seemingly out of the blue, started to be quite tough to start (have to put in neutral & rapidly press and release gas pedal while turning the key).

I pulled it into my garage this evening and heard some kind of snapping sounds while the engine is running. When I popped the hood I was able to see visible sparks that coincided with the sounds near the left side of the engine. EDIT: I should note that the sparks were probably about half-way down between the top of the engine and the bottom of the truck.

I admit to not knowing much about trucks, so I'd love some advice in regard both to the tough to start issue, and the sparks I saw.

Thanks in advance!

The left side of the vehicle is the drivers side. The driver-side plugs are for emissions. they are less important then the passenger side plugs compression stroke...

MaDDMike740 · #9 10-11-2012, 05:54 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by dracflamloc

CEL is not on, and like Mike said, once I keep it running for a bit with my foot on the gas and its warmed up it stays running. I will try to take a video or photo next time I see the arcing happening so I can communicate the exact location. The plug wires look pretty old so replacing those and the plugs will be my first task I guess.

Tonight after work I removed the throttle body and IAC valve and sprayed crc carb cleaner in the IAC vale and cleaned it with q-tips until they came out clean......guess what...I waited a few hours for the engine to cool down went and started it up and she purrs like a kitten again!

20 mins saved me $40!

dracflamloc · #10 10-12-2012, 02:26 PM

got new plugs and wires installed, cleaned the IAC, and she started right up from cold this morning so looking good