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  #1  
Old 10-04-2019, 02:05 PM
scattermaster scattermaster is offline
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Posts: 9
Default '98 Ranger won't start HELP?

My Ranger passed state inspection the last time I drove it. About a week ago.
Today it won't start.
Battery is good. It'll spin the engine just fine, and I've been charging it to keep from running it down since I'm cranking it a lot.
Fuel Pressure??
I don't have a fuel pressure checker BUT, after hitting the starter and shutting it all back down, I can open the schraeder valve on the fuel injection and fuel sprays out with significant force.
I think that should be enough pressure.
Spark??
I took a spark plug wire off of the coil pack and put a screwdriver in the hole. Then I used voltage checker, hooked to ground, and put the probe near the screwdriver and I have spark arcing across the gap. (about a half inch)
Air??
Well I know I have air, but since the filter is pretty dirty, I simply took it off.
It seems like I have everything it takes to run, but it doesn't.
??
Wouldn't a rollover sensor stop the fuel pump?
Seems like it wouldn't be that either.
I'm stumped.
Jim
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  #2  
Old 10-08-2019, 06:57 PM
ranger*danger ranger*danger is offline
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Default Re: '98 Ranger won't start HELP?

Check your alternator


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  #3  
Old 10-14-2019, 05:00 AM
scattermaster scattermaster is offline
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Default Re: '98 Ranger won't start HELP?

anyone else have any suggestions?
Ranger*danger:
The truck was running fine. Battery was up, which suggests the alternator was good.
BUT just for discussion,
Let's say the alternator failed AFTER I parked the truck, all by itself, won't the truck still run as long as my battery is up?
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  #4  
Old 10-14-2019, 11:39 AM
tomboy tomboy is offline
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Default Re: '98 Ranger won't start HELP?

Have you tried giving it a small taste of starting fluid?
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  #5  
Old 10-17-2019, 07:08 PM
turismolover22 turismolover22 is offline
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Posts: 95
Default Re: '98 Ranger won't start HELP?

Quote:
Originally Posted by scattermaster View Post
My Ranger passed state inspection the last time I drove it. About a week ago.
Today it won't start.
Battery is good. It'll spin the engine just fine, and I've been charging it to keep from running it down since I'm cranking it a lot.
Fuel Pressure??
I don't have a fuel pressure checker BUT, after hitting the starter and shutting it all back down, I can open the schraeder valve on the fuel injection and fuel sprays out with significant force.
I think that should be enough pressure.
Spark??
I took a spark plug wire off of the coil pack and put a screwdriver in the hole. Then I used voltage checker, hooked to ground, and put the probe near the screwdriver and I have spark arcing across the gap. (about a half inch)
Air??
Well I know I have air, but since the filter is pretty dirty, I simply took it off.
It seems like I have everything it takes to run, but it doesn't.
??
Wouldn't a rollover sensor stop the fuel pump?
Seems like it wouldn't be that either.
I'm stumped.
Jim
You said you have fuel pressure, but do you have injector fire? What do the plugs look like? If they are black and wet, then they are probably fuel soaked, and won't start the truck regardless. You will need to rinse the plugs in gas, and then let them dry completly before attemting to start again. If they are relatively "dry", then I would assume your injectors are not firing.

There is a "flood clear" mode on most all modern fords, if you hold the throttle to the floor, it sends the PCM into an "anit-flood" mode, and cuts all injector pulse until the truck starts, or you try to start the truck again without the pedal down. If the TPS has failed, it could be sending a false throttle position. If your plugs are wet, after drying them you can attempt to start the truck in "flood clear" mode by holding the throttle to the floor, then crank. Once it starts obviously let off the gas and modulate around 2-2500 rpms until you can bring it back down to idle.

This can be engine dependent, but your AIC (air idle control) valve is Pulse Width Modulated, and normally closed. If it fails, it is set to snap shut, which would cause the idle to drop below a running speed (usually 600 RPMS or less) and the truck would never start at this low of an RPM. Check that you have some sort of voltage to the AIC with the key on, and inspect for continuity as well.

There are a few peices of the puzzle you have yet to check. It could be as simple as a broken ground strap.
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  #6  
Old 10-17-2019, 07:51 PM
sgtsandman sgtsandman is offline
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Default Re: '98 Ranger won't start HELP?

We ran across something like this at work once. There is a reset button in the passenger foot well that we had to push to reset. I think it was behind the kick panel. It might be something to look at. Being that it's only driven on base, I have no idea what would have tripped it but it fixed the problem and never came back.
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