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Old 01-15-2011, 09:34 PM
andrewhodge andrewhodge is offline
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Default Will crank, wont start problem.

Hey guys, this is not only my first post on this site, its my first post ever on a forum.

I have reached my end point where I dont know where else to look. I hope with a little help from you guys you can stear me in the right direction.

Ok, I have 2000 Ford Ranger XLT 4x4 with a 3.0L V6 and a 5 speed manual transmission. My problem started suddenly, I drove to the hospital to visit my dad, everything was fine. I shut it off and went inside, but when I came out about an hour later, it would not fire up. It turned over normally, which ruled out battery and starter, but it just wouldnt start.

With a friends help, I had him crank it over while I pulled spark wires off, and there is spark going to the cylinders. When the key is put to the "ON" position, there is fuel pressure at the fuel rail, which ruled out the fuel pump. Once again it just would not start...

I am a somewhat experienced mechanic, and can do and will do just about any and all my own vehicle repairs. The problem is I dont know what exactly to repair. This vehicle literally has spark, and has fuel, and nothing is blocking the intake so it has air, it just will not fire. Once again, keep in mind that this is a SUDDEN problem, on the way to the hospital the truck ran smoothly, no missing, no knocking, no check engine light, nothing.

One more very important detail. I know normally you would only pop the clutch if you had maybe a dead battery or a starter problem, which neither I have, but, when I DID have a friend push me and I popped the clutch, it started and ran. No light, no missing, no knocking, and it ran like it was new. I was able to drive the vehicle home. I shut it off, and it started right back up just normal. I went inside, went back out an hour later, and then it wouldnt start again.

The next morning (today), I went out and just wanted to try it and go figure, it started right up. Sometimes it does, sometimes it doesnt. When it does start, it starts normally like nothing is wrong and runs like a champ.

Does anyone happen to have ANY details on what I could/should check? I know normally I would check either the fuel pump, or the coil pack, but, keep in mind that if it DOESNT start, you can pop the clutch and it starts and runs, so both the coil and fuel pump must be working.

Why would the vehicle NOT start with a key in the ignition, but WILL start when popping the clutch? No battery issues, no starter issues, no fuel or coil issues, nothing. Im stumped.

If there is ANY help you can offer, please help a newbie on this forum. I would appreciate it.

Thanks,
Andrew
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Old 01-15-2011, 09:55 PM
SB03Ranger SB03Ranger is offline
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Default Re: Will crank, wont start problem.

Fuel cut off? Mine kinda did the same thing. may not be the same problem. but underneath the dash on the passenger side up near the outer side thers and emergency fuel cut off button. ITs designed to cut the truck off by killing the feul if u hit something hard. mine did it when i was going down a rough road one time. found out i had to reset the button. runs fine. this may not be your isssue but could be itw worth a try if your truck has it on it?
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Old 01-15-2011, 10:38 PM
rynoaasheim rynoaasheim is offline
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Default Re: Will crank, wont start problem.

mine did about the same thing when my truck was new with about 20,000miles but it finally got to where the truck would not run at all and the dealer replaced the fuel cut off switch under warranty and it was fine after that
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Old 01-15-2011, 10:57 PM
andrewhodge andrewhodge is offline
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Default Re: Will crank, wont start problem.

I did check that as well, but, I have an issue with it. It is very easy to get to, I will admit that, and, I do understand how and why it functions, but, my question is what is the switch suppose to feel like when it is working properly? I know that sounds wierd but I can see the switch, and the button is on the top that presses downward, but, there is like no movement. I assume it is not triggered at the moment because the button will not move.

I had a ford probe once that had the same cutoff switch but it was in the trunk. Even if the switch wasnt trigered, you can press the red button on it and it was like spring loaded. In other words, there was movement in the button even though it was triggered. On my truck, it seems to be pressed all the way in and stuck there.

Is there any way to have the switch trigered to test to make sure it does flip?
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Old 01-15-2011, 11:00 PM
SB03Ranger SB03Ranger is offline
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Default Re: Will crank, wont start problem.

Im not sure. mine has only done it 4 times. it cut off after i drove off like a curb or something. but all i had to do was just press the button its like it clicked and the truck started right back up good as new. maybe your reset button is just broke? if thats what your asking im not sure if i do understand?
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Old 01-15-2011, 11:04 PM
andrewhodge andrewhodge is offline
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Default Re: Will crank, wont start problem.

Yeah. Thanks for the quick reply.

Although I wont rule that out, I have checked it and I will check it again, but, the only problem is if I pop the clutch, the truck starts up and runs fine. If the switch was triggered, it wouldnt start or run at all.
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Old 01-15-2011, 11:06 PM
SB03Ranger SB03Ranger is offline
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Default Re: Will crank, wont start problem.

I see what your saying now. yea i really dont know. mine is an auto. that does sound weird for it to do that. I don't know what else it could be?
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Old 01-15-2011, 11:11 PM
andrewhodge andrewhodge is offline
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Default Re: Will crank, wont start problem.

Here is my thought, and maybe someone can confirm or tell me why it wouldnt be this.

I dont have a wiring diagram so I cant check this, but, is it possible that when the key is turned to the "ON" position, as if I were driving or something, there is power going to the fuel pump, and the ignition or coils. And, when the key is turned to the start position, although its suppose to still have power to both the fuel and ignition, something is wrong inside the steering column or something that disconnects one or both? Because lets face it, when the key is to the ON position, I must have power to the fuel and the coil because when I pop the clutch it does start and run. It just wont start when using the key.

Any ideas?
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Old 01-16-2011, 05:59 AM
FireRanger FireRanger is offline
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Default Re: Will crank, wont start problem.

First, it is clearly not the inertial fuel cut-off since the fuel pump wouldn't be working. You have fuel even when it won't start so its not that.

I think you're on the right track with the ignition switch. Something is different in start vs on and it isn't consistent. You've done everything else I would have done leading up to that conclusion almost to the letter.
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Old 12-03-2012, 05:33 PM
brokedownranger94 brokedownranger94 is offline
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Default Re: Will crank, wont start problem.

Just wondering if you found out the problem. My ranger is doing the same as yours. Will crank over with the key bit will only start when roll starting . I need all the help I can get. Thanks
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