My ranger has developed a problem. It starts when it wants to. It's a 2wd, 4cyl, 2.3. It started doing this about 2 months ago. It will start and run great for 3-4 days and then bam, no start. It cranks normally. It usually does this when I go to a store and have been in the store 20-30 minutes. Sometimes though it starts right up fine. Once it's started it purrs like a kitten. I get stranded any where from 10 minutes to hours and hours.
Has very good battery, had oil change couple days ago, new fuel filter, fuel injectors cleaned, new EGR valve, idle air control valve cleaned and working fine, starter and alt is fine, new hoses replaced around emissions canister, and new spark plugs and wires a week ago. I've had it diagnosed and they can't find as problem, except that I need a new evap canistor. They said that shouldn't cause a starting problem. Of course it starts fine at the shop. New fuel pump 2 years ago. Sunday it would not start all day then it started at 6 that night just as easy as can be. Timing belt looks fine. So when I go to a store or whatever I have to leave it running and shop fast. I've had mechanics say I'm not getting spark, then another day say I'm getting spark just fine. The same with fuel. They say I'm not getting fuel, and then the next day say I'm getting fuel just fine. Now today I'm smelling gas fumes. It's driving me bonkers. I'm not a mechanic. Help! Michelle

 

I really need help here folks. Michelle

 

You can try buying/borrowing an inline spark checker,and a fuel pressure gauge and drive until the problem happens again, when it does hook them up and you will know if it is fuel or spark related. that will point you and your mechanic in the right direction.

 

common problem is corrosion in the wiring plug for the fuel pump relay or ignition relay

 

Does your ranger have a crank cesnor if it does. You should check your crank cesnor and maybe try a new one.

 

I would have to aggree with floyd on the fuel pump relay on the no start,As for the gas smell look be the fuel filter.It is possible somone did not put the retainer clip's in right.

 

If its not the crank cesnor then I would say the fuel pump relay if not the relay then its the fuel pump

 

Was this problem ever resolved & if so, does anyone know what the problem was? I am experiencing the exact same problem with my '95 Ranger (which only has 92,000 on it).

 

I'm having the same issue crank no start I've traced wires from fuel pump to fuel cut off (inertia switch) from fuse distribution box with relays Im betting my money on it being bad or faulty inertia switch buying one today will let you know the outcome

 

If your theory doesn't solve the problem get back to us here.

Shops checking for fuel and spark when the engine starts tells us, yes it has fuel and spark. The time to check for fuel and spark is when it will not start !

The best way to begin checking this vehicle when it will not start ,is to remove a spark plug and look at the tip.
If it is wet with gasoline fuel is getting to the cyls. SO,,,,,not a fuel problem. Most likely a spark(ign system) problem.
Then that is when you verify spark is present or it isn't. That is not always easy for one person to verify.
Depending on what type ign system the vehicle has will determine the best way to crank the engine over so you can see the spark. COP (Coil on plug) systems could be a little more difficult. A spark testing tool can make this test a lot more easier. If no spark, then we conduct some ign system checks.