Hello to everyone. I have a question or so. I have a 96 ranger and the darn thing died one day while I was driving it. Took it home tried to read the computer and it would not read at all. Okay so first thought was it may be the computer so I have since replaced it, and it is still not reading. When I go to start it it sounds like it is going to start it just is not firing. It wont turn over. My second and third thoughts are could it be the timing? Or may be the battery? Any other thoughts or ideas? When the computer scanner is hooked up it wont read at all. I know the scanner is good Cuz`it works fine with my other vehicles. I would really appreciate some help here. Thanks so much!Marcia

 

Well I think you need to start simpler. Its usually the right way to go. Engines need Air, Fuel, and Spark. You got air and I am willing to bet you have spark. You can can check that by pulling a spark plug and watch it while someone turns the engine over. Its a safe bet you got spark. I would bet money on a Fuel pump. When they fail the car will die while driving, and the motor will just turn over and over with no start.If its not the fuel pump its going to be in the fuel system some where.

 

You mentioned it will not turn over. You mean the starter will spin the motor and pullies/belts but it will not start? If the battery is junk it will never have spun the motor even a few times after it stopped. If the battery is dead - test it for voltage. IF you have 12Volts takeone jumper cable hook it to one battery post (preferably take the battery out of the truck for this) take the other end of the same color cable and quickly - lightlytap and pull it away on the other terminal. If you get a good spark it should be OK - clean the posts and cables and reinstall. That rules out the battery. The computer really only reads a running vehicle - so leave that one out. If it's the timing (don't think so) I'll need to know what engine you have to know if you have a timing chain or belt.

 

When I go to start it it sounds like it is going to start it just is not firing. It wont turn over.
????????? how does it sound like its going to start without turning over?????? If its not turning over your hearing clicking.

 

When it drains the battery enough it clicks because the starter doesn't have enough power. Your battery is drained likely because your alternator is not charging it due to a loose wire, dirty battery cables (take them off and clean where they connect), jumped or broken brush inside the alternator case (very likely) or a bad fuse or fusible link (if nothing else). It could be the battery if it's more than 4 or 5 years old - but they usually don't last that long and get replaced often enough. Don't try to start it until you've found or tried to repair the problem and recharged your battery (provided it's low on power).

 

P.S. - If you charge it and get it running watchyour alternator light or gauge. A guage is great to show slow power loss - a light only shows when it's almost drained completely dead. It's likely thebattery dead right nowbecause it's clicking. If it's charged and doesn't start then it could be a combination of killing the battery by trying to start it too much and another problem. Don't keep trying to start it without a battery charger if it doesn't want to start. If it's charged up only give three or four tries and stop. Then go try something else. If you remove the alternator to check it internally - disconnect the battery BEFORE you take the wires off the alternator. If you go to remove the alternator and find a loose or unplugged/unboltedwire - great :tighten it and put all together and try to start it.

 

I still am not sold on the alternator or electrical system. I think I need more info on your problem. I am still confused if it sounds like its going to start then its turning over. If its not turning over its just dead. Then that would be your electrical system. If its turning over and its just not firing its a fuel system problem. Just turning it over and over and over till the battery drains does not mean its electrical. It just means you drained your battery.

 

I've witneesed cars also die by bad alternator - WHILE DRIVING. It could be either but you can't even check the fuel pump until the battery is charged. Neither can you check the alternator until the battery is charged. But you can rule out the alternator problem by charging the battery - if it starts and runs - watch for it to lose voltage again. If the battery dies while it's running - it's NOT the fuel pump. Otherwise it might be. If you have a pressure tester and it will not start you could save some hassle by checking the fuel pressure. If you've never replaced the fuel filter I'd also check that before I'd ever touch the pump. Why waste a lot of money on something it's likely not. If you don't have around 200,000 miles or more it's likely not a fuel pump. Extra info. helps. Like: Mileage, Engine Size even transmission type.

 

By the way - if you ever change to a new fuel pump in the future - be safe and change both filters so you don't burn up the new pump slowly( let the system depressurize first (or depressurize ityourself ifyou know how) before changing filters or pump). No new fuel pump will change how dirty the filter is.

 

heymarcia it could be your pistons to i had to take my 2000 ranger into the dealership because i didnt have time to repair it it he said i was three problems mine did the same thing and still woudnt start try this hit the gas while trying to start giveint it a jolt i found out that works all found out my carberate and pistons were full of gunk tht might be another problem you may need to clean them like i said it did the same thing but i had to hit the accelerater if it works like that i can bet the dam thing is clogged with gunk in the pistons and some other places.