Any one?

This is a returning probem. I bought the truck in october snd it had the same problem plud it would idle rough and die. I cganged the iac and it solved the problem. the truck would start in the coldest conditions, but now it returned minus the idle problems. On tuseday it was about 40 degrees out and it fired instanly.

 

Since you said it runs good and strong, I wouldn't suspect plugs or wires. Probably a sensor, but I'm not sure. Hopefully someone will be here soon with some advice. Good luck

 

any Ideas? Im thunking it is a sensor problem because if it is warmer out it will fire right up. I wouldnt think if it were a fuel delivery problem because of that. However I just changed the fuel filter, if it was leaking could it cause the problem. Are there any experts here who can help.
thanks

 

Well, I was told to go out in the morning before starting the pick up see if there was still pressure at the rail by pressing he pressure release. When I checked it there was no pressure untile I checked it with the key on.
What could be the most likely cause? Could it be the fuel filter leaking after the man cchanged it.

 

If the fuel filter was leaking, it would be an external leak and you would see or smell it. They are probably talking about the fuel injectors leaking down.

 

Well, im still having a hard time starting the truck after it has sat overnight. Once it starts it only hesitates for a second at the most and idles pefectly. The weird thing is I can go t work for nine hours go out and it will fire right up, and its just as cold. the other day it was warmer out (34 degrees) and it fired right up. Like I mentioned before ther are no driveability problems what so ever, and the gas mileage hasnt changed. Could a sensor cause this?
I heard it could be the upper intake gasket leaking when cold, but My truck idles perfect as soon as it starts. Thanks

 

Any more ideas?

 

something in the fuel system. might have a leak some where or bad valve in the fuel pump. or what ever keeps the fuel from flowing back into the tank when the engine is shut off.

consider this. when you change a fuel filter you have to turn it over twice. once to prime the system and the other to actually start it. sounds exactly like what you discribe.

 

I would try turning the key to the on posistion, wait about 7 secs or so..Let the fuel pump to the motor and try..Let me know if that helps..

 

well, ive tried to leave the key on in the on posistion like mentioned and that didnt help. Today it was -7 out and the truck fired right up, it has trouble at anything below 30 like I mentioed before, however at negitive temps it seems to start better. this leads me to believe that it is the ect ensor after all. anyone agree? I'll see how it starts when I wake up. thanks.

 

Well, I replaced the iat and the ect sensors and that didnt help. I heard that a bad maf could cause hard starts, I have tried cleaniing it. When I UNPLUG the maf the engine hesitated for a instant and ran just like before I unplugged it. It should mak a diffeence shouldnt it? The cel isnt on. I heard the computer could be in limp mode.

 

Sounds like the MAF sensor to me. MAF sensors can be easily contaminated causing hard starting, rough idle, hesitation and stalling problems. You can try to clean the MAF sensor first (before buying a new one 'cause they can be expensive.

Before you clean it, please read the following information so you do not damage the sensor:

how to clean your MAF sensor

 

Yeah I have tried cleaning it like I mentioned sbove. Now that the wheather is in the mid 20s the truck fires instantly, even sfter sitting 2 days. If it was the pump or a leak down, loosing pressure wouldnd it affect start at this temp also? some one told me that the computer isnt reconizing the cold start and not giving the extra pulse of fuel to start, but would it require the pulse to start at 24 degess also? If the ect circuit was bad wouldnt it set a cel?
Maybe the ecu is bad, like above when I mentioned that I let it idle for a while with the maf unplugged and the cel never came on. Thanks

 

I think most engines have a hard time starting right up in the cold, especially without a block heater. You say it fires right up when it is warm, so obviously the engine is just getting cold. My Ranger does the same thing in the cold, and it has a new starter, alternator, fuel pump, and filters. I wouldn't be too worried about it, if I were you. If it is working as it is supposed to, don't fix it :hy:

 

yaeh that is true, however ive never had this problem with my 97 f-15o or my
91 buick, at tmps below 20 degrees. Maybe just a ranger thing.

 

I am having the same hard starting problems as others here. It has just started in the cold weather. I have only had this truck for about 4 months, so when i bought it, it was warn out. It was cranking as soon as i turned the key, now it turns a while before starting. I am not very mechaniclly enclined and do not understand some of the symbols (maf, cel, etc.) that you guys are talking about. Apparantly the problem is a Ranger thing that alot have.
Can you guys tell me the fix, if there is one. I think i can fix this thing if given enough detailed instructions.
Thanks in advance...

 

then follow the instructions in this thread, how much cranking time befor it starts? what is the year of the truck?

 

My truck is a 99' 4X4 with 5 speed and 4.0 liter engine, 96,000 mile.

When i turn the key to crank, it takes a few seconds of turning the starter to crank. This has just started about 2 months ago, when it turned cold. Now, even this morning at almost 60 degrees, it did the same thing. It takes this in spells when it is warm, but always when cold.

Thanks...

 

Hmmm, when was the last time you did a tune up on your trucks, or have had them tuned up at a shop? ie: new spark plugs etc. It probably wouldn't hurt to try that, Benton. Also, when was the last time you put transmission fluid in your truck? I used to have a 5 speed 4Runner that would crank for a while, especially when the clutch fluid (or tranny fluid, whatever you want to call it) was low. Make sure to check that, as well, as if it is low, it can ruin your clutch.

My truck also takes a few seconds to start up when it is cold. Keep in mind, and engine will get cold even if it is 60 degrees out. A cold engine is always harder to start then a warm engine on any make, model, and size vehicle.

Also, do you guys have a pinging under hard acceleration? Maybe this is related to the problem, as I have a ping as well. I have heard that changing fuel octanes will fix this problem, but I have yet to figure this out, as fuel is higher priced then it was about a month ago, so I haven't tested it.

 

Well, only had the truck for about 4 months and the wires look good; I have not had time to pull the plugs. today it was 25 degrees and the truck fired instantly and ran excellent like any other day above 25, however while I was first driving it this morning about 3 miles in to the drive the engine started to stummble like it was running out of gas for a few hundred feet and then ran normal. That was the first time that happend, while it was stumbling the engin rpm and the vehicle speed didnt change.

 

is it getting fuel? did you change fuel filter yet?

 

Yeah, I changed the filter first off. Im finally going to cave and take the truck to a mechanic on friday. I'll let everyome know what turns up.

 

Well. I finally Took the truck in to a mechanic to see what the problem was and what he discvered was that the person who tunned it up before I purchased it in occtober put plugs that were to cold for the engine. He says that is a common mistakes with ford vehicles done by some mechanics, hes seen it a few times. I hope this will help those of you who cant pin point the problem.

Thanks to all of you.

mike

 

Mike,
Did the new plugs cure the problem? Can you tell us the brand and number of the new plugs you put in?
Thanks...

 

Yes, it seems to start better. Its amazing how much more power it has, it had a lot of power before but now its alot faster and responsive. I put autolite double platinums, it had bousch double platinums that were to cold for the engine.