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2004 4.0 shut off while driving and wont start.


JBird227

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2004 4.0 shut off while driving and wont start.---Updated pics of problem

2004 Ford Ranger 4.0 4x4 234,000 miles.
Truck shut off randomly on the way home from work, no noise or anything it just died while driving. Got it to the side of the road and it wont start, not even a sputter. Had it towed 2 miles home. Checked for codes, and it doesn't have any. When I turn the key over I do get my check engine light and all that. The fuel pump has been whining for a while, so I immediately figured it was that.
I checked the fuses under the hood and inside, all good. Swapped fuel pump relay.
Checked fuel pressure by depressing Schrader valve and didn't have any pressure. Replaced fuel pump, heard it prime, had some pressure but still didn't seem right.
Changed fuel filter, now when I press the Schrader valve fuel shoots out hard. Still will not start.
I read about the inertia switch on here, I checked it out and the plug was melted together, Installed a jumper wire, still wont start.
So I pulled a spark plug, it was wet with fuel, layed it on the manifold and turned it over and I have spark.
Now I don't know which direction to go.... I haven't had a single problem with this truck in 234,000 miles.
The only recent thing I have done was about a week ago I cleaned and re oiled my K&N filter. Drove fine for the week.

Any Ideas on what else I can check?
 
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enjr44

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Well, you need air, fuel and spark. If one of those is missing it ain't goina run. You have fuel since you say the plugs are wet (are they too wet?). So need to check out the rest.
 

black_demon69

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see if injectors are pulsing and not dumping fuel (do this with a noid light)

check compression

these are just some suggestions
 

RonD

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Hold gas pedal down while cranking the starter motor, this turns off fuel injectors.
Gas pedal down with key on engine off tells computer to enter "Clear Flooded engine mode", so injectors are shut off but spark is still on.
As soon as you release gas pedal injectors start again.
If engine starts to fire with gas pedal down then you have a leaking injector causing engine to flood out.

Also pull off a vacuum line from the intake and try starting, could be the IAC Valve is not opening all the way causing to rich a fuel mix for cold engine.

The symptom of dying while driving does read like fuel pump failure.
And since you have fuel pressure after replacing the fuel pump that should have solved the problem.
You can try spraying some Starting Fluid(ether) into intake and then cranking engine, ether has a lower ignition temp than gasoline so will burn even if compression is low.
But compression test would be better, both banks, as the OHC setup can slip on one bank only causing a problem, but your symptom wouldn't point to that.
 
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Hagan

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Have you checked your oil? I know it may sound crazy...but I've flooded a couple engines so bad it filled the crankcase with gas and wouldn't start. I was working on it for a week and kept flooding it.
 

JBird227

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Pulled a vacuum line, tried to crank with gas pedal down and didn't notice anything different. I did check the oil just from the dipstick, doesn't smell like fuel or look watery. I cleaned the IAC valve and did a resistance check on the coil pack, nothing bad.
I would think that if it was flooding out it would have started to run ruff or set off the check engine light? I never noticed any ruff running or sputtering.
But from what I found the noid lights are pretty cheap and wouldn't be that hard to put in to make sure, so I will go pick some of those up and see what happens. Also some starting fluid.
Thanks for the input.
 

RonD

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Well if there is gas on a spark plug the injectors are opening
 

Andy D

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My credo
to prevent Found On the Road Dead, Fix Or Repair Daily
Is this 4.0 an over head cam? 234 K miles? :dunno:
 

black_demon69

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delaware74b

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Yup - '04 4.0 is the SOHC just like wife's Explorer..........'01 to '10 use the same timing kits. The only difference is 4x2 or 4x4. The 4x4's have balance shaft, 4x2's don't.
 

enjr44

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Clean the MAF (with MAF cleaner). I don't know if it can cause a no start; but, there are more MAFs screwed up but K&N filters than any other way. They use oil to catch the stuff and oil will kill a MAF.
 

Big Jim M

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Why anyone uses one of them damn stupid filters is a mystery to me. NASCAR runs their 358 cu in engines at 9,000 rpm for 500 miles and they do NOT use em! Saying the filter that came on your vehicle was restrictive is saying your manufacturer was an idiot! Spend the money on a pair of dice to hang from your mirror and you will be better off.
Big Jim
 

JBird227

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Why anyone uses one of them damn stupid filters is a mystery to me. NASCAR runs their 358 cu in engines at 9,000 rpm for 500 miles and they do NOT use em! Saying the filter that came on your vehicle was restrictive is saying your manufacturer was an idiot! Spend the money on a pair of dice to hang from your mirror and you will be better off.
Big Jim
Because for the last 8 years I have been commuting 85 miles ONE way to work, I ride a motorcycle when its warm, and when its not its my truck. If you don't like a K&N air filter that's fine, I have been happy with mine.
 

JBird227

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see if injectors are pulsing and not dumping fuel (do this with a noid light)

check compression

these are just some suggestions
I check the injectors today with the noid light. They worked like they should.
Going to start doing the compression check tomorrow, with work it might take a couple days. I will let you know what I find
 

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