Hello,new member here! I have an 2003 Ranger that sometimes starts and sometimes doesn't yesterday it didn't start and I noticed that the steering wheel where the airbag is was really hot. left it alone for about an hour and then it started up any help would be fine. To let you know it has a brand new battery and a new coil last year.

 

Hi, welcome to the Forum

Doesn't start means..............??

When you turn the key all the way does the starter motor come on and engine cranks but doesn't fire up?

If so try spraying some Starting Fluid into the intake, and then try to start again.
If it doesn't fire then it has no Spark
If it does fire up and then die then it has no Fuel.
50/50 test

If it doesn't crank, no starter motor, then could be anti-theft system or failing Clutch switch or transmission Park/Neutral switch, the later can just be column shifter is out of adjustment, a common issue with all Ford Trucks, try starting with shifter in Neutral instead of Park


I can't see warm steering wheel center causing a starting issue unless battery was dead because of a short, but it should be looked at because that shouldn't happen

 

Don't be so sure. My Ranger stays running if I turn the light switch one notch too far and the motor will not shut off. No accessaries, though.

 

Hi ron,the engine cranks over every time, can here the fuel pump for a second,just doesn't fire up every time.sometime it starts right up other times I have to crank over a couple times before starting. Seems like when it sits there for a while it starts right up but after driving and then restarting that's when it gives me a hard time just replace the fuel filter today and the coIL pack last year and the battery a couple weeks ago! Arrghg!!! Frustrating because this is my work truck!

 

I'm thinking it's the ignition or the fuel pump? And by the way it's a Standard shift.

 

Ignition or fuel are the only two things it can be, if it was compression it wouldn't start again, so .........
Spark
Fuel
Compression
These 3 are what allows an engine to work/start

Get some Starting Fluid(ether in a spray can)
Next time there is a no start, take off Power Brake Booster's vacuum hose and spray some ether into the hose(intake) then put hose back on Booster, or PCV hose, which ever is easier.
Then try to start, if it fires then spark is working, if it doesn't then spark is off.