So my 2000 b2500 2 wheel drive sometimes decides it doesn't wanna start. It's happened 3 times now in the past week and every time iv tried jumping, it fiddling with the terminals, messing with the gear shift (automatic) and nothing seems to do anything and then 20 min later starts right up no problem. The trucks a little beat and real rusty from living it's life in maui but only has 130,000 miles and a ton of new parts. The gear shift is a little busted around the bottom and real loose though, it also doesn't tell you what gear your in so iv been assuming the problem has something to do with it not reading that its in Park but no matter how much I take it in and out of park or even try starting it in nutreul nothing seems to make a difference. When I tried looking it up online I was seeing a lot of problems having to do with similar trucks not starting because of a default in the anti theft mechanism and was thinking something with that could be preventing it from starting for a delayed period of time in the case of a theft. Please any suggestions really need it for work and have none to very little money to put into it at the moment. Thank you

 

The 2000 ranger version didn't have PATS for the 4 cyl, does the B version?

Also by "does not start" does it crank over and just not fire up or does it do nothing when you turn the key?

 

Welcome to the forum

I will assume no start means starter motor doesn't turn the engine, because of what you have tried.

The shifter switch for the starter motor is on the transmission, not the gear shift.
Black box on drivers side behind shift linkage
It is called transmission range sensor, Google it

Make sure its plug is tight and it is plastic so make sure it isn't broken

Ranger 4cyl didn't get PATS(passive anti-theft system) until 2001, and I think only in the 2.3l Duratec models.
And you would have a flashing anti-theft light if it was a PATS issue and you didn't mention that, which you would have if it was there, lol.

So assume this is an electrical issue.

In the engine fuse box will be the Starter Relay, when you turn the key to START the ignition switch under the steering column sends 12volts to the transmission range sensor, if it is in Park then that 12volts goes to the starter relay, which wil "click" closed and send another 12volts from 50amp fuse to the starter motor/solenoid, and starter motor will start spinning

Ignition switch-------------transmission range sensor---------starter relay-------starter motor

The 20 minute thing is odd, so maybe dealer or some one added an anti-theft system, if you have keyless entry then that is possible, and they do reset after a certain time.
So try unlocking and locking the door with the key fob if you have one