2003 Ranger 3.0 won’t start
#1
12-01-2018
Join Date: Nov 2016
Location: Nashville, TN
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2003 Ranger 3.0 won’t start
Hi all,
My 3.0L v6 ranger won’t start. It will crank with a strong battery, but won’t fire. It has happened before and I ended up having to replace the fuel pump, but I am not sure that this is the problem again because even if I spray some starting fluid into the throttle body it won’t fire even for a moment. That puzzles me and I’m not sure what could be the problem. Also, I have cut the wires on the inertia switch and twisted them together for a permanent connection. Unsafe in some eyes, I’m sure, but I was tired of my truck dying on the road when carrying passengers who would barely touch the floorboard in the wrong spot with their big ol’ boot.
Any ideas? Thank you.
My 3.0L v6 ranger won’t start. It will crank with a strong battery, but won’t fire. It has happened before and I ended up having to replace the fuel pump, but I am not sure that this is the problem again because even if I spray some starting fluid into the throttle body it won’t fire even for a moment. That puzzles me and I’m not sure what could be the problem. Also, I have cut the wires on the inertia switch and twisted them together for a permanent connection. Unsafe in some eyes, I’m sure, but I was tired of my truck dying on the road when carrying passengers who would barely touch the floorboard in the wrong spot with their big ol’ boot.
Any ideas? Thank you.
#2
12-01-2018
Welcome to the forum
Check fuse #19, 25amp, in cab fuse box, it powers ignitions coil pack, spark, Red wire at the coil pack gets 12volts from this fuse if you want to test power at the coil, key on
Does the CEL(check engine light) come on when you turn on the key?
That means Computer is powered up, if not then could be a blown fuse in engine fuse box, PCM Fuse, Fuse #7, 30amp
There is also a PCM POWER DIODE in engine fuse box, never heard of one failing but computer(PCM) can't power up without it
PCM Relay, in engine fuse box, should "click" closed with key on, that sends Fuse #7 power to the computer
Assuming Coil has power(fuse 19), and computer is booting up(CEL is on) then there are only 2 sensors that can cause no spark on a 3.0l Ranger.
Crank sensor is located on the front of the engine down by the main pulley, at about 10:00, if it fails then computer can't time spark
Cam sensor is located at top rear of engine, it also drives the oil pump so on 3.0ls it will often cause a No Start if its not working, but.............BOTH of these will set codes if they are not working
So borrow or rent a Code reader, assuming computer is Booting up
If you don't have your 2003 owners manual get it here: https://www.ranger-forums.com/genera...1-models-3747/
It will have fuse box lay outs
Check fuse #19, 25amp, in cab fuse box, it powers ignitions coil pack, spark, Red wire at the coil pack gets 12volts from this fuse if you want to test power at the coil, key on
Does the CEL(check engine light) come on when you turn on the key?
That means Computer is powered up, if not then could be a blown fuse in engine fuse box, PCM Fuse, Fuse #7, 30amp
There is also a PCM POWER DIODE in engine fuse box, never heard of one failing but computer(PCM) can't power up without it
PCM Relay, in engine fuse box, should "click" closed with key on, that sends Fuse #7 power to the computer
Assuming Coil has power(fuse 19), and computer is booting up(CEL is on) then there are only 2 sensors that can cause no spark on a 3.0l Ranger.
Crank sensor is located on the front of the engine down by the main pulley, at about 10:00, if it fails then computer can't time spark
Cam sensor is located at top rear of engine, it also drives the oil pump so on 3.0ls it will often cause a No Start if its not working, but.............BOTH of these will set codes if they are not working
So borrow or rent a Code reader, assuming computer is Booting up
If you don't have your 2003 owners manual get it here: https://www.ranger-forums.com/genera...1-models-3747/
It will have fuse box lay outs
Last edited by RonD; 12-01-2018 at 07:11 PM.
#3
12-02-2018
Join Date: Nov 2016
Location: Nashville, TN
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Thanks for the reply. The #19 fuse checks out okay visually. The CEL comes on at power-on so that shows the computer is booting. I have almost ruled out the fuel delivery system because even if I put a little fuel into the throttle body it will not fire up even for a moment. It would back earlier this year when it was the fuel pump that had failed. I don’t have access to a code reader at the moment. It did previously have a camshaft position sensor code and it was running rough. I will admit to having previously oiled the synchronizer that sits under the sensor on the advice of some online forums - not sure if it was here. But apparently it gets starved for oil and goes bad. So a little extra preventative oil squirt or two onto the camshaft synchronizer unit. Maybe oil got into the sensor and went bad?
#4
12-02-2018
I would get a volt meter or 12volt test light and see if you have 12volts at the Red wire on the coil pack with key on
No, the oil wouldn't hurt the Cam sensor, also doesn't help the bushing inside synchro tower, the one that squeals when it gets worn out, but it doesn't hurt anything to add the oil
No, the oil wouldn't hurt the Cam sensor, also doesn't help the bushing inside synchro tower, the one that squeals when it gets worn out, but it doesn't hurt anything to add the oil
#5
12-02-2018
#6
12-09-2018
Join Date: Nov 2016
Location: Nashville, TN
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After a few days of long work hours, I finally had time to mess with the Ranger.
Turns out it was a faulty crankshaft position sensor.
Well, specifically, it was the wiring that had went bad. The clip that holds the connector in place had broken and the connector was just floatin’ in the breeze. Not connected at all. I didn’t notice this until after I bought a new sensor and wiring kit. Would have been a $20 fix but I fixed it for $50 :)
Thank you all for the responses.
Turns out it was a faulty crankshaft position sensor.
Well, specifically, it was the wiring that had went bad. The clip that holds the connector in place had broken and the connector was just floatin’ in the breeze. Not connected at all. I didn’t notice this until after I bought a new sensor and wiring kit. Would have been a $20 fix but I fixed it for $50 :)
Thank you all for the responses.
#7
12-10-2018
#8
01-06-2019
Join Date: Jan 2019
Location: SPRING HILL
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Same issue but 1993 3.0
[QUOTE=RonD;2145585]Welcome to the forum
Check fuse #19, 25amp, in cab fuse box, it powers ignitions coil pack, spark, Red wire at the coil pack gets 12volts from this fuse if you want to test power at the coil, key on
Does the CEL(check engine light) come on when you turn on the key?
That means Computer is powered up, if not then could be a blown fuse in engine fuse box, PCM Fuse, Fuse #7, 30amp
There is also a PCM POWER DIODE in engine fuse box, never heard of one failing but computer(PCM) can't power up without it
PCM Relay, in engine fuse box, should "click" closed with key on, that sends Fuse #7 power to the computer
Assuming Coil has power(fuse 19), and computer is booting up(CEL is on) then there are only 2 sensors that can cause no spark on a 3.0l Ranger.
Crank sensor is located on the front of the engine down by the main pulley, at about 10:00, if it fails then computer can't time spark
Cam sensor is located at top rear of engine, it also drives the oil pump so on 3.0ls it will often cause a No Start if its not working, but.............BOTH of these will set codes if they are not working
So borrow or rent a Code reader, assuming computer is Booting up
If you don't have your 2003 owners manual get it here: https://www.ranger-forums.com/genera...1-models-3747/
It will have fuse box lay outs
Same issue, but my check engine light does NOT come on. No relays click and fuel pump doesn't prime. I tried my code reader but it doesn't give any codes
Check fuse #19, 25amp, in cab fuse box, it powers ignitions coil pack, spark, Red wire at the coil pack gets 12volts from this fuse if you want to test power at the coil, key on
Does the CEL(check engine light) come on when you turn on the key?
That means Computer is powered up, if not then could be a blown fuse in engine fuse box, PCM Fuse, Fuse #7, 30amp
There is also a PCM POWER DIODE in engine fuse box, never heard of one failing but computer(PCM) can't power up without it
PCM Relay, in engine fuse box, should "click" closed with key on, that sends Fuse #7 power to the computer
Assuming Coil has power(fuse 19), and computer is booting up(CEL is on) then there are only 2 sensors that can cause no spark on a 3.0l Ranger.
Crank sensor is located on the front of the engine down by the main pulley, at about 10:00, if it fails then computer can't time spark
Cam sensor is located at top rear of engine, it also drives the oil pump so on 3.0ls it will often cause a No Start if its not working, but.............BOTH of these will set codes if they are not working
So borrow or rent a Code reader, assuming computer is Booting up
If you don't have your 2003 owners manual get it here: https://www.ranger-forums.com/genera...1-models-3747/
It will have fuse box lay outs
Same issue, but my check engine light does NOT come on. No relays click and fuel pump doesn't prime. I tried my code reader but it doesn't give any codes
#9
01-06-2019
I would start your own thread
So your 2003 Ranger with 3.0l engine, (exact match?), will turn over(starter motor works) but won't start up?
Do all the other dash lights come on, except CEL, that means computer is not booting up, not getting power
#11
01-06-2019
And your 1993 Ranger 3.0l is way different than a 2003 3.0l Ranger as far as electric, fuel and other systems, so not "same issue"
and it's just not good forum etiquette, lol, no I am not the etiquette police, just a suggestion if you want some answers
Go here: https://www.ranger-forums.com/2-9l-3-0l-v6-tech-32/
Click on + New Thread
Include the year, 1993, engine, 3.0l, also manual or automatic and 2WD or 4x4
and the problem you are having
I or someone else will answer your question there
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