My1996 4.0 Ranger recently started taking forever to start. It just cranks and cranks and then will finally turn over. Had it scanned and it gave me codes: P1151 and P1443. I know a bunch of things could be causing the hard start and the codes. Just wanted to see if these things together looked like something. I am very much a novice and usually diagnose with codes and youtube but I am a bit at a loss as to where to start with it this time. Any help is appreciated! Thanks!

 

try cycling the key 2 or 3 times before cranking, see if that helps

 

Cycling the key a few times did seem to help. What does that indicate? Failing fuel pressure regulator? Fuel pump?

 

Could be either

Ranger fuel pumps only run for 2 SECONDS when key is turned on, but they do that EVERY TIME key is turned on
Its a safety thing, once engine RPMs are above 400(engine started), fuel pump will be turned on full time.

Fuel pressure regulator(FPR) is behind and below alternator
It will have a fuel line connected, and vacuum line
The fuel line is the OUT back to fuel tank, FPR is set for 40psi pressure, so at 41psi, or so, FPR valve will open and send extra fuel back to gas tank

You can remove this fuel line(you need a tool) and put a towel down under the FPR port
Turn on the key and see if fuel comes out, it shouldn't
A little can dribble out, thats OK.

If FPR is OK then check valve inside the fuel pump has failed, its not a separate part, its inside the pump

This is all assuming you do NOT smell gasoline, lol, from a leaking fuel line


Ford fuel line release tools come in two "flavors" the scissor type and the set of plastic rings, I prefer the rings, but users choice