Have a question for y'all. My 2000 Ranger is having problems starting. It primarily happens when making several stops. Each time after it has run, it gets harder and harder to start to the point where it doesn't want to start. It is not struggling to turn over, it just turns and turns over and over until it finally catches and starts.
When it finally starts, I have to give it gas to get it going. But when I get it going, it seems to run fine, until I shut it off again. I have taken it to the shop and they changed the spark plugs in it, but that did not change anything. Tonight after making 3 stops, it took almost 15 seconds to finally catch and start. I'm leaning towards a spark issue, but after it starts and runs, it runs down the road like nothin. No miss, no hesitation, nothing else to show a spark problem

The engine also has a severe pinging problem. It is really noticeable on the highway while going 50-65 mph. I have cleaned the MAF, ran seafoam thru it, run 93 octane gas thru it and nothing helps.

Any suggestions to help solve either or both problems would be greatly appreciated.

 

I would check the ignition coils and fuel pressure.

 

does it smoke alot/at all when it catches and fires up

 

x2 sounds like the problem

 

You ever find out what was wrong with your truck? I'm beginning to wonder if I'm not having the same problem with my 2004...

 

Ended up being a leaky fuel injector causing the fuel pressure to drop. Ran some Heavy duty FI cleaners thru it and cleaned the injectors and the problem has yet to reappear.

To help diagnose, try priming the fuel pump before you start the truck. Turn the key to on, turn it off, turn it back to on, wait for fuel pump to prime, and then try and start and see if it starts easier and faster.