Hey Everyone,

Bought a 98' Ranger XLT, 2.5L 4x2 Manual earlier this month (102,000 original miles) and oh boy could I use some help.

There's a rattle during ignition ONLY, on EVERY ignition (holt, cold, everything in-between). It sounds like rocks in a can, every start is unique, there doesn't seem to be a rhythm to it at all (See link below).

Here's what I've tried:

• I threw in a new oil filter to make sure the back-flow seal wasn't the issue and the lifters had oil on startup
• Pulled the starter and cleaned it, it's back in and working fine
• Oil is topped off, pressure is good when running, oil is clean

Some other important notes:

• Oil change less than 60 miles ago
• Recurring P0340 Code, replaced sensor and it came back
• No other codes

Please help me diagnose this issue, I'd love to hear what you all think.
Video Link:

 

Hey all,

Probably worth mentioning that I have a new spare alternator. I plan on throwing that in today or tomorrow.

I've read on some threads here that bad alternators can throw stray signals something or other, so I minus well see if that fixes the recurring P0340 code issue. Alternator appears to be charging battery correctly (voltage test under loads), but perhaps a bad ground could be the source of the circuitry issue.

More to come, would still love to hear some ideas on the rattle.

 

Try pumping oil pressure up before letting the engine start

Turn key on
Press gas pedal down to the floor and hold it down <<< this turns OFF fuel injectors so no start
Crank the engine over for a few seconds and then release gas pedal and engine should start

I do this every morning on my high mile 4.0l, so no dry starts


The 2.5l Lima has a timing belt and thin metal timing belt cover that can make a loud rattling sound if loose

 

Thanks Ron!

I'll give this a shot when I get home. Any mechanical reasoning as to why this would work vs. running it for a while and then starting it again?

What I'm understanding is that you're charging up the oil system prior to ignition to prevent dry start, but I've been driving it around turning it off, then turning right back on only to hear the sound. Am I missing your point?

Also, if the timing chain is loose, is that something I'm going to have to tear into or is a loose timing chain something I can live with?

 

Its just a test to take oiling off the table, could be one part inside that is draining all its oil out after even a short shut down

Timing BELT
Yes, these need to be replaced every 100k miles or so, a bit of work to do it but its just wrench work, hardest part is often just getting the crank pulley off the crank
Timing belt can break, won't cause engine damage, but vehicle won't start up again at that time

 

Quick update:

I swapped the alternator out yesterday evening and put close to 50 miles on it since. No CEL!

I think the problem was this think called "alternator ripple" that I had never heard of until yesterday. Glad I had a spare alternator on hand!

Starting noise is still happening, I'll see if the new started fixes it on Monday.

Would still love to hear ideas!

 

Hey Ron!

I tried your maneuver you suggested about gassing the pedal. I think it might have helped? Not sure if I just couldn't hear the sound over the louder ignition haha.

I'll follow up once I throw a new starter in to see if that fixes things. If not, I'll probably take it my mechanic to tune the timing belt because that's a little out of my league.

Thank you for your help!

 

To anyone following this thread:

A new starter fixed the ignition noise! I was a little surprised because the sound wasn't grindy like most stuck starter solenoid sounds, and the seemingly functioned perfectly well. But hey, I wont complain! I'm happy to have the sound gone.

Now onto this P0340 code that keeps coming back...

 

Good stuff

Thanks for the update