Hello everyone,

I am from Germany and I've just bought a 97 not running Ranger 4.0.

I've changed the starter. It cranks but the engine won't start.
I have a spark but it doesn't start with ether.

I have checked the fuses and the relays. They are all good. And the fuel pump is running when I turn the key...

The CEL is on with ignition on but off when I try to start. That means that the ECU is still good, isn't it?

I have a cheap obd reader it doesn't connect. So maybe the ECU is bad?

Any idea?

 

Welcome to the forum

1997 Ranger will have the 4.0l OHV engine, very reliable engine, just NEVER overheat them or you WILL crack a head
In 2001 Rangers got the 4.0l SOHC engine, quite a different engine with overhead cams, so heads up of you do searches using Ranger and 4.0l

Any gasoline engine needs 3 things to start/fire
Spark, at the right time
Fuel mixed with air
Compression above 100psi

Spraying fuel into the engine, 50/50 test, can get you instant results
You can spray in gasoline, ether, carb cleaner, pretty much anything that can be ignited, lol
Pull off the larger air tube from the upper intake, move it out of the way so Fan won't hit it
Open throttle and spray in your fuel
Try to start
If it starts, runs and dies then you have a fuel delivery issue
If it doesn't start or fire then its a spark OR compression issue

The 4.0l OHV wasn't known for compression issues, but if possible I would test 2 cylinders just to take that off the table, 145-165psi is expected

1997 Ranger uses the computer for BOTH fuel and spark
Coil packs can fail but usually just one of the coils in the pack(there are 3) so it would still start just run rough
Test the Red wire on the coil pack for 12v with key on

Yes, CEL on means computer has booted up
CEL off while cranking means Crank sensor is sending a timing pulse to computer, which is good

While its a long shot the Crank's harmonic balancer(crank pulley) has the Tone Ring that times the spark and its held in place on the crank shaft by a woodruff key, the key can shear off, so spark is no longer timed correctly to engine
You can use and old time timing light to check this, it also tells you if you have spark, strobe flashes

 

Thank you for your message! I already tried almost everything you said.

After a couple of hours, I've checked the spark plug cables...
I don't know what the last owner did but all the cables were wrong!

With the right order, the Ranger started right away!