Clackling (sp) on startup
 

Sometimes when I start the trusty ranger, I get a crackling noise for about 1 to 2 seconds, then its gone... Could that be my catilytic converter dying on me? :( I hope to heck not... I have to get the ranger smogged so I can register it on base.

any ideas? I know its kinda vauge... but the rang still drives like a champ, no codes or weird noises besides that one.

My 02 4.0 did that. It was the starter, and wouldnt do it all the time. Others had the same problem and it was concluded it was mud in there I think. Its a metallic clanking isnt it?

hmmm, I didn't even think of the starter! ill pull it today and clean it to see if that's it!
thanks!

I just left mine. It was more embarrasing than anything else, never had any problems with it though. Let me see if I cant find that thread for ya.

There is this thread:
https://www.ranger-forums.com/forum2...=starter+noise
here is the search page:
https://www.ranger-forums.com/forum2...archid=1221198

heh, go figure... I slammed in some of the seafoam, and it seems to be gone now! I'm crossing my fingers!
Thanks!

Did you get a CEL after the seafoam? I did. Just curious. Diff motors, but a friends 3.0L Taurus got a CEL also.

Negative on the CEL. Did you follow the instructions on that link?
I just got it smogged yesterday and the guy said the ranger was running "clean, infact... super clean." :D

My 2.5L does that too. Click right at startup. It really only does it when it is cold out. I thought it was a lifter clatter, but like I say it don't do it all the time, so it must be the starter. What do you do to solve the problem? I do know that if i turn the key just right it won't do it. Thanks

I ran Sea Foam though the engine, and it's gone! :D

Have you tried turning the key so the Accesories get power, but not starting it, waiting, then starting it? No clue, but you never know. Mine would do especially when it was cold.

And Yes, I did follow the intructions. My truck drank about 2/3 of the bottle, and I put the rest in the fuel. Hm, wierd.

The clacking stopped after the seafoam? :biggthump

I'm happy to say it did on mine! :D

it takes a second or to to get oil to the lifters...some noise is normal on immediate start up, esp after letting it set overnight....

haha, go figure... I post sucess and bam! It did it again on a cold and rainy morning... poo... I'm with you on the noise... but it does it some times, then it wont do it. I'm gonna start logging it I guess.

Try cycling the key "On" a few times to allow the fuel pump to prime the engine before you start it next. I usually did it twice on mine, on cold days. I know this doesn't effect the oil, but it helped turn the engine over immediately, which meant faster dispersion of oil to the lifters, which meant less or No clicking.

Ill give that a shot! Do ranger fuel systems have a check valve in them? perhaps it failed? I already have to do that on my cobra :p But I deleted the check valve on the cobra, so its normal for the fuel to drain back...