This is on my brothers Ranger but I can’t figure it out. His truck won’t start when it’s damp outside. As in it rained and it’s misty or in the mornings. Well, it has to set for awhile and be damp outside for it to fail. It doesn’t happen all the time just enough not to trust the vehicle. There is no spark getting to the plug, the plug wire, or the coil. I have replaced the coil already and that didn’t fix it as I thought it would. Gas can’t be an issue because there is no spark getting to it. The security (theft light) is normal. (It will flash repeatedly if something’s wrong) and it’s not doing that it works as it should. What the hells wrong with this damn thing. It seems something’s got condensation on it and its shorting out. This started happing about a year after he bought it and ford could never fix it. Thanks for any help

2000 Ranger 4x4 V6 3.0L Auto

 

Just an idea from a newbie...

When you try and start it does the starter even try and turn over? If not maybe there is a buildup of residue that occurs on the battery?

 

No, it trys to turn over there just is no spark.

 

Moisture generally plays havoc with the secondary Ign. system but in your case it sounds like it is doing something to the primary side. Have you gone over allof the connectors for the coil, ign module and crank/cam sensors? Another rhing to check if you can is injector pulse. If you get a noid light and check to see if you have injector pulse with no spark thet could help narrow down the problem.

 

Does the Tach move when you crank it. It may have a problem with the crank sensor and doesn't know the engine is turning over. Check connections for corrosion.

 

Start with the simple and cheap: a new cap and rotor. A hairline crack will cause these symptoms. If that dosn't do it, then look at a crank sensor. I doubt it's plugs or wires, as it would still start but just run a little rough. Also make sure gas is getting to the injectors. Ford fuel filters should be changed at least every 20K, if not sooner. That is the key to a healthy fuel pump.

 

There is no cap and rotor on a 2000 Ranger 3.0L

 

I switched out the relays and it still won't start. I don' t know what the hells wrong with this thing. The tach doesn't move but it doesn't move on my F150 when I start it. And yea there is no cap on a 2000. Any thing else to look for? whats the crank position thing about?

 

With a distributorless ignition, the crank position sensor tells the engine where the crank is in its revolution and thus allows it to set the timing. If there is no signal (faulty sensor) then the ignition will not know when to fire the plugs (timing) and there will be no electricity to the spark plugs.
I don't know where it is located on your engine. Mine is in the front cover on the drivers side (4.6L V-8).
Find a manual or try to find another site with this information.

 

Check the inertia fuel cut off switch. It may be tripped. Look behind the passenger side kick panel.

Regards

JMC

 

Try cleaning the MAF and make sure no moisture is getting at it, check around and see if you can spot water leaking down on the engine when it rains and getting wires wet. scan for codes.

 

Well, guys it appears to be the crank position sensor. Tried to start it won't start replaced the CPS and started right up. Thanks to all the helped!!!