i just bought a 2001 ford ranger edge 2wd 3.0 v6 auto trans with 115k on it. it runs great once you get it started but its hard to start.
-when the engine is cold in the morning its not AS bad but still takes 5-6 seconds of cranking to finally start up. ive tried just turning the key to ignition 2-3 times so the feul pump could build pressure but that really doesnt make it any better
-when the engine is hot it gets worse and you have to crank it a couple times for 5-6seconds until it finally starts.
i was thinking changing the fuel fiter might help a little, but i cant imagine that if the fuel filter was that clogged it would run at all. like i said once if starts it runs great.
has anyone had the same problem?? thanks in advance for the help -tim

 

anyone have any ideas?

 

well i have the exact thing that happen to mine every time i start it. been doing this for two years when it had 80000 miles on it. I have no clue what it is i just got used to it though. If you find anything out let me know too!

 

i read about 5000 posts and am coming to the conclusion that either my fuel pump is getting weak or the check valve is bad. im gonna try to check it with a fuel pressure gauge at the rail and see what it does but does that sound about right? anyone?

 

I would say that you're on the right track

 

^agreed the fuel pump/check valve is going bad and it is allowing fuel to drain back when the truck sits for a while

 

Doesn't a bad Cam sensor/synchro cause long crank times too?

 

My 01 4.0 is starting to do the same thing. Might check into the cam sensor idea. If it is the check valve. Why change out a fuel pump because of a check valve? Could you feasibly just put an inline check valve on the fuel line somewhere?

 

This might not be your problem but my ranger got to where it took longer to start an was worse when the engine was warm. My problem was my coolant temp sensor. It would be worth testing it considering its free to do. Also cheap an easy to replace.

 

CAMSHAFT SYNCHRONIZER ftw. common problem. if not this then fuel pressure/pump is a good idea.

 

Sorry to bump such an old thread but this one seemed to be the best out of all. Did anyone ever figure out what fixed the problem? My ranger is having identical problems & I've taken it to multiple parts shops with no luck. I've replaced the fuel pump & filter & new plugs & wires. Also tried the coolant temp sensor. Of anyone has anything to help it would be greatly appreciated.

 

Yes, I have a 2003 edge 3.0 v6 with near 80k and having the same problems. I have been playing with the IAC motor in the intake, taking it off and cleaning and lubing it with different types of very light lubricants. Initially this seems to help, found the orange can Gig-a-Loo to be as good as any. Thinking that the IAC was not opening up enough to supply sufficient air to fire engine on start up. If you hold the throttle open slightly when starting this sometimes helps but other times it makes no difference at all. So I do believ there is another reason for long crank times, hot and cold. This appears to be a very common problem. HELP, someone must have the fix!

 

I know this thread is a tad old but thought I would update what worked for me that may work for others.

I have a 2002 XLT gas 3.0L 5 speed w/162k miles. It would start right up when it was cold. Drive it for a bit, turn it off and come back and try to start. It would take two or three trys to crank and then finally fire.

Thought it might be the ECT or fuel pump, check valve, etc, all the other things people have mentioned. I put on a new motorcraft IAC which really helped with a slight surging problem I had but did nothing for the warm start. Cleaned the MAF, still had the problem. Not wanting to spend a lot of money and anymore time on it, I tried the following:

Poured in some b-12 to help clean the fuel system
Poured in some gumout injector cleaner

... and for a workaround, stepped on the accelerator as I was turning off the engine.

No more warm starting problems. Its only been a week of multiple daily starts, but so far, I have not had a single warm engine start problem. Stepping on the gas as I turn off the engine seems to "prime" it for the next start. I notice if I don't do that, it will have the same problem. I'm no gear head, so I can't say exactly what it does, but it seems to work. Couldn't say if the fuel additives cleaned up the pump or check valve, but whatever it was, my problem is gone. Give this a shot and see if it works for you. I'll update the thread if I can narrow down what worked for me.