I have a 2001 Ranger (2.5L) that intermittently will not start. It started fine after work yesterday, I drove about 15 minutes and stopped at the store. When I got back in, it fired for a second and then just turned over. I tried several times to start it but it would just turn over. I tried unplugging several different connectors under the hood and plugging them back in but it still just turned over. Pressed on the schader valve and gas squirted up. After waiting about 15 minutes it started right up and ran fine. I stopped at the post office, thinking it would restart, but when I got back in, it just turned over. Finally had to have my wife come get me. I went back later last night with a multimeter and checked the fuel pump relay and fuse. Relay was fine, there was power to the relay when the key was on. I even tested the wiper relay, then put it in the fuel pump socket. The fuse was good and had power to it. When I pressed the schader valve to see if there was fuel pressure, I got nothing out.
I left the truck sit overnight and came back this morning. The first time I tried to start it, it just cranked. I tried again and it started right up. My wife drove it home, shut it off and was able to restart it several times.
This problem has happened a few times in the past, and would restart after waiting anywhere from about 20 minutes to overnight.
I hope it's not the fuel pump but I'm looking for suggestions before going that route.