** PLEASE HELP ** '02 Ranger Won't Start but Turns Over

[johnosbourn]

Hello Everyone,
I have an '02 Ford Ranger Short bed, single cab. 4cyl 2.3l. I was driving down the freeway with 2 other people in it (cramped fit haha)... they were moving around (dont know if this has anything to do with it) and all of a sudden my truck just shuts off. Just like that. Nothing prior to this has every happened with it. The engine turns over, but it does not start. I was told there could be condensation in the gas filter or rotary cap. I used Heet, and it didn't help. I kept trying to start it with the Heet in there for a good while just to let it run through the system. Nothing happened. If any of you know of anything that it could be, please post. I want everyone who even has the remotest idea to post so that I can get as many possibilites as possible. My truck is about 30miles away from my house, so this is urgent. Thanks and have a great day,

John O.

[jsweeter]

Take out the ignition module and have it checked at a parts store. These things can go bad at any time, even when driving. If the gas had water in it, it would still try to start and then just die.

Tell the people in the car to stay still too. Just kidding.

[johnosbourn]

Do you know how and where the ignition module is? Also, I thought for a while that maybe with them two being rowding... it could have triggered the Automatic Gas Shutoff... since it is a Ford... I figured it could happen. haha

[johnosbourn]

***ADDON***

I forgot to mention that after shutoff. By holding in the gas pedal could keep the engine would kind of half start and run rough almost like it wasn't getting any gas through the fuel filter.. By rough I mean that it would literally "blub blub blub blub blub" and as soon as I took my foot off the gas it would shutoff.

[jsweeter]

it was misfiring, probably when it died it sucked in some gas into the engine and that was causing the blub effect. Its concidered an ignition coil on this truck. Its where the plug wires come out of to run to the plugs. It should have a couple of connectors attached to it. Autozone should be able to test it still. The part is 74.00 dollars.

[DonSor]

With your ignition on but engine off check if hear any whirring sound coming from your fuel pump. Also check if you're getting gas at the fuel rail. Sounds like somone accidentally disconnected the "emergency shut off switch" located on the floor board just below the glove compartment on the passenger side.

[dosjx001]

try changing the spark plugs and wires. I have a 03 with the same engine mine did that and the plugs and plug wires were shot. What happens is the sparks plugs cannot burn off the fuel that the injectors throw on them. Mine runs good now.

[e_powers]

check fuel cut off very common for it to be tripped by a rowdy passenger it is in front of the passenger above the carpet usually

[Jacfourteen]

when checking the fuel cutout look at the bottom to make sure the wires haven't come unplugged, it seems possible that if stepped on just right the connector could get pulled out.