Intermittent Ranger Starting Problem

My 2002 2.3 liter Ranger is normally dependable, but recently it will not
start. It cranks quickly enough, gives a strong spark, but doesn't light
up. The spark plugs are dry when I remove them, even if the accelerator is
floored. I swapped the fuel pump relay, thinking fuel problem, and it fired
up and ran fine; however when I ran into the same problem yesterday,
swapping the relay had no effect. The truck started later in the day with
no repair.

The truck is used very infrequently (roughly 1 time per month); it only has
5,000 miles on it. Could the infrequent use be a contributing factor?

What is the next step in troubleshooting this problem?

Jay Alperson wrote:
> My 2002 2.3 liter Ranger is normally dependable, but recently it will not
> start. It cranks quickly enough, gives a strong spark, but doesn't light
> up. The spark plugs are dry when I remove them, even if the accelerator is
> floored. I swapped the fuel pump relay, thinking fuel problem, and it fired
> up and ran fine; however when I ran into the same problem yesterday,
> swapping the relay had no effect. The truck started later in the day with
> no repair.
>
> The truck is used very infrequently (roughly 1 time per month); it only has
> 5,000 miles on it. Could the infrequent use be a contributing factor?
>
> What is the next step in troubleshooting this problem?

Next time it won't start, check for fuel pressure at the rail. Ideally
you would use a pressure gauge that you can buy cheap from auto stores,
or you can just press the pintle on the rail connection with something
pointed. Just be careful as fuel should be at 38psi at the rail.

I'm guessing the fuel pump is going. Do you hear it run when you turn
on the key?