Q: I have a Ford Ranger 2004 with only 40k miles on it. Runs like new. Until one day this week , I was driving out of town o lying an

asked by on September 01, 2017

I have a Ford Ranger 2004 with only 40k miles on it. Runs like new. Until one day this week , I was driving out of town and hour drive. Stopped to get something to eat and when I came out it started and and idled low and shut off and then would not start at all. It would crank but not start. While waiting for the two truck I tried and tried with nothing. The two truck got it home and it started right up on the roll back like nothing was wrong. It's been a few days and still runs great. I had the fuel pressure checked, the shut off switch and the relay. All checked out fine. What could have caused this?

My car has 40000 miles.
My car has an automatic transmission.

The statements expressed above are only for informational purposes and should be independently verified. Please see our terms of service for more details

Get an instant quote for your car

Our certified mechanics come to you ・Backed by 12-month, 12,000-mile guarantee・Fair and transparent pricing


Experienced Mechanic?

Earn up to $70/hr

What others are asking

Grinding noise when putting vehicle into gear, plus no acceleration.
Several things could be causing this issue including internal differential failure, axle failure, or transmission failure. The differential is unlikely since the vehicle will still accelerate to 25 mph. An axle however could have slid out of place due to...
Electrical problems with car.
The problem still sounds like it is a battery or the connections to the battery. I recommend having a qualified mechanic like one from YourMechanic. The mechanic would be able to find the reason the power is not getting out...
Car won't start
Hello. I usually start by checking the battery (https://www.yourmechanic.com/services/battery-is-dead-inspection). If it is low enough these other systems will work but there will not be enough power to engage the starter. If the battery is fine then most of the time...
My truck is having difficulty accelerating past 55 mph, what can be the cause of that?
Hi, thanks for writing in. Sometimes when you move from the mainland to the Hawaiian Island, a few issues could occur. One is excessive saltwater corrosion that could cause damage to steering components or exposed rubber pieces underneath the vehicle....
When I turn the wheel I hear a very bad creaking sound
The noise is going to be coming from an upper or lower ball joint most likely. A tie rod end can also make the noise but the ball joint is most common cause of noise when turning (https://www.yourmechanic.com/services/loud-clicking-noise-when-i-turn-the-car-inspection). To isolate...
My engine has a rough idle. It spits, sputters, and stalls out. Could it be a bad injector?
Hi and thanks for contacting Your Mechanic. Yes an injector could cause an engine to spit and sputter or even stall out. Injectors (https://www.yourmechanic.com/services/fuel-injector-replacement) over time can become dirty from the contaminate in the fuel tank that when passed the...
The dash instrument cluster keeps dropping out.
Hi there. Check the ground wires to the instrument cluster and see if the wires are loose. A loose ground will cause the instrument panel to shut on and off all the time. Also, check the battery cables (https://www.yourmechanic.com/services/service-battery-cables) and...
Can a side engine mount leak? 2003 Acura MDX
Hi there - yes, the motor mounts (https://www.yourmechanic.com/article/how-long-do-engine-motor-mounts-last) in your Acura are hydraulic, containing a small amount of fluid, and can leak if damaged, or if they fail. I would recommend an engine mount replacement (https://www.yourmechanic.com/services/engine-mount-replacement) by a mobile, professional...
My Windshield delay wipers. 2012 Ford Explorer
Hi - there are 2 possible sources to this wiper shutoff (https://www.yourmechanic.com/article/symptoms-of-a-bad-or-failing-windshield-wiper-module) problem: is the delay mechanism itself - which is electronic - at fault, or the wiper "position" mechanism - which mechanically senses when the wiper arm returns to...

Related articles

A Buyer’s Guide to the 2012 Ford F-350
With With Ford’s stiffest chassis to date, the 2012 F-350 is one of the most reliable heavy-duty pickup trucks on the market today. With the quiet cabin and plush ride, though, you’ll feel like you’re driving in the comfort of...
2011 Dodge Ram vs. 2011 Ford F-150: Which One Should I Buy?
Large trucks can be fun to drive, and even more fun to get dirty. Unfortunately, they may also cause you to get phone calls from friends who need to move into a new apartment. Fortunately, just having a truck may...
The Best Used Cars to Buy If You're Over 50
Shopping Shopping for a car when you’re over the age of 50 begins to shift a bit, as your priorities tend to change. Suddenly it’s not so much about what the vehicle looks like, or how much space it has...