1994 Ranger 2.3 starting issues

I have a '94 Ranger with a 2.3 5 spd.During hot weather it will (sporadically) refuse to start after sitting in the sun. It starts on starting fluid, and when running has 34-38 PSI fuel pressure. When I turn the key to KOEO and I can hear the fuel pump buzz, it starts.

Is there some kind of insulation that can be added or a ground that may be suspect? Truck runs great when this isn't happening. It has NO other drivability issues.

Thanks for your help...

That era Ranger and Exploder were famous for crappy relay connections in the power distribution block. The ECU relay feeds the ECU (duh) then the ECU turns on the fuel pump. When you pull the relay, the terminal blades will be blue or black from heat. You swap a relay, all is well for a month or two then it happens again. A sorta half assed fix is to remove the box, flip it over, remove the bottom cover then pinch the terminals tighter with needle nose pliers to the point where it's hard to force the relay terminals into place.

Two things I can think of right off the top of my head. One, fuel filter. It isn't allowing enough volume through to get it started and doesn't restrict the flow when finally running. Two, I have had the primary coil pack fail and the truck runs off the secondary waste spark coil pack. Of course you don't really notice the difference in the power, it's still only 100hp pushing 3200# down the road, but starting does become an issue as the secondary pack fires 15-30^ after the primary pack.

So, my plan of attack would be to replace the fuel filter and check for spark on each coil pack at the plug. After that, it starts becoming an expensive and/or technical solution to the problem.

Brian

Thanks for the help so far...

Pulled and examined relay terminals, they weren't discolored; Pulled the back of the power dist box and tightened the female connectors as best as I could.

Pulled two codes (Auto X-ray EZ Scan 6000, FWIW)

543- Fuel Pump secondary circuit failure battery to control module (Hmmmmmmmmmmmmmmm!)

556- Fuel pump relay primary circuit failure

Next step is to check spark at each coil pack.

I used to own a '94 Ranger with the 2.3 and 5 speed combo. They can be very solid little trucks, but at this age they start to develop "quirks". The headlight switch can "someday" become another trouble spot for you. On mine, the headlights would sometimes not come on. I've also started to see these trucks on used car lots with "non-standard" switches installed.

Another area to watch is the master/brake booster. It can become rusty behind the booster and slowly develop leaks.

I realize you didn't ask about these areas, but I'm just saying, keep an eye open....and with Fords, there's always a good chance it's an electrical problem.

The relay is bad. Very common on that year of Ranger.