I have a 97 Ford Ranger, 4.0, in good shape, 102,000 miles and it doesn't start as well as I think it should. It cranks strong, and has new?

Motorcraft plugs and fuel filter. I've cleaned the MAF sensor and throttle body and the truck runs fine and there's no misfire.

Maybe I'm expecting too much, but I think the truck should start when I turn the key instead of having to crank 2-3 times. I've also installed a new IAC valve.

Any suggestions on how to get the truck to start better?

Check the starter. It's usually the first thing to go wrong in Fords, I believe it's located at or near the right front wheel well. They are a cheap part to buy.

Either the starter or (my guess) is fuel pump or fuel check valve getting old:

1. Fuel check valve: Turn the key on without starting, wait until the whirling noise goes away. Then crank it. It should crank the first time. If it does, it's the fuel check valve that's gone bad. You don't really need the valve. It's a convenience. You can always start it by turning the key on first and wait.

2. Do you have a fuel pressure gauge? You can test the fuel pressure against your model's specs. If it's on the low side it means that the fuel pump is starting to get old.

What Anebturia said plus - Carbon fouling on the intake valves and piston crowns can cause a slow start. You may want to try running a can of combustion chamber cleaner through the PCV valve hose with an over night soak. Should be lots of demos on YouTube of this process. You should really change the oil afterward.

After letting the vehicle sit over night try cycling the key to the ON position for 10 seconds and then OFF. Don't engage the starter motor. Repeat the key cycling 3 times and then try starting the motor. If it starts and runs right away you've just diagnosed a bad fuel pump check valve.

A lot of people forget to gap the plugs before they install them. They rarely come out of the box with the correct gap. A weak ignition coil could also be the problem or old ignition wires can have higher resistance than normal. Worn distributor cap and rotor could be the culprit. Dirty fuel injectors or low fuel pressure can also cause delayed start. I've found with some vehicles with a starter that draws high amperage that the vehicle will start the instant I release the key. My Toyota does that, so instead of holding the key until it starts, I release it after the engine cranks over a couple cylinders and it fires right up. The combination of just enough rpm to create the spark but killing the starter is the trick that works every time for me and I rarely need to crank it for more than a quick blip of the key, maybe a second at most.

It has 102,000 miles. It is 22 years old. There are many possibilities like a very slight vacuum leak with hoses that old, carbon buildup in the heads and piston tops or just lower compression from wear.

There are fidgets who won't turn the key to START and hold it there until the engine is running. They keep giving 1 second tries. But understand that every time you attempt to crank the engine from the ignition switch OFF position, that the fuel injectors are made to dwell longer for a moment, to give some electronic "choke", so you may be flooding the engine.

The crankshaft may initially have to rotate up to 2 revolutions before the ECM can get the crankshaft position sensor reading and the camshaft position sensor reading, to activate the ignition (spark).

Try turning the key to START and holding it there for up to about 5 seconds. And don't play with the gas pedal.

If you can't find a method to get the engine running sooner, then connect a fuel pressure gauge to the test port on the fuel rail and see if there's proper fuel pressure right away.

-Engine overhaul mechanic and general automotive mechanic since 1972. Retired in 2018.

Your truck is 21/22 years old. It is not by any means new. Get it fixed when the truck will not start anymore. It is not broken now. Do not fix it.

Because it has fuel injection, it has to maintain around 30 lbs. Pressure on the fuel injectors to start and run. Over time, the valve that holds that pressure in the fuel pump may not be holding as well as when newer and takes a while when the key is on and delivers voltage to the pump for it to build fuel pressure back up. A good way to test this is to turn the key on and back off a few times without starting the motor. Then if the motor stars instantly, it just shows the check valve to be weak with age. To fix the problem, you have to replace the pump. BUT it doesn't mean you have a bad pump! Just a weak check valve. I wouldn't do a thing, but drive it like it is. Because you probably don't have an issue with it except after it sets over night, Good luck!