# 1998 Ford Ranger Starting Issues

**URL:** <https://community.cartalk.com/t/1998-ford-ranger-starting-issues/131914>\
**Category:** Maintenance/Repairs\
**Created:** [January 3, 2019, 6:35pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/1998-ford-ranger-starting-issues/131914 "2019-01-03T18:35:35Z")\
**Posts on this page:** 2\
**Page:** 1

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**Author:** ![KregerVXC\_143438](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/k/b5ac83/32.png) [@KregerVXC\_143438](https://community.cartalk.com/u/KregerVXC_143438)\
**Post date:** [January 3, 2019, 6:35pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/1998-ford-ranger-starting-issues/131914/1 "2019-01-03T18:35:35Z")

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I have a 1998 Ford Ranger, 3.0, 5 speed. My problem is starting the truck. If I casually get into the truck and attempt to start it, the vehicle simply will crank and crank, but refuses to start. I have noticed that if I turn the key to the “on” position, and wait for the tone to stop, then it starts fine. I can hear the fuel pump activate when I do this. Occasionally I will try to start the truck and I will simply hear something spinning, but no crank. Any ideas? Thanks

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**Author:** ![NYBo](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/cartalk/user_avatar/community.cartalk.com/nybo/32/17281_2.png) [@NYBo](https://community.cartalk.com/u/NYBo)\
**Post date:** [January 3, 2019, 6:59pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/1998-ford-ranger-starting-issues/131914/2 "2019-01-03T18:59:53Z")

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It sounds like you have two problems:

1. The anti-drainback valve in the fuel pump isn’t working.
2. The starter gear is sticking or there are teeth missing on the flexplate.