Ford's four-wheel-drive Ranger was introduced in 1982, and since then has undergone many transformations to improve the vehicle inside and out. However, despite these interior improvements, malfunctions can occur. If your 2001 Ford Ranger will not start, you can perform a few common troubleshooting tasks to find and fix the problem.
Insert the key into the ignition to see if the key will turn. If the key will not turn, the steering column could be locked. Try moving the wheel back and forth while trying to start the vehicle. If this doesn't work, there might be a problem with the key, or the ignition starter. Try using a backup key to see if that will resolve the problem.
Check the dash to look for the check engine light. One common problem of 2001 Ford Rangers is the failure of the Differential Pressure Feedback EGR Sensor. If this occurs, the check engine light will illuminate. A check engine light can reveal many internal problems and if you see this, you should get your vehicle serviced.
Turn the key in the ignition. If nothing happens at all, this is a sign that your battery could be dead. More than likely, you left your lights on, or some other device was left on that temporarily drained the battery. Recharge the battery using a booster pack, or get a boost from another vehicle by connecting jumper cables.
Listen to the sounds of your car. If your car makes clicking noises when you try to start it, this is another excellent indication that the problem is with the car's battery. Again, try to recharge the battery with a booster pack or jumper cables. If that doesn't fix the problem, you might need to replace the battery.
Look at your fuel indicator light. This might seem like an obvious step, but if you have forgotten to put fuel in your engine, your car will not start.
