i have a 01 sport and it has done basically what you guys are describing. it will start but not crank. i swapped batteries, checked fuses, and checked the fuel pump switch and it still did not crank. i have never really noticed if the fuel pump was running or not in my vehicle. but it did seem as if it was not getting enough fuel. i tripped the fuel pump and then reset it and i did notice a difference in pressure on the pedal. are there other ways to diagnose this?
You mean "crank but not start"?
To check the fuel pump, note that it will run for about 2 seconds when you first turn on the key. Open the tank fill and listen carefully, as a friend turns on the key (just ON, not START). If the fuel pump isn't running, then you have a problem. Pump might be out, or relay, or inertia switch, or whatever. Easiest way to check the pump itself, IMHO, is to make up a jumper cable--about 6" long #14 wire with two spade lugs crimped on each end. Find the fuel pump relay, pull it, and use the jumper to bypass the relay (e.g. connect the jumper over the two "switch" positions of the relay. Its marked on the relay which two these are.) The pump should run.
If the pump is good: To make sure you are getting good fuel pressure, connect a pressure guage (probably $20 at harbor freight) on the schrader valve at your fuel rail. On my 1997 302 engine, its right near the intake in the middle of the engine. It has a cap on it. You should be getting decent fuel pressure, perhaps 35# or so.
In my case, I had several problems. First pump would not work at all. I replaced the pump. Second, had bad pressure at the schrader valve. I replaced the fuel pressure regulator, which is set up to increase or decrease the fuel system pressure. If it sticks open, which it did in my case, it can reduce fuel pressure in the system dramatically. Then I found crud in the tank. I detected this was a problem by disconnecting the fuel line at the fuel filter, jumping the pump relay to cause the pump to pump fuel, and noting very low output at the fuel filter. Crud in the tank was not allowing fuel to flow easily to the filter. This was intermittent as crud would jam the intake and then free up. Put bucket under the fuel filter lines when you pump the gas. So, I pulled the tank and am now awaiting a new one.
Others have mentioned cleaning the MAF and IAC sensors as well. This had no impact on mine.
Hope this helps as a starting point.
Mark.