89 Ford Ranger xlt 2.3l: My daddy's ol truck and what I learned to drive in! Finally mine, but after much neglect :(

[IdrivehisTruck89]

Hey yall,

I'm 37 and my daddy passed away when I was 11. I was the text book daddy's girl GOD I miss him. I finally after all these years have his truck! But she ain't what she used to be...She will crank but won't start . I've replaced the fuel pump, filter, fuel regulator, new spark plugs and wires....she still only runs with Manifold cleaner being sprayed directly in the intake and cuts off as soon as it burns it off. I just bought a TPS sensor so that will be my next step. I'm going to take the throttle body off, clean it and put the new sensor in! I'm getting frustrated but I know it'll be worth it when I hear her crank up and run again!

I'm not even skilled enough to be called a shade tree mechanic I have a little help here and there from folks that know their stuff but I'm stubborn and want to do this mostly myself!

I have spark, I have fuel pressure, I just need combustion. I took the injectors out and cleaned them. The plugs have gas on them so I figure I'm getting the fuel there but my fuel air ratio must be off. I'll update if the TPS helps. I'm not savvy with the whole testing stuff but any tips would be appreciated just keep em 'dumbed ' down for me thanks
Idrivehistruck

 

[RumPunch]

If you have fuel(35+psi) and spark then timing would be my first go to. Cranking speed is good? If all that is ok then compression would be next on my list. How long has it been sitting?

 

[IdrivehisTruck89]

As long as MaF cleaner is being sprayed In the intake it cranks right up no problem. It's been sitting a year my uncle said but I'd bet more like 2. My dad was In law enforcement 18 years, he taught me how to dr8ve that truck on the back roads of my hometown lol snow ice, defensive driving all of it..9 years old lol

 

[DrWho42]

henlo! welcome to the forums!

 

[2011Supercab]

Seeing that you've had the multiple years of education and training required to become a "Ford Technician" and an "ASE Certified Tech" you should be able to figure this out quickly.

And welcome to TRS

 

[IdrivehisTruck89]

Seeing that you've had the multiple years of education and training required to become a "Ford Technician" and an "ASE Certified Tech" you should be able to figure this out quickly.

And welcome to TRS

View attachment 81473

Yea I saw that hahaha. I have no idea how or where that came about! I'm most assuredly not that.

 

[Uncle Gump]

If you have spark... proper fuel pressure and it will run on MAF cleaner... you need to ensure the injectors are firing. If there is no injector pulse it won't run.

 

[Uncle Gump]

To correct the ASE and Ford Technician banner issue... Edit your profile and unselect those options.

 

[IdrivehisTruck89]

If you have spark... proper fuel pressure and it will run on MAF cleaner... you need to ensure the injectors are firing. If there is no injector pulse it won't run.

Is that something I can do? And if so what do I need to test them? I know there are specific tools for it but is there ANY other way?? Think backwoods lol this morning I checked the codes old school by counting the check engine blinks with a jumper on the plug u plug the computer scanner in....the code was for throttle position sensor. Does that mean it's the tps or can than mean other things too?? I'm literally learning as I go with the guidance of a few wise ol shade tree mechanics who come in if I ask them too bc they see me wanting to try to figure this stuff out but getting expensive so I'm open to ANY tricks of the trade

If you have spark... proper fuel pressure and it will run on MAF cleaner... you need to ensure the injectors are firing. If there is no injector pulse it won't run.

 

[Uncle Gump]

If you have checked codes and had no ECM failure... thats good. But I would not go replacing anything until it runs... then you can address fault codes. Codes really give you a place to start... a TPS code doesn't mean you have a bad TPS necessarily.

Typical way to check for injector pulse is by using a NOID light. They clip into the injector connector and will light when you have proper power and ground at the connector. Injectors have constant 12 volt supply and the ground side is switched to fire the injector.

This can be done using a test light... it is recommended to use a high impedance test lamp when testing anything coming from or going to the ECM. This prevents high current from spiking the ECM. I don't believe a standard test lamp will hurt you here... but use caution on other circuits. Disconnect one of your injectors... turn the key on... and check for power at the injector. If you have it... connect the test lamp across the two wires at the injector connector and crank the engine. The test light should flash if the ECM is ground the injector control circuit.

But before you go there... you say you have fuel pressure. How did you check it?

 

[IdrivehisTruck89]

If you have checked codes and had no ECM failure... thats good. But I would not go replacing anything until it runs... then you can address fault codes. Codes really give you a place to start... a TPS code doesn't mean you have a bad TPS necessarily.

Typical way to check for injector pulse is by using a NOID light. They clip into the injector connector and will light when you have proper power and ground at the connector. Injectors have constant 12 volt supply and the ground side is switched to fire the injector.

This can be done using a test light... it is recommended to use a high impedance test lamp when testing anything coming from or going to the ECM. This prevents high current from spiking the ECM. I don't believe a standard test lamp will hurt you here... but use caution on other circuits. Disconnect one of your injectors... turn the key on... and check for power at the injector. If you have it... connect the test lamp across the two wires at the injector connector and crank the engine. The test light should flash if the ECM is ground the injector control circuit.

But before you go there... you say you have fuel pressure. How did you check it?

I do have pressure. I don't have an official number but fuel pump primes and when I pressed the pressure valve thingy (so sorry it's early I'm learning and I can't remember names of anything right now lol) it has a lot of pressure. A significant amount more than pre fuel pump replacement

 

[IdrivehisTruck89]

I do have pressure. I don't have an official number but fuel pump primes and when I pressed the pressure valve thingy (so sorry it's early I'm learning and I can't remember names of anything right now lol) it has a lot of pressure. A significant amount more than pre fuel pump replacement

If I were to compare it to an air compressor psi I would estimate 40-50

 

[Uncle Gump]

Fuel pressure is really more precise then horse shoes and hand grenades. But ok.. see if you have power and pulsed ground at the injector connector.

 

[rumblecloud]

Welcome to TRS.

You're in good hands. Just take your time.
Trucks' been sitting for awhile already so no need to rush.
Solve one problem at a time.

 

[ghostrider]

There is another way to check injectors and that would be to pull one ,have someone else crank it over and watch the tip of the injector for fuel spray. Be careful though it will be a high pressure fluid and be sure you do not get any sparks nearby. So sorry to hear your Dad died just when he was so important in your life.