What did you do to your Ranger today? (Part Deux!)

[RustyShackleford94]

Got me a used 36” Jobox from my brothers body shop and threw it in the ranger. Other than some minor scratches from being flung into the back of a cab and the usual toolbox grime inside, its pretty much like new. Ill get some pics tomorrow. Remember folks, tie down anything that might impale you. Luckily it was to big to go through the back window.

 

[lil_Blue_Ford]

No work on the Ranger today, got things mostly unloaded from the F-150 and trailer. Looks like the ears are bent on the driveshaft so I guess a junkyard run is in my future if I can come up with a way to get there. Then I found the F-150 was stuck in the yard with only one front digging and no good anchor points for the winch so I had mom bring dad’s Ranger and sit on the road so I could winch truck and trailer out since it’s supposed to rain tomorrow

 

[ericbphoto]

Just did the real troubleshooting for my "no start" condition. Seems it may have been the inertia switch. I took a couple good hits on the front axle at the offroad park a few weeks ago. Didn't have any trouble initially. But today, I started the troubleshooting all over again from the beginning, recording a how-to video for others.

50/50 test - it actually started while spraying starting fluid and kept running without it (great! Intermittent problem?)
Check power at fuse and relay
Checked OBD1 codes - 542 - fuel pump circuit
Switch relay with another one
Bypassed relay with jumper

Stopped recording and began preparing access to the fuel pump, when I finally remembered hitting those rocks at the park. So, I jumpered around the inertia switch. 5 good starts in a row so far. I'm about to "replace" the inertia switch.

 

[sgtsandman]

Just did the real troubleshooting for my "no start" condition. Seems it may have been the inertia switch. I took a couple good hits on the front axle at the offroad park a few weeks ago. Didn't have any trouble initially. But today, I started the troubleshooting all over again from the beginning, recording a how-to video for others.

50/50 test - it actually started while spraying starting fluid and kept running without it (great! Intermittent problem?)
Check power at fuse and relay
Checked OBD1 codes - 542 - fuel pump circuit
Switch relay with another one
Bypassed relay with jumper

Stopped recording and began preparing access to the fuel pump, when I finally remembered hitting those rocks at the park. So, I jumpered around the inertia switch. 5 good starts in a row so far. I'm about to "replace" the inertia switch.

View attachment 84340

Sounds like my fuel pump adventure that turned out to be a funky fuse problem.

 

[1990RangerinSK]

Just did the real troubleshooting for my "no start" condition. Seems it may have been the inertia switch. I took a couple good hits on the front axle at the offroad park a few weeks ago. Didn't have any trouble initially. But today, I started the troubleshooting all over again from the beginning, recording a how-to video for others.

50/50 test - it actually started while spraying starting fluid and kept running without it (great! Intermittent problem?)
Check power at fuse and relay
Checked OBD1 codes - 542 - fuel pump circuit
Switch relay with another one
Bypassed relay with jumper

Stopped recording and began preparing access to the fuel pump, when I finally remembered hitting those rocks at the park. So, I jumpered around the inertia switch. 5 good starts in a row so far. I'm about to "replace" the inertia switch.

View attachment 84340

The inertia switch doesn't blow like a fuse, it trips like a breaker. Before you replace it, try resetting it. I think they pop up when they trip (an impact will trip it), so just push the switch down to reset.

 

[snoranger]

The inertia switch doesn't blow like a fuse, it trips like a breaker. Before you replace it, try resetting it. I think they pop up when they trip (an impact will trip it), so just push the switch down to reset.

It’s mostly an offroad truck… it sounds like he’s going to bypass it.

 

[ericbphoto]

The inertia switch doesn't blow like a fuse, it trips like a breaker. Before you replace it, try resetting it. I think they pop up when they trip (an impact will trip it), so just push the switch down to reset.

I understand. I had actually pushed the reset button on Friday and it didn't make a difference. I have read in other threads here, that once it has tripped, it is unreliable after resetting and should be replaced. Since I do mostly off-roading with this truck now, I permanently Bypassed it. I'm up to 8 good starts in a row now.

 

[sgtsandman]

The inertia switch doesn't blow like a fuse, it trips like a breaker. Before you replace it, try resetting it. I think they pop up when they trip (an impact will trip it), so just push the switch down to reset.

Eric and Snoranger already replied but I want to echo about the switch. Once they go off, they are notorious for being a problem after. Not always but often enough that they can’t be trusted to not be a problem again.

 

[snoranger]

I understand. I had actually pushed the reset button on Friday and it didn't make a difference. I have read in other threads here, that once it has tripped, it is unreliable after resetting and should be replaced. Since I do mostly off-roading with this truck now, I permanently Bypassed it. I'm up to 8 good starts in a row now.

I’ve read that here too… I’ve NEVER read that they need to be replaced after being tripped in any Ford documents. Trust me, I looked for it.

 

[sgtsandman]

I’ve read that here too… I’ve NEVER read that they need to be replaced after being tripped in any Ford documents. Trust me, I looked for it.

Our Ranger at work had a problem with that. Eventually Vehicle Maintenance changed the switch but only after it tripped about 5 or so times and we kept calling them about it. We drive 15 mph max on base on nothing but paved surfaces and the thing kept tripping.

 

[snoranger]

Our Ranger at work had a problem with that. Eventually Vehicle Maintenance changed the switch but only after it tripped about 5 or so times and we kept calling them about it. We drive 15 mph max on base on nothing but paved surfaces and the thing kept tripping.

I’m not saying they don’t go bad, because they do. I’m just saying that Ford doesn’t show them as one time use items.

 

[sgtsandman]

I’m not saying they don’t go bad, because they do. I’m just saying that Ford doesn’t show them as one time use items.

I didn’t mean to sound argumentative. Only relaying that I’ve seen it happen. It seems once they pop, you just don’t know if you depend on it working right again after.

 

[pjtoledo]

the one in m y 2005 popped when the pass door was slammed at about 5 below zero (F) 4 or 5 years ago. needed reset several times before it took.
then again about 2 years ago when I hit a sharp bump. that time it didn't reset and the wires were crispy.
replaced the switch and pigtails, been running fine since then.

on a related note early Taurus' had the switch on the left rear fender. it was common to use it for an anti-theft deterrent by smacking the rear fender to pop it.
did that many times on several cars and never had an issue.

 

[superj]

Drove the ranger into town for an appointment.

Got a call from a buddy who is the finance guy at one of the local ford dealers. He found a 2022 ford maverick that someone odered and than couldnt get and called me because my 83 year old uncle wanted one. So tomorrow my uncle gets a new truck.

My uncle told me he is just getting it until he cant drive anymore and than i can have it. Thats cool but i told him i would rather he just keep on driving and stay around for a while.

He is already to the age where the guys on my mom's side of the family pass away. 83 has been the age for a few of my uncles and my grandpa. Hopefully he goes a good bit longer because he and my mom are the last ones.

Anyway, here is the truck pics

 

[1990RangerinSK]

on a related note early Taurus' had the switch on the left rear fender. it was common to use it for an anti-theft deterrent by smacking the rear fender to pop it.
did that many times on several cars and never had an issue.

It's there up to 1995, for sure. Tempo/Topaz also have it on the left rear fender, and I believe Escorts did, too. They all also have the fuel cap on the right.