1988 Ford Ranger No Fuel Pressure

[johndough]

I'll just start from beginning to end. I fueled up at loves and brought my ranger back to my house and parked it. Engine off and all. About an hour later it started up fine, took it to Tractor Supply because I had to get feed. It ran fine all the way to tractor supply, nothing unusual. I come out of Tractor Supply to start my truck and nothing. I get my fuel pressure gauge out and no pressure whatsoever. Had it towed home so I could work on it. I tested my high pressure pump and my high pressure pump is working fine. Replaced fuel filter after high pressure pump. Bypassed the inertia switch. I decided to send my truck to the local mechanic in my area because I have too much going on with school and all. Mechanic says that the in tank pump is bad and needs to be replaced, which I'm going to do it as it's a pretty easy job. Although the previous owner from 3 months ago said that he replaced the in tank pump, I'd like to test the in tank pump. How can I go about doing that? I really wanna fix it myself so I can save money. Thanks

 

[Shran]

Pull the sending unit out of the tank and connect a 12v battery to the two terminals on the pump and see if it runs. Wouldn't surprise me if it failed, aftermarket pumps these days are awful. I was going through a pump every year in my '86... I replaced like 10 of them. Finally seem to have found a good one, haven't had a problem in 3-4 years now.

 

[rusty ol ranger]

I just unhooked the line at the black "canister" on the frame turned the key on and watched for fuel.

 

[johndough]

Pull the sending unit out of the tank and connect a 12v battery to the two terminals on the pump and see if it runs. Wouldn't surprise me if it failed, aftermarket pumps these days are awful. I was going through a pump every year in my '86... I replaced like 10 of them. Finally seem to have found a good one, haven't had a problem in 3-4 years now.

What should I look for if the pump is good?

 

[Shran]

What should I look for if the pump is good?

Well in that case I would hook the wiring back up to the sending unit, turn the key and see if it spits fuel out... rule out the wiring.

Sometimes I will unplug the high pressure pump and turn the key to run and see if I can hear the one in the tank. You may need an assistant to do that while you have your ear up next to the tank, it's pretty quiet.

 

[johndough]

Well in that case I would hook the wiring back up to the sending unit, turn the key and see if it spits fuel out... rule out the wiring.

Sometimes I will unplug the high pressure pump and turn the key to run and see if I can hear the one in the tank. You may need an assistant to do that while you have your ear up next to the tank, it's pretty quiet.

when you say hook the wiring back up to the sending unit, you mean high pressure pump correct? i’ve done that and unplugged the line on it to see if it’s working and spitting fuel, and it is. when i get the truck back i’ll try the second thing you said.