1988 Intermidant no start???

[Silvertooth]

...........I have a 1988 with 2.3. My wife and I where at the dump hauling off trash. ( My arm is in a sling from motorcycle accident)
We go to leave and it starts and dies. She cranks it with a no start.The fuel gauge does not work, so I think no fuel. Call my daughter, she brings us fuel and ...........fires right up.
We go shopping and.......happens again... so finally starts and we get it home.
(About a year before I had replace both fuel pumps), so I went ahead and got a fuel pump relay and replaced it.
I started the truck and let it and restart at my shop. Starts and runs just fine.(For about two weeks)

............today I drove it for about 30 minutes and stopped at a store,,,ready to leave, starts and dies. I did not hear fuel pump run while cycling the key. I had a fuel can in the bed and top it off and,,,,,,,,,,,,,,it started right up????

.............it only took about 2 gallons.
I am kind of wondering if the ignition module is starting to go???? ,,,,,,, again when it occurs ,I do not hear fuel pump running. What do you guys think?

 

[Haywire6000]

Has kinda of the same issue with my 93, turns out on my the fuse holder for the fuel pump fuse was corroded and loose, some baking soda and a screw driver fixed that.

 

[Silvertooth]

Has kinda of the same issue with my 93, turns out on my the fuse holder for the fuel pump fuse was corroded and loose, some baking soda and a screw driver fixed that.

Thanks for the reply. I am thinking it is something like this what is going on.(high resistance somewhere).
I need to do some voltage drop test, but my shoulder is messed up now. I am home recovering.

 

[Mark_88]

Wonky inertia switch...you hit a small bump, it cuts out the fuel pump...but then the ball settles where it's supposed to be and the fuel pump(s) run again...

You can try by-passing the inertia switch (I'm sure 88's had them)...if your truck doesn't conk out then you might want to replace the switch. There is also a reset button on them that you can press if this happens again...up under the dash on the passenger side...but the switch may be fried (had that happen)...

This is actually a fairly common problem on the older trucks...haven't seen too much in the newer ones so maybe they redesigned the switch...

 

[tomw]

Your truck is getting up there, {as is mine} so you might be in need of an actual ignition switch. It is mounted on the steering column, under the plastic cover {3 philips screws} down a bit from the lock cylinder. Mine started to come apart, and thus make intermittent contact. It has several pot metal 'fingers' that are bent over to hold the plastic gizzards into the housing. The metal started to relax due to wire loom tension pulling on it for >20 years, and the gizzards started to creep out. I tried pushing it back together and re-crimping the fingers, but it did not last. A new switch was ~$11.
The mounting screws have break-off heads, so you cannot unscrew easily. I used a file, and made flats on opposite sides, and then used a vice-grip on the flats to remove the screws. A LOT easier than drilling and using an easy-out. {they never work for me}
My fuel pump relay is mounted atop the computer behind the passenger side kick pad. You can make the pump run continuously by jumpering the EEC-IV test lead as if you were going to read the results via VOM.
tom

 

[Silvertooth]

Well,,,,,,,,,,,,,quick update. So far it has not acted up again. I grabbed an old tool box out of the shop, with multi-meter, test light, spare wire (to jumper if needed),misc, tools.
Been running great . Crazy intermidant problems???????

I might just get an ignition switch as stated from above poster, it is old. I will take a look at it. Right now with my shoulder I not sure I can replace. ,,,,, Merry Christmas to you all.

 

[Silvertooth]

Well....................acted up again today. I went for run and after my run, I thought ............... I just turned 49 ran 2 miles with a busted shoulder ,,,,,,a couple of beers would be nice.
Drove from the park to the store (about 7 miles) came out of the store and no fuel pump noise.
I grabbed my spark tester first take make sure I had spark, It was firing and seemed like it wanted to start.
Put the plug wire back on the plug and started right up.
Guys I did look under my pass side kick panel and did not see the fuel shut off switch. Did all rangers have them? Thanks

 

[Mark_88]

As far as I know, yes...the early ones had the inertia switch...it's actually (or was) located near the hump up by the heater box...but my Tempo had one located in the trunk...that I never knew was there because it was covered with some carpet or something...

But if you got it running without tripping the inertia switch then it may be something else...like a loose wire or contact...