1988 Ranger won't start

[palsal]

I was was installing a new stereo in my 1988 ranger the other day and needed to tap into a power source that came on with the key. Found one and tapped into it. . .radio worked. . .but. . truck wont start. I tested for spark and it was present. . .is there some sort of emergency fuel pump cut off I may have messed with accidentally ?? Please help !! and thank you !!!

 

[Kadams87]

I was was installing a new stereo in my 1988 ranger the other day and needed to tap into a power source that came on with the key. Found one and tapped into it. . .radio worked. . .but. . truck wont start. I tested for spark and it was present. . .is there some sort of emergency fuel pump cut off I may have messed with accidentally ?? Please help !! and thank you !!!

You could check the inertia cut-off switch. Located in the cab on the Firewall on the passengers side, the carpet may be slightly covering it but it's up there in the middle ish. just push on it, if it clicks you're back in business.

 

[RonD]

Just to narrow down the search, when you first turn the key to ON the fuel pump should come on for 1 or 2 seconds to prime the system, if you do hear it then fuel is probably not the issue.
If you don't hear the pump then you are on the right track.

There is an inertia switch in passenger side either lower firewall or kick panel, it has a reset button, this cuts power to fuel pump if vehicle stops suddenly, i.e. a crash
As said above there will only be 12v power at this switch for 1 or 2 seconds when key is first turned on.

What method do you use to find the power wire?
Could you have shorted out a wire and blown a fuse without realizing it?

What color was the wire you tapped into?

If you look here:
http://www.therangerstation.com/tech_library/EDiagrams/index.htm

And then in the "Electronic Engine Controls" list
Select your engine diagram, find the fuel pump wiring and see what colors they are.

There will also be a fuse, usually in the engine compartment fuse box, that supplies power to the fuel pump, via the fuel pump relay

 

[fyre82]

If you used a conversion kit you wouldn't have had to look for KO power source, or have to devise wiring into the current system.

Work carefully, even 12v electricity and a lot of things don't mix.

 

[19bonestock88]

Why on earth would you splice a stereo into unknown wiring without checking its function? I just took power for my stereo out of my fuse box...