'85 Ranger 2.3l Randomly Dies

[flgiconic]

I hope this is the right sub-forum. I'll just repost my introduction post.

Hey, I'm Joe. My dad recently gifted me his '85 Ranger 4x4. Very clean rig. I plan on doing a little to it, not to much though. Wanna keep it kind of stock-ish. He put thousands into the thing and we thought it was good to go, wrong. Something is still acting up. Don't have any idea what it could be. Almost the entire electrical system was replaced, all the fuel components, engine is brand new. All done by Ford and my brother in-law who was an auto tech, went to wyotech, and is now and journeyman electrician. He knows his stuff. We've been in and out of other shops around the area and everyone is stumped.

Might as well explain the issue. Before all the new stuff, it would just up and randomly die on my dad during his commute to Portland, or just where ever he was driving really. Spent $$$ to have it looked at and everyone said "well, best bet is a new engine"... Mmmhmmm... Cut to about 6 months later it's fully back together and, same issue. It'll start most of the time and sound great, even drive, but then randomly it feels like a miss, or no fuel... neither is the case. We are totally stumped. No clue. We all know our way around cars and trucks but never encountered something like this.

I just went out and ran it today. Ran great for about 3 minutes then choked a few times and died.

It's an '85 2.3l 4x4 longbed if anyone was wondering.

Give me things to check, I'm stuck.

Thanks for having me, look forward to getting to know you guys.

I'll post up some pictures and video when I have some light and as I go.

Thanks again.

 

[RangerFabWorks]

I commented on your introduction post. But I'll post again here

Does it still have the factory 1bbl carb on it?

 

[tomw]

If this has EFI, you might consider checking two relays: fuel pump and ECM(computer).
The FPR is on the passenger side inner fender under the plastic box that covers the starter relay and EGR solenoids.
The computer relay is atop the computer behind the passenger side kick panel.
Either one could be on its way out after 32 years.
If you have not replaced it already, the TFI module located on the distributor, under the 'bowl', may be cooked and intermittent. Be careful of the spades on top of the TFI that get pushed into the bottom of the bowl as the receiving sockets are embedded in a plastic that gets mushy when old and will fall apart if treated roughly.
Take a reading on the fuel pressure & delivery volume, also check the amperage the pump draws as they'll increase as the pump is on its last legs.
tom

 

[mavereq]

If you change the TFI, put some heat sink paste on it where it meets the distributor

 

[scotts90ranger]

Third vote on the TFI module or the pickup in the distributor... my brother has an '86 F150 that the pickup inside ended up fixing the problem that sounded exactly like you describe...

 

[flgiconic]

I commented on your introduction post. But I'll post again here

Does it still have the factory 1bbl carb on it?

It's fuel injected

 

[flgiconic]

If this has EFI, you might consider checking two relays: fuel pump and ECM(computer).
The FPR is on the passenger side inner fender under the plastic box that covers the starter relay and EGR solenoids.
The computer relay is atop the computer behind the passenger side kick panel.
Either one could be on its way out after 32 years.
If you have not replaced it already, the TFI module located on the distributor, under the 'bowl', may be cooked and intermittent. Be careful of the spades on top of the TFI that get pushed into the bottom of the bowl as the receiving sockets are embedded in a plastic that gets mushy when old and will fall apart if treated roughly.
Take a reading on the fuel pressure & delivery volume, also check the amperage the pump draws as they'll increase as the pump is on its last legs.
tom

Thanks a lot. Will go inspect all I can.

 

[flgiconic]

Thanks for all the help everyone. I'll go try as much of it as I can today. I'll take some pictures and video if I'm able.

 

[donaldcon]

I'm with the others.. tfi.



Sent from my SAMSUNG-SM-G891A using Tapatalk

 

[flgiconic]

Went out today to mess with it, battery was dead from sitting. Got it charged and started it up, shot a video.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rfibp6eMY4I

I don't speak for most of it because I thought maybe someone would notice something. It runs for a little over a minute. Video is only two and a half minutes.