87 2.9 motor problems

[87runner]

I have an 87 2.9 Ranger. When i got it it was always hard to start. the gas peddle had to be pumped like it was carb'd which makes no sense i know. But once it was running it ran fine. Steady idle and would accelerate through the whole rpm range no problem and had plenty of power. One day the windows stop working the radio had no power and none of the gauges worked, minus the speedo, drove to the gas station and the truck died at the pump. would start but once i let go of the starter would die. have replaced the FPR and the truck is getting plenty of fuel after priming the system, and is getting spark from all spark plugs but won't run. any help would be appreciated.
-Tyler

 

[Tedybear]

Speedo is not electrical. So that pretty much works as a mechanical device. Sounds like you have had a critical power fail. One possible place to look at would be at the battery area. You'll have your starter relay/solonoid. There might be a red wire that hooks into it and it goes to a fuse/relay block. (at least thats where our 89' BII has it).

If that red wire is crap? Busted...etc... That one wire feeds the main fuse block. You're going to need to do some detective work. Time for a good old fashion test light or multi meter--and a wiring diagram.

Good Luck!

S-

 

[87runner]

There is a red wire it goes from the solenoid to a wiring harness on the core support for the lights(then is crimped to a black wire) problem is the motor is swapped from a 87 BII(2 owners ago) so there are some spliced wires with in line fuses and weird stuff, started pulling the wiring harness apart and found ALOT of exposed wires that look to actually be factory. guess i will start by re-wiring these bare wires and check every fuse and relay.

 

[Tedybear]

There is a red wire it goes from the solenoid to a wiring harness on the core support for the lights(then is crimped to a black wire) problem is the motor is swapped from a 87 BII(2 owners ago) so there are some spliced wires with in line fuses and weird stuff, started pulling the wiring harness apart and found ALOT of exposed wires that look to actually be factory. guess i will start by re-wiring these bare wires and check every fuse and relay.

I wasn't aware the engine was swapped. The inline fuses are most likely fuse links. They can be checked with a multi meter or test light. But if you have bare wires and exposed wires? That would be a huge issue...and if one shorted out to ground? That would of course toast a fuse link or main fuse in the block. Good luck with it!

S-

 

[87runner]

I wasn't aware the engine was swapped. The inline fuses are most likely fuse links. They can be checked with a multi meter or test light. But if you have bare wires and exposed wires? That would be a huge issue...and if one shorted out to ground? That would of course toast a fuse link or main fuse in the block. Good luck with it!

S-

well at one point it was wrapped in tape in the main wiring harness but the truck is an 87 and has lived in all parts of the country so its seen all the elements of whether and the tape cracked and fell apart. but the lights on the dash work(ie seat belt light, CEL, parking brake light). is there any other fuel panels on the truck besides the one under the steering wheels?

 

[Flat Toy]

Just a thought, you say it will start but quits when the key is released. When that happened on my 86 BII I found that the lower half of the ingnition switch had started to come off. A couple of wire ties and runs like a top.

 

[87runner]

Just a thought, you say it will start but quits when the key is released. When that happened on my 86 BII I found that the lower half of the ingnition switch had started to come off. A couple of wire ties and runs like a top.

So you are saying when the key is in the on position it isnt connecting power to anything but when i turn to the cranking position it all connects then when released back to the on position it disengages almost like i pulled the key out? That actually makes sense now cause everything that runs of the key isnt working. Thanks will give that a shot tomorrow!

 

[Tedybear]

I hope it's that one. Quick and almost painless. Didn't occur to me about the switch itself. Nice Catch.

S-

 

[87runner]

pulled the column cover off looked at the started harness and it was drooping down so i pushed it back up and then fell apart... now need to figure out how to get the black piece that slides back in the right way

 

[87runner]

Just a thought, you say it will start but quits when the key is released. When that happened on my 86 BII I found that the lower half of the ingnition switch had started to come off. A couple of wire ties and runs like a top.

Thanks Flat Toy that was the problem, zip tied it up and started right up.