'91 Ranger Not Starting and Stalling

[zaxxon]

If anyone can help me with any advice on this, it would be greatly appreciated. I have a '91 Ranger 4.0L. A Few days ago the truck wouldn't start; it turned over fine but wouldn't start up. I tried to start it the next couple days with the same results. Today, it started up and I drove it to work. On the way there, I made a two-minute stop at a friend's house and left the truck running. When I got back to the truck, it was off. It started fine though, and I drove to work. After work, the truck took a couple tries to start. On the way home, at low speed the engine stalled. Started up though, and I went home.

I don't know if these things are connected to the starting/stalling issue, but the check engine light has been coming on intermittently, and I also always noticed a gas smell when I started the truck (I've owned the truck about two months).

Does anyone have any ideas of what the problem could possibly be, and/or any fix suggestions or courses of action that I can try before I take it to a mechanic? Thank you.

 

[f3joel]

Check fuel pressure.

 

[zaxxon]

Check fuel pressure.

OK, will do, thank you.

 

[TxGasRacer]

http://troubleshootmyvehicle.com/ford/4.0L/how-to-test-a-no-start-condition-1 http://troubleshootmyvehicle.com/ford/4.0L/how-to-test-the-fuel-pump-1

 

[zaxxon]

http://troubleshootmyvehicle.com/ford/4.0L/how-to-test-a-no-start-condition-1 http://troubleshootmyvehicle.com/ford/4.0L/how-to-test-the-fuel-pump-1

Beautiful, thank you TxGasRacer.

 

[zaxxon]

The truck starts when I use starter fluid. I checked the fuel pressure and it seems OK. It was 42 with the key turned and 37 when it was running. I replaced the plugs, wires and coil. When I used the test light, none of the cylinders were getting spark, before and after the new stuff was put in. But it starts right up with starter fluid; I don't get it.

Today, I drove a few miles to the auto parts store and back and right before I got home the truck lost power for a second, like a hiccup, and then stalled.

Once in a while the truck does start on its own, but 90% of the time it just cranks without starting.

 

[TxGasRacer]

This is what makes me thing it is the fuel pump (The truck starts when I use starter fluid) so it sounds like you need a new fuel pump,I went through this same thing about six months back and it was the fuel pump.

 

[zaxxon]

Was the fuel pressure good in your case, too?

 

[zaxxon]

These are the codes I got (I think) when I did the key-on ignition-off test.

11, 14, 41

"System checks OK," "Ignition pickup was erratic - Ignition Systems," and "(R) System lean - Fuel control."

For 41, the chart says it's for the ignition running test, can the engine off test get it too?

 

[zaxxon]

Sorry to not update this sooner. In case it helps anyone, it turned out to be the crank position sensor. Thanks for the help, all!