92 Ranger, int hard start when cold

[RonD]

...so the tank goes kah-plunk..

From that I take it the tank dropped a bit?
And pulled out the wire connection?
If so, it could have pulled a wire loose, inside the connector.

No, there is no angle restriction, only shut off for fuel pump is the inertia switch which is in the passenger kick panel or foot well, and it wouldn't break connection unless there was a sudden stop.

Fuel pump only has 12v power when key is first turn on, or intermittently while engine is running.


Fuel pump may have been returned because it was defective and the receipt for the one in there now isn't in the truck

 

[geoffriehl]

?

 

[geoffriehl]

who knows

 

[RonD]

That is odd, you should have heard that sucking air.

Too much air causes a lean fuel/air mix, which is exactly what you don't want on a cold start, you want rich.

Easiest way to figure out the fuel gauge is to test the gauge first.
On the wires to the fuel tank is a yellow/white wire, that's the wire that goes to the fuel gauge.
Disconnect that wire(whole connector is fine), turn on key, and gauge should go to FULL or EMPTY, either way is fine.
Now ground that yellow/white wire, gauge should do the opposite of above, so if it was at FULL it should go to EMPTY, or visa versa.

If this doesn't happen then you will need to pull the instrument cluster to test the gauge and anti-slosh module.

Which way it goes, i.e. FULL or EMPTY is based in the year of the truck.

I would also test the grounds on that connector.
Back wire and Orange wire are the grounds for the Pump and Fuel gauge, in that order.

 

[geoffriehl]

maybe a vacuum leak