95 Ranger intermittent no start

[gungeek]

My Gal starts the truck up...stops for coffee a mile away...truck fails to restart.
No spark, no fuel. unplug airbag module and replug it engine fires up every time.
real PITA.
Happened before the wheel explosives almost cost her an eye, and now for years after too.
So yes, that dangerous Piece of crap has been deployed in the past when a deer gave her truck a little hip action before running off.
Has anyone had experience with this? Also I sure would like to disable the new explosive device for her safety, but the no start is causing her more angst at this point.
Thanks for any help.
Barry

 

[gungeek]

but wait there's more

Forgot to mention...
it's the blue box behind the passenger floor kick panel.
When it has the no start issue it starts for a split second before dieing and will not restart thereafter until I monkey with the airbag module plug.
ALSO...I have made sure the last several times that no movement is made by the inertia switch and plug...so that aint it.
Thanks
Barry

 

[WJC97]

So how did you originally discover that the airbag module and no-start were related?

 

[adsm08]

Leave the RCM (restraints control module) unplugged and see if the problem goes away altogether. If it does then I'd say its time to start checking those wires and thinking about a new module.

 

[gungeek]

"So how did you originally discover that the airbag module and no-start were related?"
When I replaced the wheel explosive, I was told that I would need a new module as well. When the start failure ocurred next, I unplugged and replugged it just to see if that was the cause.

"Leave the RCM (restraints control module) unplugged and see if the problem goes away altogether. If it does then I'd say its time to start checking those wires and thinking about a new module."
I did'nt know it could be left unplugged...if that is so then maybe I'll bypass the inertia switch as well just to eliminate that as a possibility...Thanks
Barry

 

[adsm08]

"So how did you originally discover that the airbag module and no-start were related?"
When I replaced the wheel explosive, I was told that I would need a new module as well. When the start failure ocurred next, I unplugged and replugged it just to see if that was the cause.

"Leave the RCM (restraints control module) unplugged and see if the problem goes away altogether. If it does then I'd say its time to start checking those wires and thinking about a new module."
I did'nt know it could be left unplugged...if that is so then maybe I'll bypass the inertia switch as well just to eliminate that as a possibility...Thanks
Barry

Note that if you leave it unplugged, your airbags will not work. I'm not aware of anywhere that that is illegal, but I just feel i should tell you so that I know you know.

I would not bypass the fuel cutoff. That is a crash safety feature that helps prevent engine fires in the case of an accident. If you suspect the switch, replace it, they are cheap.

 

[gungeek]

Having the wheel bag non functioning would be awesome actually, My Fiance is 5'3" and sits so damn close that it is of little use anyway...when the deer cracked the grill she nearly lost an eye to the damn thing and her left hand was ejected so violently she suffered broken fingers and a massive hematoma on the back of her hand from the side window impact.
I am 6'8" and try my best to never squeeze in behind the ranger wheel as driving or riding in it causes me great pain anyway.
As far as the fuel cutoff...I've driven dozens of cars in the last 27 years and not one had that feature...so I'm totally OK with not having it in her truck.
At my size I cannot even safely wear a shoulder belt in most cars.
14 seatbelt tickets so far...never paid a one.
The secret behind my cavalier comfort on such things is my personal policy of "just don't hit stuff"
Thanks for your concerns though
Barry

 

[Original_Ranger84]

I understand you thing about the Airbags, as my airbag light has been on since i bought my new truck, i really don't care just because i drove my 84 ranger around everywhere without it why would this one make a difference if it works or not i don't plan on driving like a maniac (I'll get around to fixing it sometime just not a top priority.)

The inertia switch I'm gonna have to disagree there... I would highly reccomend leaving it in (especially if it isn't the problem) it prevents you from just firing the truck right back up after a crash till you hit the switch yeah... but in case of a roll over or something it shuts off and relieves pressure in the lines and shuts off the pumps to. If a line was ruptured and that was bypassed you would have fuel sraying everywhere including on hot parts like the exhaust which could cause a fire and possibly an explosion... Its there for a reason. I would rather not risk my life like that. Just something to think about.

 

[adsm08]

yeah. Most vehicles, even going back to the days of the carburetor had some way of stopping fuel flow in an accident, even if it was just the engine dies and kills the cam driven pump.

I don't know exactly what chevy and dodge use, I know that they do have something.

 

[adsm08]

yeah. Most vehicles, even going back to the days of the carburetor had some way of stopping fuel flow in an accident, even if it was just the engine dies and kills the cam driven pump.

I don't know exactly what chevy and dodge use, I know that they do have something. While not hitting stuff is a great plan, its not fool proof. I have a friend who wrecked her car last summer, plowed into a tree when she came around a corner and another tree was down in the road. Her fuel cutoff wasn't working properly, 6 hours later in the repair shop parking lot, the car burst into flames. She is just lucky it didn't happen while she was still in it.

Don't bypass the fuel cutoff dude.

 

[gungeek]

Thanks guys

While I appreciate the concern, It's gonna get bypassed for sure.
I went to a dealership a friend has worked at for 27 years and we asked around the shop...concesus is...? do away with the damn thing, huge known issue on pre OBDII rangers, (hers is pre OBDII 95).
I was in a car many years ago (yard car at a junkyard where I worked) that had the tank explode while I was in it...I just got out rather than sit and wait for fire to consume the thing. I aint worried about the miniscule possibility of pump driven fire at any rate. The truck has a smidge under 350k miles on it anyway 2.3, 2nd rear, 3rd trans. If it burns I hope I have marshmallows handy.
Thanks for all the hep
Safe and prosperous NY to ya.
Barry