Bad fuel pump? Will only start with starting fluid.

[1993ranger_ohv]

• #1

Ok so i have a 1993 4.0 ford ranger. I use it mainly for off road. The other day i took her out for a spin, pulled into my driveway and park it. Got back in it and it would not start. So i took the fuel line off going to the filter and i was getting fuel there. So i sprayed starting fluid into the intak and it started right up ideled fine so i drove it a few miles ran fine, but when i cut it off it would do the same thing. Only start with starting fluid. Anyone have anyclue what could cause this?

 

[sheep herder]

How old is the fuel filter?

 

[1993ranger_ohv]

How old is the fuel filter?

Its well over a year old. I took it off and blew it, waa not clogged and the gas tgat came out of it was clean

 

[RonD]

Unplug the TPS(throttle position sensor) 3 wire connector and see if it starts on its own

All fuel injected engines have a "Clear Flooded Engine" Mode in their computer
Computer sends TPS 5 volts with key on
TPS normally sends back under 1 volt when throttle is closed, and 4.5volts when throttle is Wide Open(WOT)
If engine is at 0 RPMs(off), and TPS is at 4.5-5.0volts(WOT) the computer starts Clear Flooded engine mode, which means it leaves spark on but turns fuel injectors OFF, to.......................clear a flooded engine when you crank it over

If RPMs should go above 400 then computer exits clear flooded engine mode and injectors start working, engine cranking speed is 200rpms

So if TPS was shorted or its wires, so sending 4.5-5.0v to computer with key on................then no injectors when cranking, but injectors would start to work if you used starting fluid, RPMs above 400

Longshot but not a no shot, lol.

I would suspect Fuel pump issue, be its FREE to test TPS

Clear Flooded engine is a good thing to know about for testing other things as well
And I use it every morning to start my high mile 4.0l, I crank it over with gas pedal to the floor for 5+ seconds to get oil circulated, then release gas pedal for startup

 

[rusty ol ranger]

Try cycleing the key a few times before you actually crank it.

Sounds like a bad check valve letting fuel drain back to the tank after shutdown. If it wasnt getting fuel at all you wouldnt of made it a couple miles on ether unless youre really, really talented.