Died while driving

[MT_PLS]

1989 Ranger, 2.3L, manual trans.
Had been driving at 65mph for a solid hour, seemingly running well, gauges all show normal. Truck suddenly loses power and dies as I limp it to the side of the road. Oil and coolant levels normal, no signs of leaks. Turn key and can hear fuel pump cycle. Cranks and will sometimes start, but does not want to stay running. Have managed to get it to run for a few seconds, but will not rev above 1500rpm. Does not sound like timing is off, no knocking, etc. I was able to barely drive it onto a car trailer and get it home.
Any ideas on where I should start?

 

[SenorNoob]

That's weird.

Fuel Air Spark Timing Compression. Not necessarily in that order. Good luck.

 

[scotts90ranger]

My best and most educated guess is crank sensor, they do silly things when they stop working... next guess would be the DIS module on the front of the intake that interprets the crank sensor input... I've never broke one of those and I've been really mean to it but I have had a bad crank sensor...

 

[RobbieD]

Does not sound like timing is off

I'd still check the timing belt. How old is the belt?

 

[MT_PLS]

I just rebuilt the engine 1800 miles ago, replaced all timing components at that time.
I can hear the fuel pump run when I cycle the ignition. I am going to replace the fuel filter tomorrow morning just to rule that out. Is there a schrader valve on the fuel rail that I can check fuel pressure?

 

[I support common sense]

Sounds like something electrical, check your sensors, and wiring harnesses, maybe a bad ecm?
On my 99 ranger there is a spot you can check your pressure on the left side of the engine. (Facing the front) Whatever happened it was quick, maybe something clogged in the fuel line similar to how the honey comb in a catalytic converter can shift and block the exhaust causing you to lose power.

 

[lil_Blue_Ford]

So… not to scare you… but the last time I had something like that happen to me was in my 92 when I melted a hole in a piston.

Schrader valve is on the fuel rail.

I‘d check compression and fuel pressure. Pull any codes. Hopefully it’s just a sensor or something dumb that died and a little troubleshooting will get you fixed up.

 

[ekrampitzjr]

Fuel filter. When did you last change it? Have you been running Fred's Bargain Fuel to save a dollar on a fill?

Last year my Ranger cut off when slowing from 55 mph for a red light. The next day I had the fuel filter changed. It was still the original that the factory had put on the truck. No problems like that since.

 

[97RangerXLT]

from your description, I would look at the fuel pump volume. it is running, but is it putting out enough PSI to run the engine? check fuel filter, replace if not done so in a while. check to see if you are getting intermittant signal to any of the sensors especially the crank position sensor. Also, this year had TFI modules, not sure if your engine did or not, but if it does, check it as well. usually if those fail it will be sudden and without warning, but they also rarely will run intermittently...

AJ