Engine cut while driving. Where to start?

[Redav72]

I've been working on my 94 3.0 Ranger. I bought it this summer with the engine in the bed. A couple months ago I re-installed the engine and have been steadily restoring various components to stock. It's been running "ok" for a couple months and I've put 300 miles on the odometer. Outside of some transmission problems I had though I was almost finished with the engine bay. A couple weeks ago I found a new computer at the junkyard and installed it last night. One of the challenges that I had been hoping to solve was a pretty rough idle and very poor gas milage (12.5mpg) I suspected that the computer might have been a contributing factor. I purchased a 93' 3.0 computer from a junkyard truck without an EGR.

The truck started great with the new computer and the check-engine light issue disappeared, throttle feel was snappy and I was really pleased. I took a couple short drives and filled the gas tank. On my way back from Orielly's this afternoon the engine simply quit just as I was turning into my driveway (whew!). I parked it safely on the street and tried to pull codes. The check-engine light was illuminated but the OBD1 self-check and code retrieval both failed to return a result.

The starter turns the engine over but but doesn't start. It's possible that the new computer is an issue but I'd like to start troubleshooting other systems first. Where should I begin?

 

[franklin2]

Get a fuel pressure gauge and screw it on to the test port on the fuel rail. See what fuel pressure you have when you turn the key to run but do not start the engine. If you hear the pump running but have no pressure, I would first suspect water in the fuel system that has frozen. I am assuming you guys are as cold as we are in the East.

If this has been a project for a year or so, the fuel system may have water in it.

 

[Redav72]

Thanks, fuel was right place to start my search. I tested the electrical connections and ruled out a bad ground or the impact switch. A new fuel pump is now installed and the truck makes noise again. The previous owner had replaced it a year ago but it seems that the pump failed.

 

[Brain75]

if a OBD1 computer fails to generate any codes at all, even test ok, then the computer probably is bad - the #1 thing to go wrong with the computer is capacitors, you can re-cap them yourself very cheap if you know how to run a soldering iron.

code for system checks ok is 11