Fuel Problems on Flex Fuel 99 Ranger

[gatorranger]

I have a 99 Ranger with the 3.0 Flex Fuel engine, with 51k miles. On saturday, it instantly stopped running upon startup. It cranks fine but then idles (or dies)as if there was no gas. No codes have been thrown on the panel. I changed the fuel filter with no results. If ether(starting fluid) is sprayed in the air intake the motor will run/idle fine. Also, when starting and in the run position, you can hear the fuel pump turn on. I figured that there must be a problem with the fuel pump and have one on the way. I also noticed that there is a sort of fuel regulator/sensor downstream from the fuel filter that I understand moderates the fuel on the flex fuel model. I can not find any information on this unit and whether it may be at fault. I would appreciate the forum's advice on what I should investigate or repair. Thank you.

 

[Ozwynn]

you know my jetta is doing the same damn thing and I am convinced its the fuel pressure regulator........... going to confirm it with a fuel pressure gauge as soon as I get 1.

 

[Wicked_Sludge]

i believe the module after the fuel filter is for sensing the ethanol content of the fuel so the computer can adjust timing/injector pulse accordingly. i have heard of it failing a few times.

i also thought the newer rangers use a returnless fuel system (eg. the pump is sped up or slowed down to regulate fuel pressure)

 

[JohnnyO]

My wife's 3.0 Taurus was acting up a while ago, turned out to be the camshaft postion sensor trigger bearing thingy (I think that's what it was called ). Apparently the bearing can sieze up. My man at the garage sprayed some WD-40 on it and it was good. About a $125 job to replace it if needed he said. Didn't cost me anything.
He was a little baffled because everything checked out okay, then called a Ford tech he knew who diagnosed the problem in about three seconds since he'd run into it before.