Fuel system never primes

[Bstray83]

Have a 94 2.3 and it's been giving me a fit. About two weeks ago once I turned the key on the fuel pump wouldn't come on until I cycled the key on and off for about ten minutes. Once it come on it primes properly and runs fine. So I changed ignition cylinder think that would fix the problem. Didn't fix it. So I continue having the problem daily. A few days later I think maybe it's the fuel pump itself, install a new pump. Turn the key on pump kicks on primes and drives perfectly for the rest of the day. Following morning back to square one yet this time pump kicks on and stays on, never primes or shuts off. So I begin reading forums and trouble shooting issues and haven't found a solution. I'M IN DESPERATE NEED OF HELP/DIRECTION!!!

What I have done:
Replaced FPR
Injectors (used out of another ranger I have that's totaled but ran perfect before being totaled)
Fuel filter
Relay
Inertia switch
Swapped ECM ( out of other ranger)

After trial and error I've found that my ground to my fuel pump relay isn't working so I jumped one in off the firewall ground so the pump will run when the keys on but it never primes. I'm completely stumped any direction or advice would be helpful.

 

[RonD]

Welcome to the forum

The Fuel Pump Relay is grounded by the computer, but just for 2 seconds with key ON, computer will then ground it full time once RPMs are above 400, engine started, this is a safety thing

Have you tested for fuel pressure at the test port on the engines fuel rail?

If there is no pressure then my guess is your new fuel pump is bad, this is common on 3rd party fuel pumps, usually 2 or 3 replacements, under warranty, will get you one that will last a few years
The Motorcraft(Ford) pumps are 3 or 4 times the price but they tend to work for 20 years

If you have fuel pressure at the test port, then unplug the TPS(throttle position sensor) 3 wire plug, then try to start engine
If the TPS shorts out computer will turn off fuel injectors during cranking
DO NOT buy a new TPS, do the test first, its a LONG SHOT at best

 

[sgtsandman]

I seem to remember in another thread mention about the fuel pressure regulator being bad and pressure was bleeding off as a result causing the pump to continue to run. I would do what RonD recommends first. He knows his stuff.

 

[Bstray83]

Hey guys appreciate the advice. Took a few days away from tinkering with it until today. Put everything back together. Tested my fuel pressure and it was reading about 50 with the key on but dropped to about 20 with the key off. Turned it over a few time just to see if it would start it never did. Left my ground jumper going to the relay so the fuel pump would stay on and disconnected my TPS sensor. Fuel pump never stopped and when trying to turn over it just clicks. I'm completely confused now.

 

[RonD]

So starter motor is not working?

Maybe battery is low or terminals are dirty

Have you tried jumping starter relay on the inner fender


And just to confirm
When starter was working did you try spraying fuel manually into the intake to make sure spark was timed correctly and compression is good. i.e. it starts when you add fuel manually?
50/50 test

And because its a 2.3l Lima engine it has a timing belt, and these can just break one day, no warning, if that happens then no compression so no start

 

[Bstray83]

Switched out battery and it started. Ran pretty shitty but could still here the fuel pump running. Once I pressed the accelerate lighty it begins to bog down and shut off.

 

[Bstray83]

I changed timing belt about three months ago and it ran fine up until about 3 weeks ago

 

[RonD]

Unplug MAF sensor and see if it runs any better, this does NOT mean MAF sensor is bad if it does run better

MAF is a main sensor so when unplugged computer goes into Open Loop operation

Do you have a timing light?
Just curious, most don't any more