Hello from a corn field, IN

[Witty]

My name is Chris and I live in NW Indiana. With winter coming, I needed to put the import up since I hate driving it in the snow.

Last weekend I bought a 1988 Ranger 2.3 5spd (or 4spd with o/d, whatever you want to consider it) off a coworker. I went to my coworkers house after work one night to see where he lives (claimed it was a pain in the ass to find) and it ran fine on the test drive. Hesitated to start when we went to pick it up. Now its sitting in my yard and doesn't want to start. Cranks but wont fire. Both pumps are new and just tried a new relay. Now I'm stumped. Hopefully i'll get it soon.

Anyways, happy to be a new member and hope to find the reason and get it fixed soon.

Edit: After posting, I noticed that I didn't explain very well. When I turn the key ON, the pumps kick on but never shut off. My coworkers said try replacing the relay first.

 

[Mark_88]

Welcome Chris to TRS~!

Fuel, air, spark...the only things you really need to make them run...first thing...put some gas in the tank...(it might save you quite a bit of frustration with testing things)...if that was already done then you can start looking at possible problems...it was running so I'd imagine it is something simple...

So...to troubleshoot...check the shrader valve on the fuel line...it should squirt out of there when you depress the valve...if not...no fuel pressure...then remove the line from the fuel pressure regulator and sniff it...if you smell gas then the FPR needs to be replaced...you can also try just squirting some starter fluid into the intake and see if it starts...if it does...then the problem is fuel related...if not...it may be spark related.

Your truck has a distributor, coil, TFI on the distributor, MAP on the firewall, and a few other parts the computer uses to control/deliver the spark...it also only has 4 plugs that makes testing and changing things a bit easier...but you can test each of these by various methods if necessary...

So...first up...check fuel, squirt starter fluid and update as needed...it was running so there are not too many things that can go wrong...

 

[Witty]

I checked the shrader valve and it showed pressure. Just to make sure it was the correct pressure i used a fuel pressure gauge. The pressure held at 40psi.
Then I checked the hose for the FPR, not sure if there was gas or if I was just smelling it on my hand.

I did manage to get it started on a bit of starting fluid. I went back to start it an hour or so later hoping it just fixed itself like magic, no such luck. I might check the FPR again before I leave for work tomorrow.

 

[Witty]

Started my truck again today, still using starting fluid. Had the fuel pressure gauge attached. Before starting it was still at 40 psi, and while idling it was holding at 32 psi. Checked the fuel pressure regulator and it's fine.

My coworker that I bought the truck off of says he talked to someone and they think its the fuel reservoir between the pumps. He said the fuel is just going back in the return line. At first I thought it would be possible, but the truck will continue to run after the starting fluid burns off.

 

[Mark_88]

Ah, thanks for the update.

Your fuel pressure is good at idle and before starting so the system is retaining pressure and it would appear to be keeping the pressure up. 32 psi is a bit low from what I've read but could be fine at idle...so I guess if the truck idles fine that you would have tested it on the road...if you did where there problems during the road test???

It might be worth your while to remove and inspect the EGR valve...if it sticks open the truck may not start...it would be OK after it warms up but the valve should open and close freely...could be a vacuum line issue...check that the line to the EGR is not broken or rotting...it is an old truck so things are going to be needing replacing unless it was cared for and someone sprayed the lines with silicone or similar lube...