Hello. I am trying to fix my 96 Ranger.

[usasoccerboy]

Thanks for the diagrams... I will study them and check all that I think could be wrong.

I put starting fluid in the throttle body and tried to start. I got more than before and it seemed like it almost started. Then the fluid was consumed and back to nothing...so, I think I am getting spark.

 

[usasoccerboy]

I almost caught my truck on fire later on when I got my girlfriend to try and start the engine and spray starting fluid in the throttle body while she tried to start it.

Next I am thinking fuel pump, fuel filter, or some other fuel issue. Doesn't seem to be getting to the spark.

 

[Mark_88]

Welcome to TRS~!

That starter fluid is pretty dangerous...as you have obviously discovered. Did it fire with the starter fluid? If so...then you may have a fuel issue...

Anyway, the problem only started after you changed out the heater core...but may or may not be related to that...these things can happen sporadically and frustrate the crap out of you...but it appears you have gained some pretty good troubleshooting and parts replacement experience from your Ranger.

If the truck did not fire with the starter fluid then you may need to check the spark like alwaysFloored suggested...your engine only needs three basic things to start...spark, fuel, and air...

It is cranking over so that is a good thing...if you have spark as suggested above then the next obvious ingredient is fuel...but the starter fluid showed that it is not a fuel issue (I think)...so I'd focus on the spark first...

 

[HAPPY+RANGER+GUY]

Welcome to TRS~!

Anyway, the problem only started after you changed out the heater core...but may or may not be related to that...these things can happen sporadically and frustrate the crap out of you...

I'm one of those people that like to connect the dots and yes it can sure be frustrating!! All you can do is be patient and start with the basics without making too many assumptions. Like many other things....It's a journey.

 

[Mark_88]

I'm one of those people that like to connect the dots and yes it can sure be frustrating!! All you can do is be patient and start with the basics without making too many assumptions. Like many other things....It's a journey.

Yes...and it can be like flying to China to have some tea if you go through the part swap tango...I remember my engine dying and I just happened to be right outside of a Canadian Tire store with a pocket full of money...I decided that it must be something to do with the spark/ignition so I went in and bought up every component related to that that was in stock...rang up about $250 and went out and started swapping parts...then I realized the timing belt had broken...and I had to have the truck towed home...but I managed to buy a timing belt with the last bit of extra money that I had...lol

 

[usasoccerboy]

Yes, the truck caught fire when I put too much fluid in the throttle body. It did not burn long and did no damage as immediately put it out.

So, I assume from that fire, I got spark. So I am thinking like you.

I believe it is a fuel issue and may not even be related to the heater core or head gasket replacement. So, I am doing the part swipe, starting with a Fuel filter and Relay switch. I could also change the inertia switch and this seems to be the only part logically connected to the heater core replacement, but the button is not able to be pressed down. If the fuel filter and relay does not solve the issue, I will take out the inertia switch and bypass it or replace it to see if that is the issue. After that, it may be a fuel pump. Hope something works, because my truck is dead.

 

[usasoccerboy]

So, I changed the fuel filter and I touched the relay switch for the fuel while turning the key and I could feel the switch when I turned the key so I know that the relay is working. I also bought another new inertia switch, and tested it with it, and nothing. I will be bringing the inertia switch back to get my $30 back.

I put starting fluid in and I get the truck to crank over, but it stalls as soon as the starting fluid runs out.

My thoughts now are a fuel pump and I do not know if I am capable of changing that out.

I am wondering when I pulled my dash board out, did I somehow damage a wire that would be sending the signal from the relay switch or inertia switch to the fuel pump. I am thinking about taking the entire dash apart and trying to set it all back in again.

 

[HAPPY+RANGER+GUY]

My thoughts now are a fuel pump and I do not know if I am capable of changing that out.

I am wondering when I pulled my dash board out, did I somehow damage a wire that would be sending the signal from the relay switch or inertia switch to the fuel pump. I am thinking about taking the entire dash apart and trying to set it all back in again.

I would think you ARE capable of changing the pump out.

I would simply test the pump and leave the dash as is for now, unless you have a good reason to remove it.

There is a good tutorial about changing the fuel pump...see here:
https://www.youtube.com/user/stuzman52/videos

You may need to skip up to video part 4 or 5 or so.


.

 

[Mahgongo]

When you turn the key to the "on" position do you hear the fuel pump spool up? My '01 had a very similar problem. A friend helped me pull the bed off (6 bolts) lift up walk it back and pump is readily available. About $250 from AutoZone for a new fuel pump and about 1 hour of work and 1 six pack later the truck fired and ran perfectly. Make sure to get new fuel line clips they are plastic and no matter how careful you are they WILL break.

Lance

 

[usasoccerboy]

My girlfriend did not hear a thing when I got her to put her head by the gas tank and I tried turning the key to the on position, so hopefully, I have my diagnosis complete and now need to lift the bed of the pickup truck up to change the fuel pump.

 

[HAPPY+RANGER+GUY]

look at the filler neck

Look at it this way too...With this age of truck, putting on a new fuel pump isn't a bad idea regardless. You may wish to toss a new filler neck hose on there too, many of them crack and start leaking fuel when the tank is fueled. I would certainly inspect it and either repair or replace it.

I will be going in there to repair my hose one of these days and I'll be tossing on a pump just for good measure if it doesn't give up before then.

Hopefully the new pump will fix you right up.
.

 

[usasoccerboy]

I replaced the fuel column about 2 years ago. It cost me several hundred dollars to get installed and put in. The mechanic told me that he had to order the part directly from the dealer and I thought he changed the fuel gauge as well as I had no way of telling if I was close to being out of gas or not. When he changed it, it still didn't work properly as it took a while for my gauge to read full on a full tank.

I thought the fuel gauge was the same thing as the fuel pump. Is it
? If so, I may have broken a wire from the dash, although why would the fuel line run through the dash of my truck?

 

[HAPPY+RANGER+GUY]

If you replace the entire assembly back there in the tank you'll replace the pump and the sender which provides the reading up front.

Some folks go in there and replace only the pump and sock but I say it's simpler to just replace the whole package.

Many people have made repairs of various kinds to the fuel filler hose without complete replacement. Some people will try and rape you $$$ for that hose replacement.

.

 

[usasoccerboy]

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GyBJ3qcIiTo&feature=youtu.be

I replaced the fuel pump and nothing. I am regretting fixing my own truck. I feel with all that I did that the problem should be fixed, but it just does not want to be fixed.

I plan next to go back and pull apart my engine to replace spark plugs and wires and coils which is how this all started before I changed the gaskets and core and fuel pumps. Going around in circles.

 

[usasoccerboy]

My brother and I were questioning whether the computer under the dash on the passenger side could be dead. Could I have somehow killed the computer when I took off the dash? I did not disconnect anything from it and have not touched it.