Help

[Luv2ridexl]

I sure do need some help with my 2000 Ford ranger 4 cylinder...it left me stranded ... suddenly started spitting sputtering stalling then stopped moving forward.. yes I had gas but we got a gas can and put more in it and it actually got me halfway across town .. I stopped at the dollar store and it started acting up again and sat there for two days... Changed the fuel filter in the parking lot but didn't fix a thing...I have been driving it for a long time with the code 1401.. sorry I'm a poor chick... yesterday showed code 1124 but tested TPS sensor with multimeter and showed that it is good..... code 1124 went away... .. now we're back to the only code is 1401 my truck is still broke down and nothing has changed I don't know what else to do. Motor turns over sometimes but it doesn't stay running choking and spitting in will not move

 

[SenorNoob]

You changed the filter but have you checked pressure? Also what about air? Spark?

Sounds kinda like what happens when the fuel pump isn't running. When it does run, how long?

 

[MaicoDoug]

Will running out of gas cause an error code? Or a fuel pump failing? Had a intermittent fuel pump relay that caused no codes.

 

[rusty ol ranger]

First thing id do is snort some starting fluid into the intake...

Does it start?
Yes? Fuel
No? Spark.

Code 1401 relates to the DPFE sensor....doubt thats your issue.

Honestly you need to check the fuel pressure. You either got a failed relay or pump....i dont know on the newer ones is there a fuse for the pump?

 

[lil_Blue_Ford]

Yup, time to stop worrying about codes and do some old-fashioned diagnostics. You need air, fuel, compression and spark to have success. Sounds like you’re most likely losing fuel or spark. I’d still check the air filter if you haven’t, I’ve had mice build a home in the air box and choke a motor like that. Only takes a day or two for them to do that too.

My green 00 Ranger had a hot start problem when I got it. I chased my tail for a bit because I wasn’t getting any useful codes. It would usually start fine when it had been sitting, sometimes it was a little hard starting. If it was hot, like drive to the store, run in for a couple things and come back out, it wouldn’t start. Finally put a fuel pressure tester on the rail and found the pump was weak. Really weak. Easiest way to do a pump is to unbolt the bed and shift it back far enough to get in there and get it done.

 

[Luv2ridexl]

You changed the filter but have you checked pressure? Also what about air? Spark?

Sounds kinda like what happens when the fuel pump isn't running. When it does run, how long?

Yup, time to stop worrying about codes and do some old-fashioned diagnostics. You need air, fuel, compression and spark to have success. Sounds like you’re most likely losing fuel or spark. I’d still check the air filter if you haven’t, I’ve had mice build a home in the air box and choke a motor like that. Only takes a day or two for them to do that too.

My green 00 Ranger had a hot start problem when I got it. I chased my tail for a bit because I wasn’t getting any useful codes. It would usually start fine when it had been sitting, sometimes it was a little hard starting. If it was hot, like drive to the store, run in for a couple things and come back out, it wouldn’t start. Finally put a fuel pressure tester on the rail and found the pump was weak. Really weak. Easiest way to do a pump is to unbolt the bed and shift it back far enough to get in there and get it done.

Thank you for your help so I have a guy friend helping me he found a fuel pressure gauge then realized it wouldn't fit? He knows about as much as I do I'm afraid but I Google video and he has a code reader. But I do hear the fuel pump come on but didn't realize I had to worry about it being weak and also thought there would be a code for that and spark plugs yes I checked the air filter LOL... I will try to find a pressure gauge today. Thank you very much for your help

 

[Luv2ridexl]

You changed the filter but have you checked pressure? Also what about air? Spark?

Sounds kinda like what happens when the fuel pump isn't running. When it does run, how long?

I have a friend helping me and he had a fuel pressure gauge but realized that it wouldn't fit? But he does have a code reader so I'm waiting for codes I see now that was a mistake but I do hear the fuel pump come on I'm going to try to find a fuel pressure gauge today and check thank you for your help

 

[lil_Blue_Ford]

I know Autozone used to loan a fuel pressure tester kit. Just screws onto the schrader valve on the fuel rail. Cycle the key and get the pump to kick on and see what you get, should be something like 60 psi. Then try starting it and see where it sits at while it’s running. When my pump was weak I was getting something like 25 psi not running and like 18 psi running. That told me the pump was shot.

 

[Luv2ridexl]

First thing id do is snort some starting fluid into the intake...

Does it start?
Yes? Fuel
No? Spark.

Code 1401 relates to the DPFE sensor....doubt thats your issue.

Honestly you need to check the fuel pressure. You either got a failed relay or pump....i dont know on the newer ones is there a fuse for the pump?

Thank you for your help I will do the starter fluid thing and check the pump relay and not sure about the fuse but we'll look into it... I hear the pump coming on and my friend has a code reader so I'm just waiting for codes I see now that was wrong and I'm looking for a fuel pressure change now thanks again

 

[Luv2ridexl]

I know Autozone used to loan a fuel pressure tester kit. Just screws onto the schrader valve on the fuel rail. Cycle the key and get the pump to kick on and see what you get, should be something like 60 psi. Then try starting it and see where it sits at while it’s running. When my pump was weak I was getting something like 25 psi not running and like 18 psi running. That told me the pump was shot.

Thanks I will look into that today

 

[lil_Blue_Ford]

The Rangers from 96-2011 had pretty limited capability of telling you what’s wrong just by reading codes or even with being able to view data. They just didn’t have a lot of sensors and stuff. Makes it a little harder to diagnose sometimes but it also can keep you from pondering whether a part is bad or the wiring/sensor/computer is messing up.

If you have good fuel pressure, the next check would be to find out if the injectors are working. That’s also not a particularly difficult process