need help - 1986 ford ranger 2.3 - cranks no start

[smccaffrey]

Hi All,
Hoping to get some help, here is the issue. First off, truck will start and run for a few seconds using starter fluid. I have replaced the pump in tank, inline pump, and the filer in the fuel reservoir. Fuel pump relay not working so I twisted the inertia switch wires together to bypass and ran both pumps using power to the orange/blue wire that connects to the fuel pump relay. With the pumps running, tried to start the truck, cranks but no start. I turned off the pumps and depressed the schrader valve on the fuel rail and fuel spews out.
Any ideas would be greatly appreciated.

 

[tomw]

If you have a TFI - Thick Film Ignition - module on the side of the distributor, it can fail in the RUN mode, but work when in the START mode, which fits the starts and runs for a few seconds.
The computer should turn on the fuel pump for a few seconds when you first turn the key to ON. Listen for the pump whine and if you hear it, the pumps are likely running. Pressure from the schrader valve indicates they are...
I would pull a spark plug wire and stuff a spare plug in, ground the metal part of the plug, and crank the engine over. You should see spark. You can use the coil wire to the center of the distributor cap, pulling the wire off the cap terminal, for the same test. You should get a lot of sparks. If not, either coil or TFI may be failed.
tom