Need help with a 2000 ford ranger

[2000ranger17]

today i was sitting at a red light and when i went to get on the gas the truck quit. i turned the key and it turns over but doesnt want to start. the radio, lights and everything else works so it's not the battery. Checked the timing belt and it looks good. my buddy seems to think its a fuel pickup problem. anybody have any ideas? Thanks.

 

[Ranger44]

Time to diagnose!

Check for fuel at the rail, and fuel pressure. If none, then check the fuse, relay, wiring, and then the pump itself. (also make sure you have fuel)

It can also be ignition. Check for spark. I'd do it cheap and dirty. (unless you have a spark tester). Take each plug out, stick it back on the plug wire, and see if it sparks. If it's a nice blue/white spark, then it's good to go. If NO spark.....then I'd suspect the coil or CPS(no signal, no sparky).

Another good thing to check is the EEC power relay.

 

[2000ranger17]

just filled it up last night lol but i usually let it get a pretty low tank before i put more in would that cause any problems. its never run out (knock on wood) but its been close

 

[LittleBigFoot]

Turn the key to ACC and listen for the pump to prime.

I've blown the fuel pump fuse in my OO. Not too uncommon I suppose.

Check the fuse, check the relay in the underhood box, (horn relay and fuel pump relay should be interchangeable)

Check all your connections.

Check the pump itself.


$155ish bucks from most auto parts stores if it's the pump. I know this all too well.

 

[2000ranger17]

pump doesnt kick on and both the fuse and the relay are good. no fuel pressure. so i think it is narrowed down to the pump. thanks guys.

 

[snake]

Seems like you have all forgotten about the inertia switch... check that sucker before you buy a pump!!

 

[erocka1982]

yup i was gonna say the same thing. my 04 has randomly quit twice and both times it was the inertia switch(under the dash,pass side,behind the carpet). both times it happened, my really tall buddy was with me. i dunno maybe he bumped it with his foot or something.

 

[JohnnyO]

Seems like you have all forgotten about the inertia switch... check that sucker before you buy a pump!!

Yup, sometimes they crap out on their own or if they get kicked. My son did that twice in my old Sport Trac with his size 13's, once when I was going 70 mph on the Interstate.

 

[2000ranger17]

Seems like you have all forgotten about the inertia switch... check that sucker before you buy a pump!!

That's exactly what the problem was haha. After we dropped the tank we remembered all about the switch. pushed it down put the tank back in and it was good to go. just not sure what would have shut it off. any ideas?