OBD on '86 2.3L Ranger? Stalls and quits...

[Woodtroll]

Hello, folks!

I am having trouble with my '86 Ranger with the 2.3L multi-port EFI. Several weeks ago, I started noticing a "hitch" at highway speed, then it stumbled on me a time or two; sometimes it would stumble and then backfire, which makes me think it is getting fuel but losing fire. I replaced the TFI ignition module, since that has given me problems before. The problem got a little more frequent, so I replaced the fuel filter and dropped the tank, looking for water, then in the process cracked the rusty fuel discharge tubing, so had to put a new fuel pump/ sending unit in it.

Today I was looking for wiring harness shorts, etc., started the truck and let it run, turned my back on it, and it just quit. Crank, crank, crank, would not start. I pushed the fuel rail Schraeder valve to see if it had fuel, and just a very brief spurt (less than 1/2 second) came out. Pulled #1 ignition wire and put an old plug on it, jumped the starter solenoid, and it fired right up on three cylinders!

Shut it down and restarted it several times without a hitch. Now I am stumped...

There are connections on the passenger side fender that look as if they may be diagnostic hook-ups- are they?

Any ideas about what could be causing my problem? I could still have a bad high-pressure fuel pump, or maybe the stator assembly could be bad? I put a fuel gauge on the rail, and it ran about 35-40 lbs. the whole time, but it never gave problems while the gauge was attached.

Any input would be very much appreciated! Take care,
Regan

 

[Woodtroll]

Okay, with some more searching on the computer, I found the diagnostic ports, and called a friend with a reader. I got these two codes:

052 PSPS CKT OPEN
018 Tachometer input to PCM signal loss- spout ckt grd

I assume the first is "power steering pressure sensor"? This circuit had been cut before I got the truck 18 years ago, and has never caused a problem.

I assume the spout circuit is the same wire that you pull the plug on to set the timing, but it seems to indicate a ground problem- could that be a stator/ pickup issue, or would it definitely be wiring?

Thanks,
Regan