Odd stall/no start issue

[phurst]

I have a new to me 87 Ranger. I just picked it up a few weeks ago. I gave it a basic tune up, addressed a few issues, etc. I've driven it a few times and never had any problems. Today, I hauled some stuff to the dump. Everything was fine on the way there. I unloaded my trash, and it started up just fine. I sat there for a few minutes answering a text. When I was ready to go, I pushed in the clutch, and when I moved the shifter into first, the truck stalled. I have noticed before that it will bog somewhat when I put the shifter into first. Not when I push in the clutch, or when I let out the clutch, but when I physically move the shifter into first. Anyway, after it stalled, I could not get it restarted. I would wait a few minutes, try again, fiddle under the hood, try again, etc, all with no change. I made sure all the plug wires were snug, I made sure every electrical connector and vac line I could find were secure. I made sure there was pressurized gas in the fuel rail, I tried starting with various sensors unplugged. Eventually, it started right back up like nothing had happened, and ran fine all the way home. Once home, I tried to get it to stall, and cut it off and on several times, all with no problems at all. Any ideas? Things to check? I'd like to avoid getting stranded again.

 

[black_demon69]

clutch slave and or master cylinders, low fluid level, bad clutch.... also check fluid level in trans

 

[swynx]

Start carrying starter fluid with you so you can eliminate a no fuel issue. Also disconnect the battery next time it happens (after trying starter fluid) this will reset the Ecu.

Last time I was in the mountains I hit a bump the battery bounced and the ground came undone. I could sit there and crank it all day but the fuel pump and various other things wouldn't work. So check those.

Also one time I didn't have the cables on our car battery (side post) screwed In tight enough. Car would start but once you tried to move it it would just turn off.

Sounds like the slave isn't fully engaging/disengaging. Did a clutch once and couldn't get it bled. Every time you would push the shifter towards the gear it would idle down and try to creep forward or backwards. If the slave ever does go out start it in gear and try to avoid every stop possible. Read up and practice shifting without rpms. Just rev it high between every shift and it will fall in once the rpms match. Drove 200 miles this way. Honestly its easier done that said.

 

[LIMA BEAN]

Push that pedal on the left all the way to the wood, then replace the nutral saftey switch when ya get time.

 

[phurst]

Thanjs for the suggestions. The clutch was done less than a year ago (PO left me a bunch of receipts), so I hope that's not the issue. It seems to shift fine, but I will double check the fluid levels and re bleed the slave.

Where is the neutral safety switch on these guys? That was my first thought when it would crank and not fire.

Besides checking for a pressurized fuel rail, there wasn't much else I could do on the fuel/spark/compression front without a helper. I'm going to try to reproduce the issue at home where I won't be too stressed about getting it started and moving again.

Oh, I did disconnect the battery, no change.

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[black_demon69]

Thanjs for the suggestions. The clutch was done less than a year ago (PO left me a bunch of receipts), so I hope that's not the issue. It seems to shift fine, but I will double check the fluid levels and re bleed the slave.

Where is the neutral safety switch on these guys? That was my first thought when it would crank and not fire.

Besides checking for a pressurized fuel rail, there wasn't much else I could do on the fuel/spark/compression front without a helper. I'm going to try to reproduce the issue at home where I won't be too stressed about getting it started and moving again.

Oh, I did disconnect the battery, no change.

Sent from my SCH-I545 using Tapatalk

neutral saftey switch just keeps starter from cranking engine over when clutch has not been pushed down even when trans in neutral.

switch is located on or around clutch pedal i believe..

 

[phurst]

Oh, the starter was cranking no problem, so I guess that's not it.

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[slamdstorm]

Did you find the cause? On the off chance you didn't I thought I would give you another trick to try. I have an 87 ranger doing something similar. If the engine stalls for any reason once warm the only way to get it to start again besides allowing it to sit is to release fuel pressure from the shcrader valve on fuel rail while turning engine over. Don't ask what made my cousin try it but it worked.
This is no small feat by yourself considering it is a manual transmission. I cut a 2x4 to wedge the clutch in, out of gear of course. I hook up a momentary push button switch with two alligator leads to the starter relay to turn it over while I press valve to get it to fire. Probably a fire waiting to happen but it got it home and around my place a time or two. Will have to try the starting fluid when I pick some up.
Ran into some other issues that need to be taken care of before I can continue troubleshooting. Blew off inlet line going to canister type fuel filter when I was underneath it looking for any signs. It was a shotty hair pin clip but made me think It's idling fuel pressure is 41lbs and it's only a problem when stalled not shut off. Not sure what the key off pressure should be but something very close I would expect since lines should remain pressurized to fire again. Never had my gauge when it happened but it seems to be an over pressure issue with mine which isn't common to look for so thought I'd pass it on.