Question about my 88 Ranger not starting

[BigSpaghetti]

I have a truck that has been sitting outside of my house for about 6 months. I drove it a few months ago and it started fine. Now the engine is turning but it isn't firing, and the manual does not help at all and I'm just hoping to get a direction to research or even maybe a solution. It has gas.

 

[97RangerXLT]

what year? what engine? yank a plug wire and plug, stick the plug in the loose wire and place the spark end of the plug against a bare metal part of the engine and have someone crank the engine for about 2 seconds (be sure to not touch the metal, it will not feel good) is it sparking? if no, check the coil pack and wiring to it (or distributor if it is that old, and if it is that old, look into the TFI module)

while the fuel is probably pretty old, it should at least cough or try to fire... but if there is a full tank of it, you might want to pump some out and dilute with fresh gas

Welcome to The Ranger Station

 

[gaz]

BigSpaghetti,

Check for codes 1st.

Then, remove the battery, give it a full charge and inspect the battery cables.

 

[rusty ol ranger]

First thing id do is snort some starting fluid in the intake and see if it fires. If it starts its a fuel issue, if it dont its a spark issue.

After sitting for 6 months also check the air filter/housing/intake tube espicially if it was sitting outside. Rodents love to nest in there and if its plugged the engine cannot get air and therefore wont start.