Ranger stopped running

[fatt_owl2.9]

my 2.9 has had a slight miss for a while now, I figured I would changed the plugs and wires and see if that helped. But the other day the miss started becoming more pronounced. Eventually the engine started running really bad, like it was running on two cylinders or something, and would barely accelerate. Then it eventually just died. I was also on my last drop of gas, so I figured maybe I'd also run it out of gas.

I put some gas in it and it still wouldn't run. My dad had borrowed the can of gas from his mother-in-law and the next morning we noticed it had 'diesel fuel' written on the can. Whether or not it was diesel that we poured into my tank I'm not actually sure of, but I put six gallons of regular gas in the tank to hopefully dilute it, but the truck still won't run. Could this be a result of diesel in the lines, or do I likely have another ignition problem? Due to how badly the engine was running before it died, does this sound like a possible issue of a dead Ignition Control Module? I've replaced a lot of parts on my truck but this is one I haven't. I doubt it's the fuel pumps, because they've both been replaced in the last couple of months.

I know the Ignition Control Modules are a common failure item on these engines, could this be my problem? The engine cranks and cranks but won't run, so I'm thinking this has got to be an issue of no fuel or no spark. Thanks for any advice.

 

[kimcrwbr1]

put a spark plug in the wire from the coil and set it on a good ground then crank it you should get a nice blue even spark. If not test the coil and TFI module the tech library has a section on TFI diagnostics. As far as fuel the test port with the schrader valve (tire valve) push it in and see if you get deisel or gas out of it. Hook a fuel pressure guage on it and see how the fuel pressure is. Also check the vacuum line to the fuel pressure regulator and see if you smell fuel. Pull the plugs and see if you smell fuel. Do a good diagnostics before you start buying parts run a compression test and see if you have any dead cylinders. If you find diesel in the fuel rail you may need to pull the injectors to clear the fuel lines by cycleing the fuel pump and pumping into a can until you get gas. You need to get it running to diagnose the miss But do the compression test first off if you have a dead cylinder/s nothing else really matters.

 

[BlackBII]

Spray some starting fluid into the intake. Does it start for a second?? If not, you have an ignition problem.

 

[jhammel85]

I would doubt that it could be the Igniton control module since it hasn't started once it got cold. However, I had a miss at idle and low RPM for months and then my module wen bad...new one cured the misfire....

Here's what I would do..

Since you suspect the pumps, I would check for pressure at the fuel rails. Either by turning the key and priming the pumps after reliving the pressure or using a gauge (35-40PSI, key on, 30-35 running).

If thats OK, then it could be like BlackBII said.

Either way, I might drain that tank asap incase it has diesel in it..I don't know if you can dilute it or not.