1994 Ranger will not start (List of what I have done so far incl)

[NoPlan]

Hello Everyone!

I have a 1994 Ford Ranger, I believe it is the 4.0L V6. But I am not 100% sure.

It cranks the engine with good battery charge but will not fire.

I have checked the following thus far:

We checked the fuses, the ECC fuse inline was 40A instead of 30A.
- ACTION: Replaced with 30A

All other fuses are ok, there was one small one that was 20A instead of 15A
- ACTION: Replaced with 15A

We get good spark from all six sparkplugs.
- ACTION: N/A

When we removed the spark plugs they were black and smelled of gas.
- ACTION: Wire brushed them clean and reinstalled.

We checked all the grounds we could find
- ACTION: Removed grounds, wire brushed touch points, reinstalled

We found a vacuum hose disconnected (we believe it is a vacuum hose?)
- ACTION: Reconnected with zip ties with original hose, tighter connection but still not optimal. It is located on the driver side right on the wheel well (front side) (Here is picture of repair job, that inline filter or whatever is same one originally found)
https://drive.google.com/file/d/0B-bq3ZIwuJW7UU5aTjdvSkNrRXM

We found a disconnected yellow wire that when following goes into the wiring harness on top of the fuel tank, we wrapped the wire to see if this was our problem truck doe snot start with it disconnected or connected. (Picture of quire in question from engine side)
https://drive.google.com/file/d/0B-bq3ZIwuJW7ZGdvd1Jhay1aaEE

We found that the black connector on top of the fuel tank had fallen off and was hanging from the bottom of the truck. We cleaned contacts with cloth and a wire brush, reconnected this connector (although it doesn't stay perfectly) truck does not start with it connected or disconnected. (Picture to show black connector in the proper position after finding it disconnected)
https://drive.google.com/file/d/0B-bq3ZIwuJW7b2haSWd6TXc5YTQ

The Solenoid on driver side wheel well (front) clicks when the ignition is engaged (before fully starting) so we believe it is working ok.
- ACTION: N/A

We are unsure how to test the ECC to see if it is dead, we also do not know exactly where it is? We have searched online and we are confused if it is the round plastic part with all the wires with one bolt in the middle, or if it is the long rectangular part with two bolts right up against the wheel well (front) so we have not tested the ECC as of yet.

We are kind of at a loss, does anyone have some guru advice on where we should go next?

Have an epic weekend!

 

[yostyexplorer94]

I never heard of wire brushing spark plugs and it doesn't sound like a great idea at all. As cheap as plugs are, I would rather buy new.

Do you hear the fuel pump in the tank running when the key is turned on?

If you don't hear the pump running for a few seconds when you turn the key to the on position, then I would check the inertia switch and the fuel pump relay or possibly the fuel pump itself.

I doubt it is your ecu. What was the truck doing when it quit running?

 

[NoPlan]

We did not try to listen to the fuel pump as the spark plugs smelled strongly of gas, but I will test that tonight when I get back home from work. To listen to the fuel pump just so I know we move the box back and listen to the top of the gas tank for the sound eh?

As for the inertia switch we checked that, I forgot to mention that one thank you for the reminder, sorry about leaving that out. The red button is still set at default and will not press down.

How do you know if a relay has gone bad in the fuse box? or do you just switch it and hope for the best?

Thanks for the assistance.

 

[NoPlan]

Hey guys: I have an update.

Got home from work and went to my 2011 Ranger and flipped the switch, and I could hear the fuel pump from the back of the truck from inside the cab. Now armed with what I should be listening to I went to the 1994 ranger and it is dead silent.

Fuel pump makes no sound at all. So that is one problem!

Second issue, the solenoid on the driver side fender doesn't make a sound. I mistaken the sound of the relay in the fuse box for the solenoid, when I removed the relay everything is dead silent, when I put the relay back in it is the relay that clicks not the solenoid.

But the solenoid is getting 12V of continuous power, so does that mean that I need to replace solenoid and fuel pump ya reckon?

Thanks for help guys!

 

[RangerX]

You should be able to hear the fuel pump prime, i can hear it in my 94 when the key is turned to 'On' position.
Is your truck by chance a manual transmission?

 

[yostyexplorer94]

Switch the fuel pump relay out with a less important relay like abs, air conditioning, or blower motor relay and see if that does anything.

Are you sure the solenoid you are talking about isn't on the passenger side? The one on the passenger side is the starter solenoid and you said the engine cranks but the truck don't start. If that is the case where the engine cranks then that starter solenoid is working and has nothing to do with the no start condition.

 

[RangerX]

.

Are you sure the solenoid you are talking about isn't on the passenger side? The one on the passenger side is the starter solenoid and you said the engine cranks but the truck don't start. If that is the case where the engine cranks then that starter solenoid is working and has nothing to do with the no start condition.

Some things under the hood of Rangers are on the opposite side as compared to a 1st gen Explorer, like the battery, ww fluid tank, and, at least on mine, the starter solenoid. Mine's on the driver side also.

 

[yostyexplorer94]

Some things under the hood of Rangers are on the opposite side as compared to a 1st gen Explorer, like the battery, ww fluid tank, and, at least on mine, the starter solenoid. Mine's on the driver side also.

Yeah i wasn't thinking 94 in a ranger isn't the square body style. Good call!

 

[NoPlan]

Hey guys:

It is pouring rain but hopefully tonight I will be able to get over to the wreckers and see if I can find a fuel pump to test that out!

As for the other topics, it is good to know the solenoid is working as intended, one less issue to worry about.

W.R.T the fuel relay, I took out the relay for the EEC (as it clicks whenever I flip the key) and replaced it with the fuel relay and it clicked, so I reckon that should mean it works ok eh?

 

[NoPlan]

UPDATE:

We were able to snag a new fuel filler hose and the fuel pump from the wreckers, thanks to your guys awesome advice all in all the repairs costed us 56 bucks and a weekend of elbow grease.

not to shabby!!! Thanks so much for your assistance!

 

[RangerX]

Good to hear! So is it all up and running?

 

[NoPlan]

Wouldn't say "ALL" up and running hehe, but the engine starts and she drives fine!

Some other issues is a majorly rusted exhaust, and the dome light and rear cab red lights stay on constantly weather the door is open or not, which with research on this epic forum lets me know I need to check the passenger door switch.

Almost there tho! at least it runs Thanks to everyone here.