86 Ranger problems "need help"

[nova801428]

I recently bought a 1986 Ford Ranger with a 2.9L fuel injection, Manual transmission with 155,000 miles. I bought it for $300 and it didn't run, but the guy said when he was going down the road the truck all of a sudden died. He then later tries ro start it then it starts and dies. So, now in my possession I tested the fuel pumps from the realy switch and they both work. I tested to see if power was getting from the battery to the relay switch and there was. So, I replaced the relay switch and it still doesn't work. When I turn the key both (2) of the fuel pumps don't come on. I need help? What is the problem? I have a Haynes maual? could it be the connector to the relay switch? Or the relay I replaced?

 

[Brian_B]

fuel inertia switch gone out? It happens. I am not positive on an 86, but on the 2nd gen (89-92) they were under the carpet on the passenger side fire wall near the transmission hump.

for testing only! Remove the two wires and jump across them with a short piece of wire. Try to start it. If it starts, the switch is bad. Replace the switch ASAP.


For testing only!: Do not drive it this way, since in an accident the pumps will keep running and could burn you and your family to death!

 

[nova801428]

I tried to that with a copper peice of wire and it did not fire, I also tried to see if any power was coming from it and there wasn't, but I can use power to jump the fuel pumps

 

[Brian_B]

You do not have power coming out of the inertia switch (should be around 6-7 volts). Do you have power going in from the relay itself?


I think...the circuit goes....relay..wire..inertia switch..wire..pumps. Somewhere up the line there has to be power.

You checked from the relay to the pump and it worked (direct hookup?). It has to be down the circuit somewhere. Unplug and inspect every wire connection you can find along the circuit. Clean and use dialetic grease if they are dry. That sometimes solves gremlins.



Relay check: Obviously look at the relay and where it plugs in for loose or corroded connections, but you might try swapping the new relay with another one from the box known to work. I believe they all have the same plugs, but are used for different things (color coded). It would just be to test the new relay anyway.

I hope some of this actually helps. Electrical gremlins are sometimes hard to find.

 

[410Fortune]

the fuel pump also has a connection from the main wiring hraness to the truck harness just below the brake booster. Its a balck with pink wire, check this connection as well.

Also the EEC must tell the trelay to turn the pump(s) on so you need to check for 12v+ at the relay when you turn the key.

 

[nova801428]

Why would I need to check this connection if I can send power to the pumps from the relay switch and they work?