88 ranger problems

[tmtreson]

I am having an intermitant problem. My truck will work great for days then out of the blue will quit and not restart. The engine will turn over but not run, if I let it sit overnight then it will run fine again for a few days. It never seems to break down in front of someone who could help. My brother thinks I'm nuts.

what's wrong with my truck?????

Teresa

[Psychopete]

Originally Posted by tmtreson

I am having an intermitant problem. My truck will work great for days then out of the blue will quit and not restart. The engine will turn over but not run, if I let it sit overnight then it will run fine again for a few days. It never seems to break down in front of someone who could help. My brother thinks I'm nuts.

what's wrong with my truck?????

Teresa

You'll need to diagnose what is missing for the engine to run when it dies, or else you may find yourself running in circles. Check for fuel, check for spark. Maybe keep a can of something flammable handy so you can spray it into the intake. If it starts again, but only runs for a few seconds, fuel delivery is certainly the problem.

What engine is it?

Pete

[tmtreson]

it is a fuel injection 6 cyl. I tried replacing the fuel pump relay, when I pulled the old one off, the connections looked "scummy". I cleaned them up and put on the new one, no help. The idle is running very low, it will run for 5 ot 10 minutes then die.

What do you think?

Teresa

[Psychopete]

Originally Posted by tmtreson

What do you think?

Teresa

Usually the first place I always start is by scanning for fault codes.
http://www.troublecodes.net/Ford/ Once you've done this once, you'll laugh how much a place would charge someone to do this.

It could very well be the TFI module. These are known for trouble, they quit working they get too hot. You should be able to get it tested at an auto parts store.

But this is why I had suggested that you check for spark and fuel when it's not running. No spark would lead me to the TFI module or the pickup in the distributor. No fuel, well.. no fuel. The ECC rely could also be at fault, you'll need to figure out what's missing in order to find out what's wrong. Without knowing what the actual problem is, you're going to end up wasting money replacing good parts.

The ECC relay is triggered when the ignition is on 'Run'. From there, it powers the ECC, various sensors, injectors, and gives power to the fuel pump relay.

If it dies again, you can put the truck on 'Run' and listen for the fuel pumps. You should hear it for 1-2 seconds twice. If they don't, test the ECC relay to make sure it's functioning properly.

At this point, I am not really sure. There's just not enough data to determine what the problem could be..

Pete

[notam3chanic]

Originally Posted by tmtreson

I am having an intermitant problem. My truck will work great for days then out of the blue will quit and not restart. The engine will turn over but not run, if I let it sit overnight then it will run fine again for a few days. It never seems to break down in front of someone who could help. My brother thinks I'm nuts.

what's wrong with my truck?????

Teresa

I don't know if you are still having this problem or not but one thing to also check out for a problem with symptoms like this is the often overlooked fuel cutoff inertia switch on the fords. On the ranger, if I remember correctly, should be under the dash above the hump. This is a safety device that is installed in case of a rollover, it cuts off fuel flow from the tank. If it is faulty it will result in the very symptoms that you are describing. Good luck!

[spook1094]

Originally Posted by tmtreson

I am having an intermitant problem. My truck will work great for days then out of the blue will quit and not restart. The engine will turn over but not run, if I let it sit overnight then it will run fine again for a few days. It never seems to break down in front of someone who could help. My brother thinks I'm nuts.

what's wrong with my truck?????

Teresa

After you go get the codes checked, at your local parts house!

My first stop would be fuel injector cleaner. Second would be TFI module, the ($5 special tool is quickest fix ), codes are 11 & 18. Third stop, O2 sensor( that sucker can be hard to turn, I used a 1/2 drive socket with a hinged ratchet after cutting off the wires and was very careful not to smash my knuckles).* Check the wires to see if they have been shorted out aganist the exhaust pipe. The MAP sensor is easy, expensive but easy. After these the field opens to many other directions. Keep me posted an I will try to simulate and see what we ca coem up with.