86 Ranger Fuel System Problems

[Doc_Ratchet]

I just got an 86 Ranger 2.3 injected and the thing runs 1/2 the time rough and half the time smooth. Usually the rough is part time going down the road. When I'm trying to accellerate it'll act like it wants to stall out. If I back off the accellerator a bit, it'll smoth back out for a few, then get choppy, then go smooth again as if it's not getting enough gas. It sat for about 2 years before I picked it up, and was more or less a shop/garbage truck for about two years before that. I've reset the fuel pump shut off switch/relay, put in a new fuel filter, checked the fuel line, and dumped a couple bottles of fuel injector cleaner in it. I'm tempted to drain the tank and see if there's a bunch of water in it because of how long it sat barely doing anything. Anyone else got any ideas?

[andrewr164]

It might be the throttle position senser sending wrong code to the cpu. which could make the engine put too much or too little gas into the engine. hope it helps. Andrew

[andrewr164]

Originally Posted by andrewr164

It might be the throttle position senser sending wrong code to the cpu. which could make the engine put too much or too little gas into the engine. hope it helps. Andrew

U can check it by unpluging the senser and the truck should run fine but the check engine light will come on, and to reset the engine light you have ti unplug the battery for 5 minutes.

[rdavid8221]

Originally Posted by andrewr164

U can check it by unpluging the senser and the truck should run fine but the check engine light will come on, and to reset the engine light you have ti unplug the battery for 5 minutes.

I know that on the 1986 Ranger 2.9 there are two fuel filters. Their is one that everybody can see up front by the tire, and one on the framerail in the middle of the truck on the same side. It is realy hard to see and get too. I don't know if the 2.3 might have the same setup. It took me two years to figure this out. By the way; all Ford dealerships had know idea. So you can see that I was pissed for along time. Once I changed that filter I had the lost performance back again. I hope this helps...

[Doc_Ratchet]

Originally Posted by andrewr164

U can check it by unpluging the senser and the truck should run fine but the check engine light will come on, and to reset the engine light you have ti unplug the battery for 5 minutes.

Most everyone I've talked to says it sounds like a TPS so I just picked up a new one. Once I get it in and going I'll stop back in & post an update as to whether or not it worked. One person also recommended changing the O2 sensor as well, but it seemed more like a precautionary measure for "later on down the road," so I'm going to wait on that for now. Wish me luck...

[Doc_Ratchet]

Originally Posted by rdavid8221

I know that on the 1986 Ranger 2.9 there are two fuel filters. Their is one that everybody can see up front by the tire, and one on the framerail in the middle of the truck on the same side. It is realy hard to see and get too. I don't know if the 2.3 might have the same setup. It took me two years to figure this out. By the way; all Ford dealerships had know idea. So you can see that I was pissed for along time. Once I changed that filter I had the lost performance back again. I hope this helps...

Sounds almost like an after-market addition. I was kinda thinking that on this one because the fram filter guide recommends an in-line filter for mine, but when we got underneath it had the circular canister type. Wierd. Wish I'd gone for another Chevy instead of this pain-in-my-arse Ranger.
"FORD spelled backwards means "Driver Returns On Foot!"

[Psychopete]

Originally Posted by Doc_Ratchet

Wierd. Wish I'd gone for another Chevy instead of this pain-in-my-arse Ranger.

Yea, go get an 1986 S10 and come back and tell me that again.

Instead of replacing random parts and hoping that will fix the problem, why not test the computer for trouble codes and test the fuel pressure? You'll be able to pin point what the issue is this way. Fuel filters are a pain, I wouldn't even think about changing them until I tested the fuel pressure. I remember reading that in some cases the 1986-1987 ECC won't turn on the check engine light if it sees certain fault codes.

Pete

[rdavid8221]

Originally Posted by Doc_Ratchet

Sounds almost like an after-market addition. I was kinda thinking that on this one because the fram filter guide recommends an in-line filter for mine, but when we got underneath it had the circular canister type. Wierd. Wish I'd gone for another Chevy instead of this pain-in-my-arse Ranger.
"FORD spelled backwards means "Driver Returns On Foot!"

This is no aftermarket addition. I bought my 1986 Ranger (NEW). I don't own it now, but I know alot about it since I was really into my own maintenance back then. I don't know if the 2.3 has the same setup, but I would check. Yes; The filter that is easily accesibale is a canister type. Just follow your fuel line very carefully and you may be very surprises what is lurking behind all of the wiring harneses inside that frame rail. And I do mean "INSIDE", way inside. OK, I hope I made my point. I'm just curios if the 2.3 has the same setup. Good Luck........

[Doc_Ratchet]

Originally Posted by rdavid8221

This is no aftermarket addition. I bought my 1986 Ranger (NEW). I don't own it now, but I know alot about it since I was really into my own maintenance back then. I don't know if the 2.3 has the same setup, but I would check. Yes; The filter that is easily accesibale is a canister type. Just follow your fuel line very carefully and you may be very surprises what is lurking behind all of the wiring harneses inside that frame rail. And I do mean "INSIDE", way inside. OK, I hope I made my point. I'm just curios if the 2.3 has the same setup. Good Luck........

Well, what I thought was a second fuel filter turned out to be the high pressure fuel pump. I did however manage to find and fix the problem with mine. All this time, it was that the MECHANIC who owned this thing before me just tossed in a fuel filter (Cartridge Type) without checking to see if it was the right one. When I finally tracked down the right filter (Autozone was the only place on my list that listed a cartridge type filter for this truck as opposed to an in-line filter) the new one was about a quarter inch taller and bigger in diameter, and the bonehead left the o-ring out. (So, PsychoPete, I'll admit this one was human stupidity not Ford stupidity!) But in tracking the fuel line from the tank to the injector, I never did find another filter. Bit confused as to why all the filter books as well as the chilton manual talk about and recommend an inline filter but Autozone says inline OR cartridge. But now that I have it running right, I think I may start to enjoy this truck!

[rdavid8221]

I'm glad you were able to track down that problem. I guess the 2.9 litre has a different setup. Enjoy your truck!!!!!!!!!!

[Psychopete]

Originally Posted by Doc_Ratchet

(So, PsychoPete, I'll admit this one was human stupidity not Ford stupidity!)

I wouldn't exactly say that, it's not natural for something to have 2 fuel pumps like that.

Originally Posted by Doc_Ratchet

But now that I have it running right, I think I may start to enjoy this truck!

Oh, and you will. So much for that Chevy huh? I don't really have anything against GM, not like the issues I have with Dodge.

Pete

[Doc_Ratchet]

Originally Posted by Psychopete

I wouldn't exactly say that, it's not natural for something to have 2 fuel pumps like that.

The first one is the low pressure pump in the tank, which pushes the gas to the second pump via the cartridge filter. The second is the electric high pressure pump in the frame rail. The Chilton manual I bought for it does list that, which still doesn't explain why it doesn't mention the cartridge filter. It does however have two fuel lines, one main and one return, which I've never seen on anything older than 1992, but the book also talks about it. Guess even repair manuals don't have it all figured out.

Originally Posted by Psychopepe

Oh, and you will. So much for that Chevy huh? I don't really have anything against GM, not like the issues I have with Dodge.

Pete

Well, I'll always prefer GM, but as you, I have major dislike for Mopar. Bout the only dodge newer than the mid-60's I'd ever think about is about a 95 king cab, but ONLY if it has the Cummins Turbo Deisel. Friends don't let friends drive Dodge! lol My old man's a life long mechanic (who unfortunately lives about 1200 miles from here) and Chevy-lover, yet he still says any vehicle will last as long as you take proper care of them, so it's just a case of finding a model you like. And since I prefer a pick up over any car, I think I'll play this Ranger silly. Before, during and after pics coming soon.