1993 ranger has issues

[dimwittcaddy]

1993 4L V6 2wd manual trans. it starts then dies 2-3 times before it will actually start and run hot or cold. giving it gas when tring to start has no effect. it does seem to run better when i disconect the air inlet from the throttle body like the tube is blocked but it isn't. i smell gas while driving but it's not from the exhaust pipe, when driving it acts like it's running out of gas. if i let up on the throttle and reapply it will run fine again for exactly 2 seconds then it's back to sputtering, i have a ses light on and off at no specific time but there are no codes. sometimes when running badly i hear a spark knock. replaced the fuel filter and pump, mass air flow sensor, tps, air filter, cleaned out the idle air control, the plugs and wires are less than a year old. a guy at work thinks the ecu is bad. I'm thinking O2 sensors or coolant temp sensor. any thoughts?
on a side note my fuel gauge reads between E and 1/4 tank even when full, i"ll take ideas on that too. fuel pump came with a new sending unit and still no change.

[DonSor]

Hmmmm. Looks like this thing is going to nickel/dime you to death. Try a Diagnostic Check. It may be worth the ninety bucks or so. That should pinpint the problem.

[toddler62]

Could your exhaust be partially blocked causing lots of back pressure or possibly a bad ground on the fuel pump. You've already tried every thing I would have thought to do These two suggestions are a shot in the dark but either one could possibly be the problem from your description good luck

[brivers]

Try spraying ether or carb cleaner around the intake gaskets, especially around the plenum, and see if the rpms change.