1988 Ranger Dies Out
 

Hello,I have recently acquired this problem with my truck. My truck has been running rough since I got it. I've changed the plugs,cap,rotor, and I also put a cold air intake on it. I have started to think it was the fuel filter because it was starving for gas. So I replaced that and it still ran rough. Then all of a sudden I was at mcdonalds and it just straight fell on its face. So did the fuel filter and ran some Lucas fuel injection cleaner through it and still nothing. Today I was driving from work and was on the highway and all of a sudden it just shut off,I tried to give it more gas while going to a halt and it didn't do anything. So I tried to fire it up and it just did nothing so I waited it out(just like at mcdonalds) and about ten to fifteen minutes later it started up and ran perfectly fine home(with its normal running rough at lights) I don't know what to do and I'd hate to get stranded out somewhere and not be able to get it home.

Two things come to mind.

First is the TFI module, these are known to fail when warm, let them cool off a bit and they work again.

Second is the Fuel Pump Relay, computer operates this relay.
On an '88 it will on passenger side of engine bay on inner fender.
Find Starter Relay then move back towards the cab it will be the first relay box you come to, often has a Green Base that the relay plugs into.
Relay contacts or coil can fail, turning key off then on again can get it to reconnect.

But TFI module would be my best guess, fits better with the cool down time.
You can test your module, problem is it will test OK cold.
testing here: Ford EEC-IV/TFI-IV Electronic Engine Control Troubleshooting

Read about a fellow that carried an ice chest around with ice in it, when engine quit running he got out the ice, held it against the TFI module for a minute or two, then engine would restart, lol.
That's how he tested it

RonD:thanks ill try that tomorrow and check it. I'm also going to check the fuel pressure because of the shuddering