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Can start engine only after pulling inertia switch, also, where does this ground go?
Hello all. I apologize in advance for not having codes. My code reader got stolen along with my old car (long story), and I want to reset tonight before going to the parts store tomorrow and getting codes pulled. Will update in that regard then.
So, my Ranger is my daily driver. 2000 3.0 FFV 4X4, 5spd. Fairly certain my clutch and flywheel are toast, so didn't need help with that. However, roughly a month after buying the truck, it stalled out on me. I'm not sure what made me inclined to do so, except thinking that maybe circulating new gas would help, but I pulled the inertia switch to drain it down, and rather than dying, it stayed running (albeit poorly), and upon me plugging it back in, it ran normally.
This problem has happened roughly every 3 weeks to a month, until today. 5 times today. 5 times, I turned the truck off somewhere, only to have it refuse to start unless I pulled the inertia switch. It doesn't make any sense to me, as pulling the inertia switch should NOT assist in cranking the vehicle, right?
Also, I am attaching a picture of what appears to be a ground. It's in the area of the transmission so I'm assuming it's a fairly important ground (arent they all?). Thanks in advance. Ben
If you unplug the inertia switch engine can not run at all because the fuel pump will have no power(12volts)
Your Picture is a Ground strap, so can be from engine to frame or firewall/cab
Battery Negative(the Ground) has a larger cable that runs to the engine, usually one of starter motor's hold down bolts
This cable grounds the starter motor and alternator, the larger AMP units, which is why the bigger cable
It also grounds transmission
Engine and transmission sit on rubber mounts, so there is no ground to the frame or body parts via this larger ground cable
So Ground straps/wires are used between engine/trans and the frame and body metal, also bed metal
Battery Negative terminal may also have 1 or 2 smaller wires, they go to Rad support and inner fender usually
You can NEVER have too many grounds, 1 too few, but NEVER too many
So "if in doubt ground it out", lol
On most Rangers there will be a ground strap from engines head to the cab firewall, that's the main ground for ALL the cab electrics, make sure its there, drivers side head if its a V6
If you unplug the inertia switch engine can not run at all because the fuel pump will have no power(12volts)
Your Picture is a Ground strap, so can be from engine to frame or firewall/cab
Battery Negative(the Ground) has a larger cable that runs to the engine, usually one of starter motor's hold down bolts
This cable grounds the starter motor and alternator, the larger AMP units, which is why the bigger cable
It also grounds transmission
Engine and transmission sit on rubber mounts, so there is no ground to the frame or body parts via this larger ground cable
So Ground straps/wires are used between engine/trans and the frame and body metal, also bed metal
Battery Negative terminal may also have 1 or 2 smaller wires, they go to Rad support and inner fender usually
You can NEVER have too many grounds, 1 too few, but NEVER too many
So "if in doubt ground it out", lol
On most Rangers there will be a ground strap from engines head to the cab firewall, that's the main ground for ALL the cab electrics, make sure its there, drivers side head if its a V6
No, I'm positive it is the intertia switch. It looks just like that, it's on the passenger side under the dash, basically near the wheel well. That's why I don't understand it! I promise you, it won't start, and I pull the inertia switch, and it starts. I'm positive of this.
Then someone has by passed the inertia switch, rewired the fuel pump system
You will need to look for the added wire(s)
[Fuel pump fuse(12v always)----fuel pump relay]-------------inertia switch---------------------------------------------fuel pump(in gas tank)
[........] = engine bay fuse box
Inertia switch is just 12v IN and 12v OUT, with a metal weight inside that will move if vehicle stops suddenly(accident) or rolls over, and that movement breaks the 12volt connection so fuel pump won't keep pumping out gasoline if a fuel line broke and possibly feeding a fire
Right, I get the purpose of the switch. Just not sure why pulling it would cause the vehicle to fire when it refuses. I do appreciate the outline of the fuel pump wiring, I'll be sure to trace it and see what I come up with! Thanks again!
Yes, its odd
Its a fuel injected engine so there is no left over fuel, like a carburetor has, so unless the fuel pump is running the engine can not start and run
