Hey folks,

I have a 2002 Ford Ranger 3L V6 2WD with a 112 wheel base. My truck was running fine but had a weak battery that needed to be replaced. Two weeks ago I went to try and start my truck and it would turn but wouldn't start. I went and bought a fresh battery and installed it. This time it would turn more powerfully but would not start.

I have looked at the fuses and they look alright, the relay sounds like it clicks. I don't hear the fuel pump come on when I power on the truck either. I tried testing the schrader valve for the fuel rail to see if any pressure was there and there didn't seem to be any (I powered on the car a couple times and then pressed the valve to see if any fuel would spurt out and nothing happened). I plan to rent a fuel pressure gauge to verify though.

Today I checked the inertia switch and it is still active.

Now I'm thinking it has got to be a fuel pump issue. I still need to double check the electrical connector to see that power is getting to the pump, but I'm starting to think it must be that the pump is kaput.

So what I would like to know is: what else should I do when swapping out the pump? I'm thinking of just buying a whole new assembly to swap with the old. I was also looking to replace the rubber fuel hose that goes from the pump to the metal fuel line that then leads to the fuel filter since the current rubber hose looks like it is quite worn where the hose clamp is securing it to the metal fuel line. Does anyone know what diameter of hose that is? I'm not good at eyeballing hose diameters off hand.

I intend to just pop the bed off to get to the pump and top of the fuel tank since that seems easier than dropping the tank.

Any other tips or things I need to keep in mind? I know I plan to have a fire extinguisher and will siphon the tank as empty as I can before tackling this (also of course I will only use hand tools to keep from any sort of spark).

 

does the truck run if you give it a sniff of ether

 

You know, I have not tried that. Mostly because I am alone and can't both turn the key to start and spray ether in the intake.

I could ask a friend to come over to help.

 

Relays can go bad and still make a click, but either not fully close the internal switch or internal contacts are corroded. Before you replace the fuel pump, try jumping the relay sockets that close the circuit to power the pump (can't remember off the top of my head which ones, but look at the diagram on the relay and you should be able to figure it out).

Use a piece of wire or paper clip and jump it, just for a few seconds with the engine off. You should be able to hear the pump buzzing if the relay is bad. If you hear nothing, good luck on replacing the pump! I have read that you can unbolt the bed and slide it back on the frame with some sawhorses behind the truck to support it, and get to the pump that way.