So I was driving a back country road into town when I hit a pothole doing about 35 mph.....yikes. about a quarter mile later, my engine just dies on me. It shuts off and i have to use the emergency brake to pull over.

When I tried to start it back up, it came to life for a quick second and then died again. Then it sputtered, rattled to life, and died a few more times. I pumped the gas pedal to try and get some fuel into the mix, and it didn't do any good. Eventually, I couldn't get it to sputter anymore and it just turned over - but no ignition. I spent well over 2 hours checking for fluid leaks and physical damage - thought I might've hit the oil pan somehow. Aside from the usual bit that seeps out, there didn't seem to be any leakage. I checked the levels of my coolant, trans fluid, and oil and they were all good. So I climb under the truck and check my fuel lines. Everything seemed to be fine. I couldn't see anything blatantly wrong with the transfer case or anything hanging down.
I read in my manual about an emergency fuel shutoff switch - found it and it hadn't gone off, but I reset it anyway. Didn't do any good. I listened for the fuel pump before I tried to turn it over a few times but I couldn't hear it. I checked the power distribution box and the fuel pump fuse was fine. I suspect there may be something wrong with the fuel pump itself?
I got my dad to come out with his Excursion and we towed it about 10 miles home on the back roads. we were lucky not to run into any police. Now, it's sitting on the street and I have no clue what to do. What could it be? And how do I check?

The truck has 211k miles on it by the way - but my dad still wants me to throw money at it. I love the Ranger, so I'm all for it...but it's problem after problem right now.

 

check the fuel pressure coming from the fuel pump

 

how?

 

install the pressure gauge between the fuel filter line and the throttle body fuel inlet or fuel rail.

If the pressure tap is not installed or an adapter is not available, use a T-fitting

35-45psi

 

If you give me an e-mail address, i can get you chiltons 3 page fuel pressure test

 

Have you check the fuel cut off switch?

It will kill the fuel pump in a crash. Its on the pass side foot well near the edge of the carpet. Just make sure the button is pushed in.

 

agreed. Hit the reset switch before anything else. The button is described above and is red. Pull the carpet back and you'll see it.

 

;

 

check the "jolt switch" (sorry i don't know what its called)
its located under the dash on the pass. side on the far right side some times those just need to be reset

 

same thing as the fuel shut off switch

 

Hmmmm good to know that some people read



Have you checked all connections? Like spark plug wires etc? And my guess is fuel pump to start.

 

Monster paragraphs get skipped. Most people read the high points and draw a conclusion.

I know im guilty.


At 211k the pump maybe bad. Its hard to say.

Really does sound fuel pressure related. Test it.

Something like this is what you need.

- Harbor Freight Tools - Quality Tools at the Lowest Prices

 

Possiby also Vacuum related? maybe he jarred off a vacuum line... woudl cause major issues with the engine doing all kinds of random stuff


But - with the fuel issue yeah, that coudl be a big one too - woudl cause some bad crap with the engine considering it has to run on the fuel

 

Sounds like a government coverup.

Turn your truck in the "on" for about 30sec to see if the fuel pump build up pressure, then try to start it.

 

I would say its your fuel pump. same thing happened to me, I went on a trail that was full of bumps and my truck just straight died on me like you said. It ended up being the fuel pump.

 

Thanks for the input guys - I'm pretty sure it's the fuel pump. I seem to be getting spark and I can't find/hear any vaccum leaks - I had leaks a few weeks ago but I did a pretty good job sealing them.

My email address is:

straighttoandrew@gmail.com


if there's anything anyone can send me about checking fuel pressure.
Thanks again guys..

 

Just do a simple sound test. The pump is loud enough to hear when its primes the fuel system when the key is turned to on.

 

e-mail sent.

 

Once you have the gauge checking fuel pressure is just like checking tire pressure.

Just the test port is on the fuel rail with a blue cap.