my 86 ranger 4x4 2.9 died instantly going down the road, not even like it ran out of gas. the pumps wont run, so i replaced the fuel relay, didnt help. i hard wired it at the fuel relay and both pumps ran. i think figured it would start with gas to the motor, it still wouldnt. but i knew it had spark after pouring gas down the intake and it would fire and run. so i have it narrowed down that it must be before the fuel relay, and while it also is causing the pumps to not run its not injecting fuel... im stumped. any ideas? could it be the ignition?

 

check the inertia switch that is on the passenger side on the firewall under just under the glove box.

 

sorry i forgot to mention i also checked that, i even by passed it just while im trying to get all this figured out

 

After 25 years of use , I'd suspect a problem in the ignition switch after checking all the fuses.
They don't last forever.

 

fuses are also good. also was wondering, could it be the ECM (ECU)? and does anyone know what would be the best way to check it, and or the ignition switch for that matter