SO i bought a 1996 XL 4x4 ranger with the 2.3l 4 banger and have done intake,plugs,maf, wires, fuel filter,. It is a Manuel and i can get it to about 20-30 before it cuts out and died but if i let off of gas it comes and alive, idles new problem. I was thinking fuel pump but im trying not to waste money on parts i dont need, any information helps

 

Welcome to the forum


Yes, could be fuel pump is failing.

But could also be Fuel Pressure Regulator(FPR) is failing/failed

On 1997 and earlier Rangers Ford used a Return fuel system
The fuel pump sends gasoline OUT of the gas tank to the Fuel Rail on the engine(fuel injectors are connected to the Fuel Rail).
Also on the Fuel Rail is the FPR, FPR is connected to Fuel Rail AND Return fuel line.
Return line sends unneeded gas back to the gas tank.

FPR has a spring loaded valve inside, FPR is there to keep fuel pressure under 45psi.
So at 46psi spring will be pushed in, valve opens and fuel will flow back to the gas tank in the Return line.
FPR also has a Vacuum hose attached, this is there to stabilize fuel pressure when engine is running, stable pressure should be about 35psi, 30-40psi is spec, but engine will run fine down to low 20's psi, under that it will start "run out of gas".

On the Fuel Rail there will be a Pressure test port, it looks like a Tire's Air Valve, a schrader valve, because that is what it is, has same center pin that when pushed will release pressure, like a tires valve.

A fuel injection fuel system should hold pressure for MONTHS, not hours, days or weeks.....MONTHS, when engine/key is off.

So when engine is COLD get a towel and press in on that center pin to see if system still has pressure, be careful it can spray if there IS 30+psi pressure
You can also get a fuel pressure gauge, they can be rented or Loaned, from some auto parts stores.

If there is no pressure then either FPR or Fuel pump will be the problem.
Fuel pump has a Check Valve built-in, just a flap that closes when pump is off that holds system pressure.

If there is no pressure, then you will need to remove the Return fuel line from the FPR to see if its valve is leaking.
You need the same tool you used on the fuel filter replacement to remove this fuel line.

After Return line is removed, on a COLD engine, put a towel down under FPR
Turn on the key, fuel pump should run for only 2 seconds, which should give system about 10-15psi pressure
If fuel comes out of the FPR then replace it, valve is open and it should be closed
If FPR is holding, no fuel coming out then Fuel Pump is probably the cause of the low pressure.

Pulling off, or sliding back, the bed of the truck is the best way to gain access to the fuel pump assembly
Also check out the "sock" in the gas tank, it is the "pre-filter" for the fuel pump, these can get clogged up which would give you the same symptoms as clogged in line filter
The "lift hose" from the pump to the top of the tank can also leak, so have a look to see if that might be the problem, but at that point you might as well change the whole pump assembly because it is 20+ years old, but up to you.

 

Thank you so much i will be up at autozone tomorrow at 7 to get the fpr and fuel pumo

 

It's you money, but I wouldn't replace anything without testing it

Could be a bad wire and fuel pump is only getting 8volts instead of 13volts

 

What type of voltage should I be expecting from the fuel pump?

 

Battery voltage at the pump, so 13.5 to 14.5v engine running
Fuel pump only gets 2 seconds of voltage when key is turned on so hard to test

 

but doesn't the fuel pump run after the truck is running to? So I should be able to check it while running