So I was working on a fuel pressure issues, and was unsuccessfully getting the engine to start. As I was doing this, I turned the key back and the started kept cranking. I took out the key, it was still going. I had to disconnect the battery to make it stop. When I reconnect it the starter reengages, even without a key.
I did read that a low/drained battery could cause this, So I charged it overnight. Battery is 100% charged and the issue remains. Any suggestions on where to look next?

 

1987 Ranger?
2.0l engine?

Could be starter relay is broken

2.0l engine used a carburetor so what was the fuel pressure issue?

 

I replaced the starter solenoid, that seems to have worked.
The fuel issue is tricky. The fuel sending unit is bad, and there are none available ( Ford Part # E5TZ-9275-M), so we were using the trip odometer to make sure we had enough fuel. Unfortunately one of my kids pushed it to far and ran out of gas. We filled the tank, and the engine would only idle - one you touched the throttle it died. I replaced the fuel filter and now it will only run if the accelerator is being pushed. So I am thinking there is still dirt in the fuel line - I will need to take off the new fuel filer, clean it, I just need to figure out how to pump the fuel out of the line. The carbureted engines use a mechanical pump that runs off of the engine - so I can't just turn the key and let the pump (if it was electric) do it's thing.

 

Mechanical pumps can pull fuel out of the gas tank, they have good suction, electric pumps can not, no suction, which is why they need to be locate in the gas tank, just FYI

When you run out of gas with a mechanical pump you can get an air bubble trapped in/near the pump and the pump can not pump air, just liquids, so very little flow
I would remove the fuel line on the carb, disable spark, put end of fuel line in a container to catch the fuel
Crank the engine over until it has good flow into container, any air will be gone now, if it never gets good flow then there is an issue with inline filter or filter in the tank, "the sock"
Re-attach fuel line to carb

If you think dirt got passed the inline filter then a piece of dirt could be holding open the Float Valve in the carb, so carb is overflowing into the engine, so must add more air, i.e. hold gas pedal down to start, but it would still "flood out", you would smell the gasoline if this was happening

 

So I did as you suggested - removed the fuel filer, disabled the spark, and cranked the engine. The first 4-5 oz was absolutely filthy - looked like iced tea and a ton of sediment. I wound up pulling about 20 oz out before it ran clear and without any suspended fines. Started up, and ran with no issues. Thanks for the suggestion!