Hello members, I just registered so am a newby to this forum. I hope someone can give me some advice on solving my problem. Yesterday I swapped out my seats. These seats came from a newer extended cab Ranger (I don't know what model year). My Ranger is a 1996 standard cab model. Today I went to go someplace and the truck started as normal. I backed out of my driveway and when I started forward I ended up killing the engine. When I went to restart it, it wouldn't start. It spins strongly but will not fire. It has 3/4 tank of gas so I have ruled that out. Since the only thing I have done to the truck since driving it yesterday is swap our the seats I was wondering if there some interlock that is associated with the seats that I am now missing with the newer seats. Has anyone had a similar issue? Currently the truck is out in the street because its on an incline and is too heavy for me to push back into my driveway. So I would appreciate any and all suggestions that might help me solve my dilemma. You can email me directly to lcardenas0136@hotmail.com. Thank you.

 

Welcome to the forum

No, no relationship to replacing the seats

First, turn on the key and make sure the CEL(check engine light) comes on, that means the Computer(PCM) has booted up, no PCM = No start
Then try to start, CEL should go OFF as soon as engine starts to spin, that means Crank Sensor is sending a good timing signal to PCM, no timing signal = No start

If your 1996 does the above, CEL on, then OFF when cranking, then you most likely have a fuel delivery issue
You can do the 50/50 test to confirm this if you want
50/50 test
Spray fuel into the engine
Try to start
If it starts, runs, and dies then spark is OK, but no fuel delivery
If it doesn't start/fire, then spark issue
50/50, instant results

Listen for the fuel pump
With key on you will hear 2 relays in engine bay "click" on, then you will hear the Fuel Pump in the gas tank run for 2 seconds, and only 2 seconds
But it runs those 2 seconds EACH TIME key is turned from off to on
So turn key off and on as much as needed to confirm you hear it or you do not hear it
Its not quiet

Inertia switch
Under and behind the glove box is the Inertia switch, mounted on the firewall
If there is an accident or roll over this switch with "trip" and cut power to the fuel pump
It has a RED button on the top that will pop up when "tripped" and it can be pushed back down to reset the switch
Looks like this: https://static.cargurus.com/images/s...1600x1200.jpeg
Green wire comes from the Fuel Pump Relay, Pink wire goes to fuel pump on the gas tank

You can get your 1996 Owners Manual here: https://www.ranger-forums.com/genera...1-models-3747/
It has the fuse and relay locations
In the engine bay fuse box are the Fuel Pump Fuse and Fuel Pump Relay
It is possible that when replacing the seats you shorted a wire under the carpet causing a fuse to blow when key was turned on
Engine started using residual fuel pressure in the system but stalled once that fuel was used up

 

I just looked at your profile and see you have a 2.3l SOHC Lima engine(1983-1997 Rangers)

These engines use a Timing BELT, and the belt can slip or break, doesn't cause engine damage but engine dies and will no longer start
Belt should be changed every 80-90k miles
Look behind the timing belt cover at the top front of the engine, have someone crank the engine to make sure the Cam Gear is turning, if not then belt is broken

 

Thanks RonD for your reply. Everything is ok now. I did the "on/off' procedure a couple of times as was suggested in another person's post and it started right up. Looks like I'll be pulling that bed off in the near future. Thanks again.