Ok, this is the story just bought a 89 4-cylinder ranger with the 8 spark plugs. Over a year ago the motor was bored .60 over and rebuilt. The guy drove it for over 3 months with not problems until the DIS brain went out. I got it and replaced the DIS brain with one off another running motor and then tried starting but wouldn't start. Found that the fuel pump was dead so put a new one in and it started and ran for a few seconds then shut off and wouldn't start again. Checked spark and found the passenger coil was sparking but the driver was not so switched the coils and checked again and the same result passenger sparked driver did not. Then thought maybe it was not getting enough fuel pressure. So kept running the pump over and over to build pressure and it started but again only ran for a little then shut off. Thought maybe a faulty pump so got a new one but got same result would start but only stay running for few seconds. My last though was the fuel pressure regulator but just replaced that and it wont even try to start at all. If anyone has any ideas of something else I can try I would much appreciate the help. Thanks

 

Sounds like there is several problems here. You're not powering one coil which makes me wonder why not and maybe if you trace the problem you might find a few more things keeping it from starting. First check for power at your coil pack that isn't working. If you have power make sure the coil pack is grounded good, where it bolts down shouldnt be rusty or corroded. If not trace your wires searching for breaks, check all your fuses and relays. Test your fuel pressure to make sure its getting enough pressure that way you can rule out the issue of fuel. Is it carb or Fuel injection. check your plugs after trying to start it with no luck, if they are wet there is a spark problem. if they are dry with no fuel smell try starting fluid in the intake and see if it starts if so theres a fuel problem.

 

Thanks jsjeepie, tried all that and still nothing so decided to empty out all the fuel lines and dropped the tank to empty and clean. Then found out the tank had water in it so what was happening is the pump would every so often get gas to let it start but then suck water and shut off. Have no clue how the water got into the tank in the first place. Such a stupid problem, runs good now though. Thanks again.