Philofab's shop Ranger

philofab · Post by **philofab** » Thu Nov 24, 2011 12:41 pm

James came yesterday and we sorted out the paperwork so I've actually had a chance to drive it a little bit. It has an odd issue with the fuel injection.

It can be hard to start occasionally. Leaving the key on for 3-6 seconds before cranking works best. With the Key on engine off the fuel pump never shuts off. From the sound of the pump it may be loosing prime when off. I have yet to start checking the wiring / fuel pump relay / ecm. No check engine light, light does illuminate on bulb check.

I also removed the 2" wheel spacers and put a nut on the pivot bolt. Looks like the ranger cross member is much tighter than a full size so I will need to trim it for equal length clearance. Noticed the truck has a non gear reduction starter... probably swap that out for a little weight savings.

E-brake does not work due to cage being in way of foot lever and explorer rear swap. I think I'm going to install a heavy equipment / fork lift style brake lever between the seats. Old cage needs cut out, not welded 360, horrible weld quality, and a seem in between the a-pillars on top hoop. Someone has cut the frame attachment bars.. maybe to quiet it down? Not sure.

I think all the b-pillars on the new cage will be behind the cab for extra room.

johncharlesb · Post by **johncharlesb** » Thu Nov 24, 2011 1:08 pm

philofab wrote:It can be hard to start occasionally. Leaving the key on for 3-6 seconds before cranking works best. With the Key on engine off the fuel pump never shuts off. From the sound of the pump it may be loosing prime when off. I have yet to start checking the wiring / fuel pump relay / ecm. No check engine light, light does illuminate on bulb check.

The intermittent nature sounds like a coil to me. Does it start well cold? A fuel pressure check would be in order too.

philofab · Post by **philofab** » Thu Nov 24, 2011 1:22 pm

johncharlesb wrote:
philofab wrote:It can be hard to start occasionally. Leaving the key on for 3-6 seconds before cranking works best. With the Key on engine off the fuel pump never shuts off. From the sound of the pump it may be loosing prime when off. I have yet to start checking the wiring / fuel pump relay / ecm. No check engine light, light does illuminate on bulb check.
The intermittent nature sounds like a coil to me. Does it start well cold? A fuel pressure check would be in order too.

I'm pretty sure it's a fuel issue and not one of the coil packs. It's starts the same regardless if it's cold/warm or been sitting/just run.

If the problem goes away when I swap the emissions coil pack to firing order I will know it's a coil pack. As an added plus I will have a redundant ignition minus the crank trigger.

philofab · Post by **philofab** » Thu Nov 24, 2011 4:19 pm

Fuel pump is staying on with ignition regardless if there is a fuel pump relay plugged in....

philofab · Post by **philofab** » Thu Nov 24, 2011 5:04 pm

Inertia switch was popped. So now I just need to find where they spliced power into the circuit.

SuperSixAxis · Post by **SuperSixAxis** » Thu Nov 24, 2011 5:12 pm

SWEET!

philofab · Post by **philofab** » Thu Nov 24, 2011 5:29 pm

Found the splice near C101. It's amazing the fuel pump didn't burn the 22/24 gauge wire up. Now that it's fixed it is starting better. I need to install a bypass switch on the inertia for racing. I've never managed to pop the one on my Bronco but you never know.

hobbyturnedobsession · Thu Nov 24, 2011 9:27 pm

The ranger I had used to have problems with the inertia switch.

philofab · Post by **philofab** » Fri Nov 25, 2011 3:16 pm

Truck is running a lot better now. Went to the junk yard today to find a tail gate, passenger inside door handle, and some other bits and pieces. Yard is empty so Monday or Tuesday I'll go over to the staging yard and pick the stuff I need before the tweakers destroy it.

Messed around with the door chime circuits a little... someone in the past removed the module. I'll need one of those now too.

I also located a complete 2.5 engine to use for this thing if I don't swap another engine in it.

Wood · Post by **Wood** » Tue Nov 29, 2011 9:58 am

I tripped the fuel pump shut off/ inertia switch in my ranger when running it at ROR...but that probably had something to do with landing on the front bumper.

philofab · Post by **philofab** » Tue Nov 29, 2011 11:10 am

Wood wrote:I tripped the fuel pump shut off/ inertia switch in my ranger when running it at ROR...but that probably had something to do with landing on the front bumper.

I figure an override toggle on the dash will cure that problem, and still leave the system intact for street use.

philofab · Post by **philofab** » Thu Dec 01, 2011 10:48 am

Woohoo, got a door chime module from an Explorer... now I won't leave my headlights on!

philofab · Post by **philofab** » Sat Dec 17, 2011 12:56 pm

Got a sweet tailgate for $5.43 at pick apart today...

philofab · Post by **philofab** » Sat Dec 17, 2011 12:57 pm

Oh, so far I'm into this truck $775 minus $45 I made from the wheel spacers.

Current total is now $735.43.

I'll dig up the registration cost too...

Post by **SteveG** » Sat Dec 17, 2011 1:31 pm

I think you should base the color scheme off the tailgate.

philofab · Post by **philofab** » Sat Dec 17, 2011 1:34 pm

Haha, full on retro?

Joxracing · Post by **Joxracing** » Sat Dec 17, 2011 3:09 pm

agree with steveG!

philofab · Post by **philofab** » Sun Dec 25, 2011 9:25 am

Went to drive the ranger to California yesterday and only made it 80 miles or so. Transmission couldn't handle the power of the 2.3!!!

Nick · Post by **Nick** » Sun Dec 25, 2011 9:32 am

Bummer!

philofab · Post by **philofab** » Sun Dec 25, 2011 9:48 am

No worries, time for an LS motor?