I have a 1990 Ford Ranger with a 2.9 liter automatic transmission with about 70k miles on it. It recently died and I can't seem to get it running and am looking for some help. It turns over but won't start. I verifed it has spark and checked the fuel pump safety switch which didn't need to be reset. Do I need to take it to a dealer or mechanic to have the codes read? Is there a way to do that myself? Any suggestions you have will be greatly appreciated.
Thanks in advance for your help.

Dave

 

if i were you i would hook up a fuel pressure gauge to your truck and verify that you do have fuel coming to the fuel rail. If you dont the first thing i would check then is the fuel pump relay to make sure it is good. good luck

 

After trying to start it for a bit I'd pull a plug and see if it shows signs of getting gas.

Engines need fuel, spark, and spark at the right time. If you are sure you have spark, the most likely cause is fuel.

As silly as it sounds, be absolutely certain there is plenty of fuel in the tank. These trucks are notorious for fuel gauge failures. I have a 90 with the same engine and my fuel guage is out right now.

Fuel pump is another possibility.

Good luck.

Dennis

 

Thanks for the response. I believe it is a fuel problem too. My fuel gauge is out too and I confirmed there is gas in the tank. Any idea how I can check to see if the fuel pump is working or not?

 

I appreciate your response. However, I need a little help with your suggestions. How do I check the fuel pressure in the system? Is it possible to tell if the fuel pump relay is working or not? Thanks.

 

There should be valve on the fuel line somewhere along the manifold; visible when you're standing on the driver's side, as I recall (been a few years). Looks like a tire valve. Use a guage - if you just press the valve stem fuel will squirt everywhere (or it should) - could be very bad news and a hot time in your garage.

Also be aware that these engines had an issue with the "TFI module" aka "Ignition Control Module". Ford had a recall for them years ago, and they're a known problem area on the 2.9s - after being stranded once in my 1990 BII, I alway carried a spare. Module went out 3 times between about 120k miles and 230k miles on the clock.

I don't know if that's your problem, but it's one possibility. The module is on the back of the distributor against the firewall, and there's a $3 tool that helps you get the 2 screws out to remove it easily. When mine would go, the symptoms would be a little sputtering followed by completely dead engine - no spark to fire the plugs. Always happened when it was hot (hot day, running AC, etc).

EDIT TO ADD: Oh, now I see where you said it has spark. If it's a good strong spark, then the TFI is not your problem. But you probably knew that....

 

One more thing - you can read the codes with just a short piece of jumper wire if your CEL is working properly. Let me see if I can find a link to that procedure...

 

Here you go - scroll down to the Voltmeter or the MIL method:
Ford Ranger/Bronco II EEC-IV Testing