I had just recently bought a 87 ranger 2.9L 4x4 and it had been sitting for several years because the previous owner didn't re register it. i got it running when i bought it with a new battery and some starting fluid. I then drove it down the road and stopped at auto zone to get some fuel injector cleaner i dumped it in and i went to turn the key and she was turning over and firing on starting fluid but not starting so i towed it home.
so here is what I've put into it

fuel filter
air filter
distributor and cap HELP!!!!!!
ignition coil
starter relay
new fusible links
spark plugs

 

Do you hear the fuel pump run when you first turn the key on?

 

tried it and didn't hear either of the pumps run.

 

Then it sounds like your fuel pump went south on you... When the key is turned on, the pump runs for a second or so to build up fuel pressure.

Had the same thing happen to the wife's Windstar...

 

It also wont fire on starting fluid either. any thoughts?

 

Possibly either the inertia switch or a blown fuse... Not real sure where the inertia switch would be on your '87 but I'd look down under the dash, by the kick panels - there should be a hole where you can stick your finger in and push the reset button...

 

the reset button is on the top of the switch. do you think if i bypassed it that might work.

 

I'm not entirely sure if bypassing it will accomplish anything. It was mentioned in another post by Dutter that, if the switch goes bad, it would blow a fuse.

Another thought I had was, since you mentioned it had been sitting for several years, that you may have a ground or other connection that is corroded and is not making good connection. The wiring to the inertia switch can do that - or, you may have a wire that's grounding out when it's not supposed to... Check the connectors at the fuel pump and work your way up to the inertia switch.

If anyone else has any ideas, feel free to chime in... I'm running out of ideas...

 

Open glove box as the inertia switch is behind it. Pull it out and unplug it to bypass it. You have two pumps. One lift pump in the tank and a pressure pump on the frame just behind the fuel filter on drivers side.

 

I believe when you unplug it that relieves the fuel pressure and its under the dash on the firewall and i did know there are two fuel pumps i just want to know if the inertia switch is for both or just for one pump or another.

 

On my 87-88 & 89 I pulled a gray box out from behind the glove box after opening it and it had a red button on it. I unplugged it and they start. If that is not the inertia switch than I have not a clue what it is. On mine the pressure pump on the frame runs whenever the key is on. I can feel it vibrate through the floor. The pump in the tank only runs for a few seconds if the engine don't start and I have to cycle the key switch on and off and back on to cycle it again. This is how mine is. Sorry I don't know about any others. Oh, and I can only relieve the fuel pressure by letting it off on the tire valve looking thing on the fuel rail. I do this before removing the fuel filter or to check the fuel pressure.

 

alright guys sorry for the very delayed reply but I've accomplished a few things and it now runs but for only for about 5-10 minutes. I replaced the fuel pump relay and the stater inside the distributor so i got fuel and i got spark. I do have to wait an hour or two then it will start again. But when it does die it just shuts off but all of my lights and gauges still work when it happens It's acting like its lost spark. any ideas?

 

With the new information I would suspect the ignition coil.

 

Check the ECM relay next to the fuel pump relay on the pass. side wheel well cover.

 

Are not these relays the same Dave. are they the ones that can be swapped with each other? If so and are the ones I am thinking of swapping them with one another should show a problem if one is bad.

I admit that I have replaced maybe 20 of these relays and have yet to find that it was the problem. And neither have I learned yet how to test them other than swapping them with another.