I was out driving my truck and it just crawled to a stop, not a stall or anything, just like it ran out of gas, but I had just filled up. I got it towed home and replaced the pump and filter, still not working. I checked the relay and it seems to be okay, and the inertia switch is connected. But I don't hear the pump come on when I turn the key. What should I be looking at next? All help is appreciated

Note: when I start it with starting fluid it runs until fluid is all burned up then the truck dies again, I know it's getting spark

 

how did ya check the relay, they only run about $5 just put a new one in. You might also want to check the wires from the relay/relay box they sometimes get corroded depending on where you live. Pulling and replacing the relay several times may also help along with some contact cleaner and dialectric grease. If you R&Rd the pump are you sure all pump connections were good, clean and greased? I never hear my pump have you opened the bleeder on the injector rail to see if there is pressure there and fuel?

Do you have pressure when you open the fuel cap?

 

I had a 98 2 wheel drive do that. It ended up being a bad connection under the cab. One of the bolts holding the back of the drivers side seat was putting pressure on a large connector that handled everything electrical behind the cab, including the fuel pump. I put some dielectric grease in the connector and put a couple of flat washers under the head of the bolt to shorten it up a bit. It worked like a charm. I have to admit that finding it was nothing but luck. Figured it out when it would run with no one sitting in the drivers seat and stall out as soon as I got in.

 

Welcome to FTE.
Good idea to have noted you've replaced the fuel filter & pump.
Is this the 87 Ranger in your vehicle profile? If so, it might be helpful to know which engine, tranny & body it has.
I like the ideas to put the fuel pump power relay & its connections on the suspect list.
If it'll run on starting fluid, it's getting spark, so sounds like the new fuel pump isn't getting power to run. At KOEO before cranking the engine can you hear the fuel pump run for a couple of seconds & turn off, to prime the fuel system for a start?
If you can't hear the fuel pump run, with a 12 volt test lamp, or your DVOM on the 20 volt DC range, check its 12 volt B+ feed to the pump at the in cabin inertia switch, to see if B+ is making it that far, as it'll check most of the wiring to the pump. If no B+ at the inertia switch, back up to the fuel pump power relay as has been suggested & give it a wiggle or thump to see if it'll wake up, or try swapping it for a like relay not needed to run the engine & see if that'll bring joy. Relays are a common problem part, so belong high up on your suspect list as the guys have suggested.
If still no joy, check the fuse-able link to the fuel pump power relay, to see if its blown, by removing the pump power relay & checking for 12 volts B+ at the relay socket. It should be hot at all times if the link is ok.
More thoughts for consideration, let us know what you find.

 

That's for all the help guys! It all lead back to the relay which I just replaced today!

 

Ok good find, fix, feedback & to hear all now seems well & your on the road again.