Hey everybody, I hope that all is well. Just wondering if you could help me with something before I drive to Minnesota from Toronto.....I am having a fuel flow problem in my 1998 MAZDA B2500, and would like to test the fuel delivery system. Please let me know (Haynes is useless as usual) where the fuel pump relay, and the inertia switch are. Also, a simple system test explanation would probably help me tonnes. It seems like when I start the truck cold, it bucks for about 30seconds, then finally breaks 3000 rpm and is able to accelarate. Also, when on the highway I have intermittent loss of power. Any suggestions would be GREATLY appreciated. THANKS!!!

 

I found the inertia switch, it seems OK. Anybody able to help me with a possible diagnostic for my problem? Thanks!

 

I would pull the codes and check the fuel pressure when the truck is having problems. you can probably get the codes pulled at autozone or the such, pick up a fuel pressure tester while you are there. Also, how many miles are on the truck and when was the last tune up?

 

I had the same problem in my Ranger 2.5l it was the mass airflow sensor. Thats what I would check first. It would bounce around for a while then idle smooth back and forth. I could drive it but it would cut if I didn't keep revving it. Hope this helps

 

Clean your MAF sensor real well with some non-residue electrical cleaner.

If you have not cleaned your throttle body recently, that would be a worth while exercise. Use air intake cleaner. Do not use carburetor/choke cleaner.


Keep us advised


Russ

 

Don't forget to change the fuel filter also if it hasn't been done in the last 15,000 miles or so. I just changed mine after 75,000 and oh what a difference it makes. At least you would have better gas flow!

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Where did you find the inertia switch ? Is this the same as the emergency fuel shutoff in case of an accident ? Mine is supposed to be at the top of the carpet on the right of the hump according to my owner's manual that was still in the glovebox but I can't locate it there or at the kick panel. Is there a pic somewhere ?
Rich

 

I had three for vans and they were behind the kick panel on the passengers side. On some you can reach over the panel with your fingers and feel it, but keep in mind that this switch won't restrict fuel flow, it cuts it off in case of an accident.

 

The inertia switch is the fuel cut off, just as you thought.

Thats were it should be, do you have any home spliced wires in that area?

 

It appears I do have spliced wires by the kickpanel. How many wires are we talking about and what are their colors ?

 

I would expect two wires, maybe brown/red or red/brown.

 

Thanks, Ken.
These are Orange with a blue stripe connected to a pink with a black stripe. There is also a multi wire connector with nothing attached to it at the top of the hump.
Rich

 

Heh, I've been fighting with this kind of problem for months with my '87 Ranger. If someone has bypassed the wire that goes from the fuel relay to the inertia switch it is probably because the plug that goes into the switch is fried, as mine is. If what I described is the case on your truck try unplugging the plug from the inertia switch and see it the truck runs any better, it helped me for a while. One thing I learned is that you must leave the wire running from the relay to the end of the inertia switch plug intact. I tried splicing a line directly from the fuel relay to the line that runs from the inertia plug to the fuel pumps. The pumps had no power. When I put the line I had cut (the one from the relay to the plug) back together the pumps worked again, even with the plug unplugged from the inertia switch. Just FYI, hope that wasn't too confusing...

 

Hey Irishguyincc,
I have an 86 ranger. What color are your wires to the switch ?
Rich

 

My wires appear as follows: from fuel pump relay it's a red with green stripe, in the cab the wire from the relay to the inertia plug is orange with light blue stripe and the wire from the plug to the fuel pumps is pink with a black stripe.