so i bought my 94 ranger super cab from my ex gfs dad... like i said its a 94 ranger super cab with 177k miles on it... but when i bought it i also bought the problems that came with it... its a stick shift and when i stall i cant turn the car on again for about 10-20mins. some ppl told me that its vapor lock but ive tried opening the gas compartment and i still cant start it... another problem i have is that the truck will randomly shut it self off (ex im driving on the freeway and im in 4th at about 4k rpm and then it slows down and then finally shuts off to where ihave no power at all) and when i try to turn it on it just turns over but doesnt start for about 30 mins. i took my truck in and got the oil changed thinking that could be something to do with it but it still wont turn over when i try to start after i stall and it still shuts it self off... so if anyone knows what it could be or has had the same thing happen to them and how to fix it pls pls pls let me know ill try anything...

-grimms

 

It would be easier to diagnose if you knew if you were loosing spark or fuel when the problem occured. However, given the history of the EEC and FP relays, I'd have them in the crosshairs of my scope. BTW, it's not vapor lock; that ended with the demise of carbs.

 

Always good advise from Billy. How long since the fuel filter was changed?

 

The fuel filter is definitely the place to start. At 4K you are putting a lot of pressure on the filter. If it's clogged up, you're stuck.

 

Welcome to FTE grimms.

I like Bills idea to check the fuel pump & computer power relays, seeing as how they are a common problem on sudden engine stalls.

Next time it does this, you could try swapping the A/C power relay for the fuel pump relay & see it it'll fire. If not, then try swapping it for the ECM relay & see if you get results.
You could try "thumping" them too & see if it'll wake em up!!!!

I like the fuel filter idea Bdox & Hunt4Fun had also, especially since this ride has the miles on it that you posted & you were turning 4K rpm's when it gagged.

SO, as has been asked, when last was the fuel filter changed????

Then it could be a coilpack problem too, as they like to act out when hot & worked hard.

As Bill said, it sure would be helpful to know if you have spark & fuel pressure when it stalls.
So whe it does it next time, be prepaired to check for spark & fuel pressure at the fuel rail & let us know what you find.

 

ok well im not a truck specialist so alot of what your telling me to do i have no clue on what it is your saying... like i know the fuel filter and i took my truck to a mechanic about a month ago when i was having the problem alot and they had it for about a week and they told me that they checked all the electrical and that they check the fuel filter and it was all working fine and looked good.. but again what they did vs what they said they did could be different things.. so honestly i dont know if they checked it or if they changed it and if they didnt change it then i dont know when the last time they changed it... ive only been the owner of the truck for about 4 months now... but as for the relays that pawpaw is talking about i dont know where they are or what they look like... would if be the fuses that your talking about???? also thanks for the help guys... i have been to two different mechanics and they said that my truck is fine and it didnt do anything for them then when i take it home it stalls on me... so im like wtf i know something is wrong with it..

 

Welcome to FTE grimms. Im glad you chose the best site on the net for Ford-Trucks! See you around the boards!!

Matt

 

Get your owners manual out & look in it for the location of fuses & relays in the under hood electrical power distribution box, located high up on the drivers side inner fender, back close to firewall & accross from the brake master cylinder. It's a black rectangular plastic box, with large amp, electrical system power fuses, diodes & the power relays for the fuel pump, computer, A/C, ect, that we were talking about.
The inside of the box lid may also have the fuse/relay locations on it.

Anyway, find the power distribution box & familiarize yourself with it & the locations of the different relays we were referring to & be pepaired to "thump" or swap em out, the next time it acts up!!!!

You could also run this puppy by your favorite autoparts store, for a no cost computer trouble code scan & see if it'll turn up any good clues, if so post ALL the code numbers extracted.

If you want to begin turning wrenches on your ride, why not pick up a repair manual for your truck at the autoparts store, or order a CD one, off the internet, if you don't like books.

You can likely save enough money on your first do-it-yourself, repair to pay for it!!!!! I have over the years. It's really not as difficult or confusing as it might now seem.

With this forum, a good repair reference & some simple hand tools, you'll likely be able to do most of your own troubleshoting & light repairs & have the satisfaction of doing it yourself & saving a ton of money!!!!!

Let us know what you find on the relays.

 

I seem to remember that some people who have had problems like yours had problems with the "emergency shut off switch" or the "roll-over switch". I don't know much about, it but I think it's by the passenger side footwell (inside the cab). I remember one guy had a dirty switch there and and symptoms much like yours. You might do a search on this board or perhaps I've jogged someone's memory.