Hey guys. Im usually in the ranger forum but i just recently met a guy with a '87 BII V6 (im guessing this is the 2.9L like my 89' ranger had) and he says he cant get it started. If i recall correctly it died a couple weeks ago and had to be towed home. I believe he said before it died it had been actig strange for a while. He says it would surge when cruising at highway speeds(50-55?) but when he'd give it more throttle or slack off the throttle, the surging woulg go away. So it would only surge when holding the throttle in one posistion. He said everyone he asked about it said it sounded like fuel problems. Now ive read here that many BII's came with a filter canister but no element so im expecting to see that. I was planning to go over and check the filter and if ther is one i was gonna change it out and see what happens but if theres no filter i dont see how putting one on now will help at the moment to get the truck started. Af for checking the pump, I recall being able to clearly hear my pump runnig with the key on the "on" position. so i believe i can atleast check if the pump is runnig but i dont have a pressure tester so i dont know how im gonna check that. The of course if i can verify that the pump does in fact run i was gonna check the plugs for fuel residue. Anything else i can do? Thanks alot guys. Even links to threads would help. I searched but i couldnt find anything like this.

 

One of the first things I would do would be to pull codes from the computer. See if the computer can lend any insight into why the engine stalls.

 

I dont have access to a code puler and the reason im working on it is because he cant drive the truck and cant get a mobile mechanic. and doesnt want to pay for towing. the engine doesnt stall it doesnt start to begin with. supposedly it cranks but no fire. ohh i for got to add ill check the plugs too.

 

A paper clip and a test light or analog voltmeter are all that are required to pull codes. Ken00 has posted instructions in his tech info post, or you can find instructions all over the net or in any self-respecting repair manual. The computer can detect some causes of a no-start, so I would still include that in the list of things I would do first, in addition to checking for fuel and spark.

 

Your on the right track checking for fuel, if you have fuel, next step is check for spark. As I recall teh 2.9 used the TFI ignition, and they are prone to just going out for no good appearent reason. The non start may or may not have anything to do with the surging issue, so check the basics, fuel and spark. if you hve those then you can continue looking for codes, and if the injectors are firing, but if the TFI is out the injectors won't fire either.

 

Thanks guys. I dont have a test light or an analog volt meter but i guess i could go and buy a test light. Im fixing this guys truck for some extra cash but im not sure if he is even gonna pay me now so im a bit hesitant to spend money out of my own pocket for this. I dont mean the test light though. thats like $10 right? besides its something that can come in handy.

 

You don't even need a light or meter just a piece of wire and the code's will flash on the check engine light.

 

This works well for '88 and later. '87 and earlier didn't come (from the factory anyway) with a functional check engine light.

 

a test light is only about $4 at wal-mart...they also come in handy for alot of other things.i don't believe the 87 had a check engine light..my 86 doesn't have one,i have checked the code on mine using a paper clip and test light.i would check your tfi module on the distributer

 

i had the same problem. there is a ground wire for the fuel pump that goes to the neg side of the battery there is a conecter a lil ways down mine came unpluged and ta da no start maybe yours is the same hope this helps.