Notices
1983 - 2012 Ranger & B-Series All Ford Ranger and Mazda B-Series models

another cryptic cry for help

Old Jan 3, 2008 | 07:55 PM
  #1  
rkshipley's Avatar
rkshipley
Thread Starter
|
Freshman User
Joined: Apr 2004
Posts: 29
Likes: 0
another cryptic cry for help

So here's the problem.

A few weeks ago, my truck 98 Ranger 3.0L manual w/200K+ miles up and died on me with no warning.

Going up a bridge, the engine died on me...sputtered, surged, and by the time I got to the top, it wasn't responding to throttle input (running...barely)...then died completely. Tried cranking it several times since, no dice.

I coasted to the bottom and waited for a minute. Then it re-started but ran BADLY...and died 1/2 a mile down the road.

Towed it home and it's sitting in the driveway... I haven't messed with it during the holidays ...and now I need to get it fixed up. It's not my primary transportation, so I've got some time, and I'll probably be fixing it myself.

So far, I'm not sure what to think. I don't think it's electrical (the alternator/battery is new and the starter spins just fine). I'm thinking possibly a bad fuel pump or filter...no Check Engine Light or anything to indicate a sensor issue.

I'm open to any suggestions...anything I should check? Any idea how to check the function of a fuel pump on this little truck? Tips for R & R of the pump?
 
Reply
Old Jan 3, 2008 | 08:10 PM
  #2  
Rags's Avatar
Rags
Senior User
Joined: Dec 2005
Posts: 253
Likes: 0
From: Beaver, Pennsylvania
Could very well be the pump if it has never been changed with that mileage. But it would still be best to put a fuel pressure guage on it and check to see for sure.

Key on engine off you should get around 40psi. If not there are a couple other things to check like the fuel pump relay and filter.

If you have to change the pump it is easier to remove the bed then to wrestle with the fuel tank.
 
Reply
Old Jan 3, 2008 | 09:24 PM
  #3  
ranger1999 Bob's Avatar
ranger1999 Bob
Posting Guru
Joined: Feb 2007
Posts: 1,292
Likes: 0
id look more at the filter first its a $20 fix the pump is alot more than that
 
Reply
Old Jan 4, 2008 | 01:14 AM
  #4  
littleme13's Avatar
littleme13
Posting Guru
Joined: Oct 2004
Posts: 1,424
Likes: 0
not to be a smart azz but does it have fuel in it??? that same exact thing happened to me once. started going up hill and truck died. restarted and didnt want to run. i thought i had gas but the gauge was stuck. flicked the dash and it dropped.

tony
 
Reply
Old Jan 4, 2008 | 02:45 AM
  #5  
Peter94's Avatar
Peter94
Postmaster
Joined: Aug 2003
Posts: 2,873
Likes: 0
From: St. Peter
You need to test your fuel pressure first. If you are not getting 40 PSI at the rail, check to see if the pump is getting power when the truck is keyed on. It should momentairly activate the fuel pump. If get voltage and dont hear the pump, then the next step would be to replace the pump. Changing the fuel filter is a good idea, however dont expect it to fix your problem. It seems like it happened too fast to be a filter issue.
 
Reply
Old Jan 4, 2008 | 05:00 AM
  #6  
Rockledge's Avatar
Rockledge
Post Fiend
Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 9,748
Likes: 16
From: Connecticut
Just a quick FWIW, the fuel pressure specs for a '98 (with returnless fuel system) are 54psi (+/-8psi).
 
Reply
Old Jan 5, 2008 | 06:43 AM
  #7  
03 Maz B23's Avatar
03 Maz B23
Elder User
Joined: Apr 2004
Posts: 966
Likes: 1
Did you try checking the fuel pump reset switch in passenger kick panel ? Try pushing the button in to see if it fires up after that.
 
Reply
Old Jan 5, 2008 | 11:53 AM
  #8  
gvrangr98's Avatar
gvrangr98
Senior User
Joined: Jan 2008
Posts: 178
Likes: 0
after market fuel pumps, from my experiece, are garbage. every time i put one in, it dies prematurely. maybe just bad luck but i don't think so. the "ford" fuel pump however was $412 for the part, plus labor.
 
Reply
FTE Stories

Ford Trucks for Ford Truck Enthusiasts

story-0

10 Things Every Truck Owner NEEDS (2026 Edition)

 Michael S. Palmer
story-1

Rezvani's Latest Post-Apocalytic Monster Is a Ford F-150 Raptor Underneath

 Verdad Gallardo
story-2

Top 10 Most Expensive Ford Trucks Ever Sold on Bring a Trailer

 Joe Kucinski
story-3

2027 Ford Super Duty Buyer's Guide (Every Model, Engine, & Package)

 Brett Foote
story-4

Top 10 Ford Truck Tragedies

 Joe Kucinski
story-5

AEV FXL Super Duty - the Super Duty Raptor Ford Doesn't Make

 Brett Foote
story-6

Lobo Vs Lobo: Proof the F-150 Lobo Should Be Even Lower!

 Michael S. Palmer
story-7

Ford's 2001 Explorer Sportsman Concept Looks For a New Home

 Verdad Gallardo
story-8

10 Best Ford Truck Engines We Miss the Most!

 Joe Kucinski
story-9

2026 Shelby F-150 Off-Road: Better Than a Raptor R?

 Brett Foote
Old Jan 5, 2008 | 06:21 PM
  #9  
Peter94's Avatar
Peter94
Postmaster
Joined: Aug 2003
Posts: 2,873
Likes: 0
From: St. Peter
Our shop wont even install an aftermarket pump (besides airtex) unless it is absolutely necessary. We always get acdelco or motorcraft, or mopar.
 
Reply


Thread Tools
Search this Thread

All times are GMT -5. The time now is 10:43 AM.

story-0
10 Things Every Truck Owner NEEDS (2026 Edition)

Slideshow: the best gifts for dads & grads

By Michael S. Palmer | 2026-06-02 21:45:57


VIEW MORE
story-1
Rezvani's Latest Post-Apocalytic Monster Is a Ford F-150 Raptor Underneath

Slideshow: Called the Fortress, the 850-horsepower pickup combines Raptor underpinnings with military-inspired features, survival equipment, and a starting price of $285,000.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-05-30 18:33:59


VIEW MORE
story-2
Top 10 Most Expensive Ford Trucks Ever Sold on Bring a Trailer

Slideshow: 10 most expensive Ford trucks ever sold on Bring a Trailer.

By Joe Kucinski | 2026-05-27 16:24:34


VIEW MORE
story-3
2027 Ford Super Duty Buyer's Guide (Every Model, Engine, & Package)

Here's everything that has changed for the latest model year.

By Brett Foote | 2026-05-27 16:17:28


VIEW MORE
story-4
Top 10 Ford Truck Tragedies

Slideshow: Top 10 Ford truck tragedies.

By Joe Kucinski | 2026-05-18 19:34:33


VIEW MORE
story-5
AEV FXL Super Duty - the Super Duty Raptor Ford Doesn't Make

And it might be even better than that.

By Brett Foote | 2026-05-18 19:26:42


VIEW MORE
story-6
Lobo Vs Lobo: Proof the F-150 Lobo Should Be Even Lower!

Slideshow: Does lowering an F-150 Lobo RUIN the ride quality?

By Michael S. Palmer | 2026-05-18 19:20:37


VIEW MORE
story-7
Ford's 2001 Explorer Sportsman Concept Looks For a New Home

Slideshow: Ford's bizarre fishing-themed Explorer concept has resurfaced after spending decades largely forgotten.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-05-12 18:07:46


VIEW MORE
story-8
10 Best Ford Truck Engines We Miss the Most!

Slideshow: The 10 best Ford truck engines we miss the most.

By Joe Kucinski | 2026-05-12 13:09:47


VIEW MORE
story-9
2026 Shelby F-150 Off-Road: Better Than a Raptor R?

Slideshow: first look at the 810 hp 2026 Shelby F-150 Off-Road!

By Brett Foote | 2026-05-12 12:50:07


VIEW MORE