No start- possible fuel pump.

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Nov 18, 2009 | 04:16 PM

jgrasty7

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From: Columbus, OH

No start- possible fuel pump.

I've got an 04' Ranger XLT, 3.0 V6 with about 90k miles. I've got a random no start issue. Turns over fine, battery and alternator were tested as fine, it's not throwing any codes. About every other day I'll try to start it and it won't start. It eventually starts but sometimes it takes 12 tries. So I think I've narrowed it down to either a bad fuel pump or an electrical issue before the pump. The fuel inertia switch isn't popped, it's got new plugs/wires, air filters clean. I'm pretty sure the relay is still good. When I was replacing the fuel filter yesterday and tried to start it w/the fuel pump off, no gas was coming from the pump side lines. When I press the schrader valve pin on the fuel rail only a little bit of gas dribbles out. Any ideas would be greatly appreciated. I'm thinking about buying just the pump online tomorrow but would like to have a better idea if that's the actual problem.
Thanks
Joshua

Nov 18, 2009 | 07:38 PM

michigan66

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From: Dexter, MI

Do you hear the fuel pump run when you turn the ignition key "on?" If you don't, there is a wiring/electrical problem somewhere along the way. You think the relay is OK, but have you switched that relay with another one that you know is good? Do you have voltage at the pump?

Nov 18, 2009 | 09:49 PM

jgrasty7

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From: Columbus, OH

I did swap the relay with another one but if it doesn't start in the morning, the first thing I'll do is swap relays just to be sure. I can't check for voltage at the pump w/out dropping the tank, correct? My friend knelt down by the tank and said he could hear the pump but I don't feel like I can hear it normally.
Thanks
Joshua

Nov 18, 2009 | 10:31 PM

carsrus

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Next time it doesnt want to start get out of the truck and hit the tank with a 2x4 and a hammer by the pump. If it starts after that the pumps going out and sort of locking up just like starters tend to do when there going out.

Nov 19, 2009 | 06:35 AM

jgrasty7

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From: Columbus, OH

It seems that if I cycle the key on and off several times, it starts. Does this seem to imply anything?

Nov 19, 2009 | 07:25 AM

pawpaw

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From: SW Va

Cycling the ignition switch & having it start, kinda sounds like the fuel pump is acting out.

Could be the pump going out, or an electrical feed/voltage drop problem to the pump.

When it won't start, If thumping the fuel pump wakes it up, then maybe it's the pump.

If thumping the pump doesn't wake it up, maybe it's an electrical feed/voltage drop problem to the pump.

So measure the voltage at & through the in cabin inertia switch, to make sure the power relay & wiring to & through the inertia switch intenal contact is ok. The inertia switch is known to have problems.

If that checks out ok, try wigging the pumps electrical connector & see if it'll wake up.

If you come to suspect the fuel pump, it's said by those that have replaced theirs, that it's easier to unbolt the bed & move it back to access the pump, than to drop the tank.

Be sure to unhook the rear wiring harness & fuel fill pipe, before sliding the bed back on saw horses & the rear tires.

More thoughts to ponder, let us know how it goes.

Nov 19, 2009 | 11:13 AM

jgrasty7

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From: Columbus, OH

Today I got a fuel pressure gauge and it read 55psi in the on position and 60-65psi while it was running. I know that this isn't correct b/c it's supposed to be lower while running. I put fuel injector cleaner in the truck yesterday and since then it hasn't had any problems starting, I don't know if that's a fluke or what.
Joshua