just bought this ranger for $500 great body/interior. problem is it idles good but cant give it any gas or else it will spit and sputter throwing out tons of black smoke. there is a CEL on but I cant read it, scanner says theres a shorted wire, so i tried the jumper method to read the CEL blinking and it still wont work. also the people i bought it from had to wire it up so that the fuel pump runs non stop when the key is in the ON position when the motor isnt running. they said it ran good for a few months that way. the truck has new cap/rotor/wires/plugs and a new fuel pump. I dont know where to start to find the problem if i cant read the codes.

 

For sure reading the codes could help.

So remove the fuel pump hot wire & see if you can then read the codes.

Sounds like fuel trim is out of whack rich, so pull the vacuum line to the fuel pump pressure regulator, (it's under hood on the fuel rail) & note if it's wet with fuel inside, if so it's diaphragm is bad so replace the regulator.

If thats ok, do a fuel pressure test at the fuel rail. If you don't have a gauge, you can come by one for a refundable deposit via your favorite autoparts stores "Loan-A-Tool" program.
Look for 35-45 psi at KOEO.
At idle 25-35 with the vacuum hose connected, 35-45 with it disconnected & plugged.

If thats ok, look to a dirty air filter. If thats ok, look to a dirty MAF sensor.

That should get you started, let us know what you find.