88 ranger 5 speed 2.9 2wd
hey guys this is my first ranger and i love it, but it died the other day. Relay clicks, checked inertia switch, took off the air box shot some ether in and it started right up as long as the ether was going. Also the fuel pump does not prime at all.
So i have got a couple questions that you i hope some of you might be able to answer.

First i wanted to know what the functions of the two separate fuel pumps are so i can better understand and diagnose my truck. Is the fuel pump in the tank the one that you hear the priming noise from?

Second I was looking at buying a new in tank fuel pump and i wanted to know from you guys is there any reason i should by the whole fuel pump assembly when i could buy just the pump part and replace that? I would be saving about $50-$70 if i just buy the pump instead of the whole assembly.

Lastly, I was not able to find much literature on the 88 ranger so if any of you have done this procedure and have any advice or hiccups that you ran into i would love to hear it.

I know there are some fuel pump questions in this forum but none of them really gave me the answers i needed so am asking here. I appreciate anything contributed thank you.

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88 ranger XLT 2.9 efi 5 speed 6 cylinder. I am guessing 250k miles but who knows there is a possibility it is 150k

The fuel pump in the tank (low pressure pump) feeds the high pressure pump located on the fuel rail under the driver's door. The high pressure pump provides pressure for the injectors. The fuel pressure regulator maintains a constant pressure to the injectors and sends excess fuel back to the tank. Check the fuse to see if it has blown. If the fuse are OK, listen to see if both pumps are running when you cycle the key. A fuel pump relay should be located on the inside of the right front fender. I think it is the second one from the back. It provides current to the fuel pumps and should click when you turn the key on.

Hey thanks a lot for the reply. I have replaced the relay and it clicks and closes its contact when the key is turned. I have read about these in line fuel pumps should i replace this instead of the in tank one i guess i am confused about which one i should replace. Is there any way that i can diagnose which is should replace. thanks again

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88 ranger XLT 2.9 efi 5 speed 6 cylinder. I am guessing 250k miles but who knows there is a possibility it is 150k

So the fuel pump relay clicks, but both of the pumps are not turning on?

What's important is that 1 wire supplies 12 volts to both pumps. If both pumps are not turning on, then I wouldn't be blaming either pump off the bat. It's hard to hear the intank pump, though.

Fuel pump main power will also have an inline fuse link on '86-'88 models in the main harness. This one is probably near the starter relay, but I don't have my EVTM in front of me to reference.

Follow the power to the high pressure frame mounted pump up to the fire wall, there will be a small plug you can disconnect and supply 12 volts to. If the pumps come on, then the pumps are fine. You can also over ride the computer's control over the fuel pump relay by grounding the fuel pump test terminal on the EEC-IV diagnostic connector. So when the key is on run, it has power all of the time.

Sounds like it might not be getting through your inertia switch, but need to look at parts of the circuit and see whether or not power is flowing to the pumps.

If you look across the top of the frame in front of the left rear wheel you will see the top of the fuel tank. Place your hand on top of the tank and have someone turn the key on. You should be able to hear or feel the pump running. The high pressure pump on the frame is easy to get to. Do the same thing. A test light would be helpful for testing circuits for current.