Here's a New One: Starting Problems
 

Hey Guys,

Hate to be that person that begs for advice on his first post, but I've looked over the internet and I haven't found a situation that quite lines up to what I'm dealing with.

Basically have just replaced the engine in my 1992 Ford Ranger 3.0L. Everything's attached and ready but it won't crank. We've done some troubleshooting and there are a few things I'm sure of:

1. The timing is correct.
2. The timing chain is not broken (and it better not be or that company's getting sued...)
3. We are getting spark, and when starter fluid's sprayed in the intake it fires until the fuel's been exhausted.
4. We are getting pressure on the fuel rail, but have not done a fuel pressure test; that said, it does fire out of the bleeder valve pretty forcefully.

So it comes down to the injectors unless the fuel pressure really is that low. Any thoughts, advice, strategies? Is there a sensor that, if gone bad, would cause this problem?

Thanks!

Re: Here's a New One: Starting Problems
 

earlier rangers have a small ground from the battery to the mainharness and will not fire injectors if it is not hooked up. I am not sure how they did this on the the Gen-IIs with the new wiring provisions, but something to check. you can use a 194 bulb, bend the legs out, put in an injector connector to verify whether you're getting injector pulse or not in a pinch - though this seems like your problem. if it runs on starting fluid, you timing is definitely right. it is possible that you might also have bad gas.

Re: Here's a New One: Starting Problems
 

Thanks for the reply. Does this ground plug into anything? I don't recall anything like that when I took the engine out, though I could have just missed it.

Re: Here's a New One: Starting Problems
 

So I found another thread where a gentleman had this same problem. The truck has been sitting awhile, and ethanol infused gas has a tendency to gum up after a relatively short amount of time, I thought it'd be easiest to just check this first.

On a 1992 ranger, what's the best way to drain the tank? Is there a plug like on the oil pan?

There isn't a drain plug. I think the easiest way would be to siphon it out, or unhook the fuel line and let the fuel pump do the work.

Re: Here's a New One: Starting Problems
 

Yeah, that's what I figured. Siphoning's the way to go.

Re: Here's a New One: Starting Problems
 

Okay so I replaced the gas and diluted what was in there to the point that I'm confident bad gas isn't the issue. Which leaves the fuel injectors themselves. Any advice on the easiest way to clean these things? Isn't there a chemical you can soak them in?

Re: Here's a New One: Starting Problems
 

http://www.oldfuelinjection.com/?p=82

you ought to check for injector pulse; the process of cleaning them is tedious and likely isn't going to solve the problem - what are the chances of every single injector getting clogged to the point that your truck won't even come close to starting ???

Re: Here's a New One: Starting Problems
 

Is there a way to do this without purchasing a device I don't have the money for?

Also, the were pretty exposed to the elements for a good three months there - under a shed but still out in the open. That said, you're right, all six not functioning seems sort of improbable.

Re: Here's a New One: Starting Problems
 

:confused:

Re: Here's a New One: Starting Problems
 

:eek: Um...oops.

Are these them? And sorry for the general ignorance:

http://www.autozone.com/autozone/par...entifier=59018

Re: Here's a New One: Starting Problems
 

yup that's it

Re: Here's a New One: Starting Problems
 

Perfect.

I'm not sure which I'm hoping for, to be honest. Part of me wants them clogged because even though that's probably a lot more work, it's at least something I understand. But electrical issues are simply baffling to me.

Re: Here's a New One: Starting Problems
 

I tested the left bank of the fuel injectors today and all three of them are pulsing. I'll test the right ones tomorrow (they're under the upper intake, and I didn't have time) but even if they're not working the ending should be starting. I'm going to test the fuel pressure again, because other than that it has to be c clogged injectors...

Re: Here's a New One: Starting Problems
 

I'm having the most sincere bad luck.

So I'm trying to run a fuel pressure test just to eliminate that as the problem, and the gauge is reading zero. Now, I'm not sure how this is possible since when you depress the valve gas SPEWS out when the engine's cranking. It should be reading something, right? Or is cranking speed not enough to get a reading.