Fuel pump shut off

Bernard · #1 03-21-2011, 05:37 PM

Just wondering if anyone has had their Ranger just shut down while driving. Mine has done it a few times in the last few months. Turns out its the fuel pump shut off switch located under the glove box. Just push the switch in and it fires right back up again and is fine. The question is, why is it doing it in the first place. It's an 05 with 33,000 mi. on it. Could be dangerous in the wrong situation. So far it has not been, thank God.

mickblock · #2 03-21-2011, 05:43 PM

If yours keeps doing it ... damn I was going to say replace it. But that might be like replacing a circuit breaker to fix a short.

Anyone know what sensor trips this switch or how this sytrem works? system I mean?

87bullsnkranger · #3 03-22-2011, 12:59 AM

It's called inertia saftey switch in case of a wreck or rollover the switch will trip and shutoff the positive electrical wire to the fuel pump so the pump will stop pumping fuel thru the pressurized fuel lines hopefully preventing a gas fire.All it's plugged into is that main electrical wire if you have your owners manual it will tell you how to properly reset the switch and that should fix your problem only other thing is check the plug going into it and the two wires make sure it's in good shape not burned or,melted or cracked, i had to redo the plug and wires due to age and getting hot n melted which caused the pickup not to run.

mickblock · #4 03-22-2011, 04:04 PM

Yeah. All that. I mean what makes it work and what can cause it to fail, the component itself or something that can send it a false signal?

FireRanger · #5 03-22-2011, 04:21 PM

No signals or anything high tech. It's just an inertia switch. It is a moving part, made of plastic. There is a ball and a magnet. When ball breaks free of the magnet, it trips the switch. They fail once in a while. Just replace it, problem solved.

Bernard · #6 03-22-2011, 05:05 PM

I have reset it according to the manual but looks like I'll have to get it replaced. I think I may still be under a warranty so I'll let them do it. The truck only has 33,000 on it so it should not be doing anything like that yet, but it is still 6 years old. I will check the wires to see what the deal is just to be sure. Thanks.

FireRanger · #7 03-22-2011, 05:29 PM

Warranty at 6yrs and 33k?

HazardousRanger · #8 03-22-2011, 06:38 PM

is the fuel pump mounted to the wall? that was my issue when i was offroading...found out the hard way that it wasnt mounted...mounted it on the wall and never had any issues again

Bernard · #9 03-23-2011, 03:13 AM

Bought it used w/ 100,000 mi. warranty w/ an extra one for electrical probs. or whatever so it should still have it. The deal is you have to get it serviced at that dealer to keep the warranty.

87bullsnkranger · #10 03-24-2011, 12:49 AM

sounds the best thing to do wile you have warranty cause otherwise you have to go to a junkyard to get anotherone unless you get lucky with an oddball parts place like carquest.