now im not even sure it is fuel related, so i dont want to buy a fuel pump for that not to work.

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Sold, I'm no longer one of you.

A decent mechanic wanted $700 to do the fuel pump on my Chevy. I did it for right at $200 and a few hours work. Wouldnt have even been that long but I had three rusted out bolts that had to be cut off.

Im betting it could be done in under an hour on a Ranger, and fuel pump assembly shouldnt be more than about $150.

Save some serious cash and try to do it yourself.

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Fuel, fire, and air, my friend. If it's got good plugs and its getting air, then the next logical choice is the fuel system. I believe you said you replaced the filter, so Id look at a new pump next. If by chance thats not the problem, you have a new fuel pump that will last you a lot longer than your stock one (get a Delphi).

^^^ This
and you could also have Advance Auto or Auto Zone check to see what kind of trouble codes your Ranger has.

Good Luck

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2004 black Ranger XLT- Sold
2004 Vista blue 2WD(custom paint job)Ranger XLT 4-door ext. cab with the 3.slow and auto trans black and blue FX4 Level II bucket seats with shorty console
2004 DSG FX4 with a 5R55E auto trans and 4:10 gears-Sold
2010 Redfire Metallic 2WD Ranger XLT,4-door ext. cab, 4.0 SOHC with auto trans, SLA front sus. traction control, Sirius Satellite radio and 3:55 gears
2003 red Ranger Edge 4X4, 4-door ext. cab -4.0 SOHC with a 5R55E auto trans

Good idea, although my chevy only threw a code for a misfire when its pump went out.

Clean MAF and IAC

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2003 Ranger Edge ... crashed

2011 sport 4x4 with a little modification

I did that already

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How am I suppose to get them to run the codes? it doesn't run to get it there and the CEL doesn't flash in a pattern. when it shuts off or when i just turn the key to on the CEL, Check Guage, and battery lights are on solid.

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The doors have started locking by themselves when it starts as well and the lights are flickering. so now im wondering of its the alternator.

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Sold, I'm no longer one of you.

Try the pump!! I'd be willing to bet on the pump gone bad... And I'm not a gambler!! As for the lights flickering etc. it's prob because you have tried to start the thing 50+ times and your battery is dying less cranking and more bed removal... Seriously you will be mad if its towed and they call you from the shop charging you a ton to replace a fuel pump you could replace yourself for pretty cheap!! Try it!!!

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FTW

get a fuel pressure gauge from advanced (they might even loan you one) and check fuel pressure at the fuel rail

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2017 Ford Fiesta ST
2014 Ford Escape Titanium Ecoboost AWD

if it ends up being the key you owe me a picture of someone who looks like me kicking you in the ass

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LOL why? if it is the key then eff yeah thats not that expensive but I can't just "try" things that may not need to be replaced. the MAF and IAC needed cleaning anyway and that old fuel filter was the original so it needed to go as well. but I'm out of my league now on what im doing, it got towed this morning.

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Sold, I'm no longer one of you.

lol not for trying different things, i did that too. pain in the ass. just because your towing it to a shop and its gonna cost ya!

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THIS is exactly what happened to my truck when the alternator went bad.

Idled weird then shut off.

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If it is this than you can easily (and cheaply) test this. Buy a voltmeter/multimeter and test the output of the alternator while the truck us still running.

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Straight out of Haynes manual:
Engine starts but stops immediately
1. Loose or faulty electrical connections at distributor, coil or alternator
2. Fault in the fuel or electrical sysyems
3. Vacuum leak at the gasket surfaces of the intake manifold or throttle body. Make sure all mounting bolts/nuts are tightened securely and all vacuum hoses connected to manifold are positioned properly and in good condition.
Good luck!

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2001 Ford Ranger with the flare sides. 4x4 with a 4.0 engine. The only thing I did so far is: F/R Brakes, rotors, drums, F/R shocks, tires, bed cap, cone filter, hanger/shackles, F/P wheel bearing, upper control arm, lower ball joint, filler neck, fuel filter and DPFE sensor, muffler, sway bar links and spark plugs!

If that was the original filter, id put money on the pump.