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-   -   1988 Ford Ranger 6 cyl 2.9 won't start when warm (http://www.fordrangerforum.com/2-9-liter-tech/49973-1988-ford-ranger-6-cyl-2-9-wont-start-warm.html)

consolegoddess 12-27-2011 03:09 PM

1988 Ford Ranger 6 cyl 2.9 won't start when warm
 
I have a 1988 Ranger Fuel Injected V6 Manual I bought new with 170K miles now and it has developed this not starting thing when the weather is warm. All winter it starts right up. Only when the weather is warm. It cranks but won't turn over. If I touch the gas at the right time it starts and runs fine. Once in a while it will stall when idle. Logic tells me something is expanding when it's warm causing the problem. Does that make any sense to you car guys? I remember a bunch of years ago had trouble starting and someone mentioned changing the inertia switch and it fixed the problem. It's been too many years to recall if it was the same problem. I also have a thread going about stalling in neutral when the high beams switch to low beams and vice versa. Could they be related, possibly the voltage regulator?

peppy121 12-27-2011 08:06 PM

Re: 1988 Ford Ranger 6 cyl 2.9 won't start when warm
 
two thing

ONE that aint nothing my truck got atleast 186000 well got it check for sure but astleast that much

TWO what have you checked ?

ChrisHanson1993 02-19-2012 02:04 AM

Re: 1988 Ford Ranger 6 cyl 2.9 won't start when warm
 
i have a similar problem with my 89 2.9L v6, when the engine is cold it has no problem starting but when the engine is hot or warm when i go to start it it will crank for like 10 seconds before the engine will turn over

xminnis 02-21-2012 01:26 PM

Re: 1988 Ford Ranger 6 cyl 2.9 won't start when warm
 
I had this on a Chevy before. Tore my hair out replacing part after part then decided to change the fuel pump and relay and wallah, never had the problem again. Something tells me it was only the relay acting up when it got hot though so try that first.

88jerranger 02-23-2012 10:30 AM

Re: 1988 Ford Ranger 6 cyl 2.9 won't start when warm
 
When i first bought my 88 Ranger i would drive it and about 10 to 20 miles later it would just turn off and i would have to wait about 30 mins to drive again.
so mabay this will help you.
Their is a Chip on the back of the distributor call a TFI Chip or something like that
it needs some clear electrical grease on it be cause when it drys up something happens
im not sure exactly how this works but it works for me and i haddent had a problem since
oh and you will need to buy the removal tool i bought one from nappa and it was like 5 bucks.
Good Luck

ChrisHanson1993 02-26-2012 03:28 PM

Re: 1988 Ford Ranger 6 cyl 2.9 won't start when warm
 
Quote:

Originally Posted by 88jerranger (Post 773501)
When i first bought my 88 Ranger i would drive it and about 10 to 20 miles later it would just turn off and i would have to wait about 30 mins to drive again.
so mabay this will help you.
Their is a Chip on the back of the distributor call a TFI Chip or something like that
it needs some clear electrical grease on it be cause when it drys up something happens
im not sure exactly how this works but it works for me and i haddent had a problem since
oh and you will need to buy the removal tool i bought one from nappa and it was like 5 bucks.
Good Luck

are you talking about the little plug on the back of the distributor. and i was able to remove the distributer cap and plug with out a special tool

sirfunkeybut 02-26-2012 03:36 PM

The TFI is a grey rectangular box that screws to your distributor below where the cap seats, TFI I believe stands for thick film integration system

RangerDangerXLT 02-26-2012 03:44 PM

Re: 1988 Ford Ranger 6 cyl 2.9 won't start when warm
 
i had a similar problem, i replaced the fuel pump but it kept happening, so i took it to get checked, they said it was the fuse ,replaced the fuse and havent had a problem since

ChrisHanson1993 02-27-2012 12:38 AM

Re: 1988 Ford Ranger 6 cyl 2.9 won't start when warm
 
Quote:

Originally Posted by RangerDangerXLT (Post 778435)
i had a similar problem, i replaced the fuel pump but it kept happening, so i took it to get checked, they said it was the fuse ,replaced the fuse and havent had a problem since

which fuse was it because those are cheap and i would probally try this 1st

sirfunkeybut 02-27-2012 03:00 AM

I didn't think there was a fuse, but there is a relay. It should be on the passenger side right behind the wheel well. At least that's where mine was and it was green but colors may vary

ChrisHanson1993 02-27-2012 04:12 AM

Re: 1988 Ford Ranger 6 cyl 2.9 won't start when warm
 
Quote:

Originally Posted by sirfunkeybut (Post 779476)
I didn't think there was a fuse, but there is a relay. It should be on the passenger side right behind the wheel well. At least that's where mine was and it was green but colors may vary

half of the electrical connections on my ranger looks like some one just jerry rigged it up and idk what goes to what

sirfunkeybut 02-27-2012 07:00 AM

Mine was the same, I found a pinout diagram and traced every wire from the PCM. It shouldn't to to hard to find the three relays, I'll take a picture in a little bit and show what mine looks like for comparison

consolegoddess 02-28-2012 08:52 AM

Re: 1988 Ford Ranger 6 cyl 2.9 won't start when warm
 
I have a Chilton guide and the instructions to grease the TFI Ignition Module which I'd share if I could figure out how to attach a .pdf. As far as the relay goes, I'm not sure where to look for it in the book. Found a chart of the fuses but all were regarding the chassis electrical system.

ChrisHanson1993 03-02-2012 02:43 AM

Re: 1988 Ford Ranger 6 cyl 2.9 won't start when warm
 
Quote:

Originally Posted by consolegoddess (Post 781421)
I have a Chilton guide and the instructions to grease the TFI Ignition Module which I'd share if I could figure out how to attach a .pdf. As far as the relay goes, I'm not sure where to look for it in the book. Found a chart of the fuses but all were regarding the chassis electrical system.

i have the chiltons manual what page is it on and also ive noticed that since i removed my muffler it starts up faster is there any relation to that

consolegoddess 03-03-2012 08:15 AM

Re: 1988 Ford Ranger 6 cyl 2.9 won't start when warm
 
The TFI Module is on page 3-3. The fuses are on 6-47. There is a module in the fuse panel called the R.A.B.S. Module and I don't know what that is. Other than that I couldn't find anything in the book about relays.

FordDude1991 03-03-2012 08:49 AM

Re: 1988 Ford Ranger 6 cyl 2.9 won't start when warm
 
Quote:

Originally Posted by sirfunkeybut (Post 778417)
The TFI is a grey rectangular box that screws to your distributor below where the cap seats, TFI I believe stands for thick film integration system

stands for True Fire Ignition

Psychopete 03-03-2012 12:35 PM

Re: 1988 Ford Ranger 6 cyl 2.9 won't start when warm
 
Thick Film Ignition

ChrisHanson1993 03-05-2012 01:36 AM

Re: 1988 Ford Ranger 6 cyl 2.9 won't start when warm
 
i dont care what it stands for i just want advice on fixin it

sirfunkeybut 03-05-2012 02:26 AM

Have you checked the coil? They are known to crack and after warm up the quit working until they cool back down. Both the TFI and the coil can be tested at autozone, make sure to have the coil warmed up just before testing

RangerDangerXLT 03-09-2012 10:33 AM

Re: 1988 Ford Ranger 6 cyl 2.9 won't start when warm
 
there should be a fuse for the fuel pump, if not then its the relay

ChrisHanson1993 03-11-2012 07:22 AM

Re: 1988 Ford Ranger 6 cyl 2.9 won't start when warm
 
Quote:

Originally Posted by sirfunkeybut (Post 791969)
Have you checked the coil? They are known to crack and after warm up the quit working until they cool back down. Both the TFI and the coil can be tested at autozone, make sure to have the coil warmed up just before testing

is the tfi module the big plug mounted to the passenger side of the distributor or is it the tiny one towards the front of the distributor behind the air intake

also i looked at the coil and the coil had a little corrosion on the metal that the wire from the distributor goes to which i sanded off

sirfunkeybut 03-11-2012 09:26 PM

1 Attachment(s)
Here's what the TFI looks like. You can remove it with I believe is a 5.5 socket or somewhere around that size and take it to autozone to test it.

sirfunkeybut 03-11-2012 09:34 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by consolegoddess
The TFI Module is on page 3-3. The fuses are on 6-47. There is a module in the fuse panel called the R.A.B.S. Module and I don't know what that is. Other than that I couldn't find anything in the book about relays.

RABS stands for rear antilock brake system.

----------

I also just noticed that you said you removed your muffler, have you checked the cats? Maybe they are starting to plug up and are creating to much back pressure

Psychopete 03-12-2012 08:35 AM

Re: 1988 Ford Ranger 6 cyl 2.9 won't start when warm
 
the 5.5mm socket will need ground down, some are security torx. There is a TFI tool that has a 5.5mm end and a T-20 end. Some take a hair drier with them to heat it up for testing. It's recommended that the pick up in dist is replaced with TFI if it's bad, but a pain to do. I would check codes in the computer system, ECT can cause this issue among many other things. That is what it's there for, use it.

SLR_65 03-15-2012 07:34 PM

Re: 1988 Ford Ranger 6 cyl 2.9 won't start when warm
 
I have a similar problem with my '92 V6 3.0 5 speed. When I go to work in the morning it's 40 degrees out and it starts and runs fine all the way to work. When I get off work it's been in the 70s and it's hard to start and sputters when it does - giving it some gas and letting it warm up a bit seems to cure it and it's good to go all the way home. Once I get home and try to restart it it runs fine again - it's just when it sits for a bit and the ambient temp is around 70 that it has problems. Really odd. If it were carbureted I'd want to check the choke mechanism, is there a sensor or something on these that tells the computer when/how much to choke the engine?

Psychopete 03-16-2012 12:32 PM

Re: 1988 Ford Ranger 6 cyl 2.9 won't start when warm
 
no choke on these things. ECT sends coolant temperature readings to the computer to enrich the mixture when it's colder, IAT reads air temp also. They can also effect timing. There's a BAP in the MAP sensor, so it can have a good idea of how dense the air is depending on temp altitude and temp. Short answer is to check the computer for codes. ECT and IAT can be tested with a DMM, MAP deals with frequencies if your meter can read that. I would probably start there if I were able to replicate it, codes, then checking output of those sensors.

http://www.oldfuelinjection.com

dangerranger42 04-30-2012 06:03 AM

Re: 1988 Ford Ranger 6 cyl 2.9 won't start when warm
 
Their is a Chip on the back of the distributor call a TFI Chip or something like that
it needs some clear electrical grease on it be cause when it drys up something happens

drlambert100 06-11-2012 07:39 PM

Re: 1988 Ford Ranger 6 cyl 2.9 won't start when warm
 
Quote:

Originally Posted by sirfunkeybut (Post 778417)
The TFI is a grey rectangular box that screws to your distributor below where the cap seats, TFI I believe stands for thick film integration system

TFI stands for "Thin Film Ignition"

----------

I have had the same problem with three older Fords I have owned. The first was a 1984 Bronco II, then a 1989 Escort wagon. Finally, my 1988 Ranger GT. I have replaced the TFI module in my GT twice now. The problem has re-surfaced and now the starter is toast too, won't even turn over. Solenoid clicks, it's new. I suspect the "hall effect" module inside the distributor is now the problem with it not restarting when warm. These EEC IV systems were notorious for this due to heat at the back of the engine.

lykarock 07-07-2012 05:05 PM

Re: 1988 Ford Ranger 6 cyl 2.9 won't start when warm
 
My first post. Wondering if Chris got his problem resolved. I have similar problem. 1989 Ford Ranger, 2.9L Fuel Injection: WON'T STAY RUNNING!: After truck sputtered & died, and confirming I had spark and could run on fuel mist sprayed into intake; I changed the fuel pump, suction filter, and inline filter. After re-pressurizing the fuel lines (I heard the pump run briefly each time) the truck started fine and I drove it off the blocks and parked it. 1/2 hr later truck started and didn't make it out of the driveway (again.) Added "heat" and more gas. Truck started, ran rough (fast & slow rpm's by itself), smoothed out, then didn't make it out of driveway again. Turns over but won't run. Next evening, started...died 1/2way down driveway. Now WON'T start, can't hear fuel pump run, AND I tried to bleed any air left in the fuel lines at the valve-stem on the distribution manifold. All to no avail. Any other ideas? Fuel pressure regulator? Choke? Have confirmed NO power to or out of inertia switch. Want to check fuel pump relay (30amp fuse at power distribution box is OK) but CAN'T find the relay without stripping the covers off a bunch of harness. Can anyone tell me WHERE to find the relay? I'll also try the TFI

Stewgibb 08-03-2012 03:57 PM

Re: 1988 Ford Ranger 6 cyl 2.9 won't start when warm
 
I just bought an 88 2.9 with 68K miles and the fuel pump relay was intermittent. I still have problems getting fuel in if anyone has any suggestions. I hate siphoning gas in and only using the top 7 gallons,


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