Engine shut off while driving, it cranks but does not start

Tiny
CMHARLOW0010
  • MEMBER
  • 1998 FORD RANGER
  • 4 CYL
  • 2WD
  • AUTOMATIC
  • 200,000 MILES
Alright guys I'm lost. I have the truck listed above that ran decently before a week ago. Every now and then it would sputter but not a big deal. I lent it to a uncle and he got to the end of the road and it quit running. I've been checking stuff I haven't ever worked on a Ford. Originally I thought it was the fuel filter or pump. It turns over but wont fire like at all. I changed the fuel filter so far I have a before and after of the gas in a bottle it was nasty on the before. I've checked the spark. It does spark but the two coil packs and eight plugs on a four cylinder just makes my head hurt. I ran a diagnostic for the check engine light. It came up a p0000 code which means it couldn't finish the diagnosis. Any help is appreciated.
Monday, February 25th, 2019 AT 6:44 AM

11 Replies

Tiny
CMHARLOW0010
  • MEMBER
  • 7 POSTS
This is the before and after of the gas out of the filter.
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Monday, February 25th, 2019 AT 6:46 AM
Tiny
CMHARLOW0010
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  • 7 POSTS
Spark.
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Monday, February 25th, 2019 AT 6:47 AM
Tiny
ASEMASTER6371
  • MECHANIC
  • 52,797 POSTS
Good evening,

The fuel condition looks bad. I am concerned it may have got to the injectors and clogged them with dirt.

Did you test the fuel pressure?

https://www.2carpros.com/articles/how-to-check-fuel-system-pressure-and-regulator

Roy
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Monday, February 25th, 2019 AT 2:58 PM
Tiny
CMHARLOW0010
  • MEMBER
  • 7 POSTS
Plan on doing that tonight. I got the wrong pressure gauge the other day. I'll let you know later this afternoon.
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Monday, February 25th, 2019 AT 3:03 PM
Tiny
ASEMASTER6371
  • MECHANIC
  • 52,797 POSTS
Sounds like a plan.

Roy
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Monday, February 25th, 2019 AT 3:05 PM
Tiny
CMHARLOW0010
  • MEMBER
  • 7 POSTS
Any idea what the pressure is supposed to be? 65?
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Monday, February 25th, 2019 AT 3:06 PM
Tiny
ASEMASTER6371
  • MECHANIC
  • 52,797 POSTS
Spec

Fuel Pressure. 441 ± 55 kPa (64 ± 8 psi)

Roy
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Monday, February 25th, 2019 AT 3:14 PM
Tiny
CMHARLOW0010
  • MEMBER
  • 7 POSTS
Alright guys here's where I'm at. I went a bought a new tester $166.00 at AutoZone. I kid you not lol. Put it on turned it over and absolutely no pressure on the gauge. Even when I push on the Schrader valve it only squirts a little bit then nothing else until I turn the key on again. Not sure if that normal I would think it would show a little because when I changed the filter I had it squirting into a bottle and I can hear the gas go through the filter. Also, when I found all that out I even shot a squirt of starting fluid into the manifold to try to get any kind of a fire absolutely nothing. Am I wrong to think that it should I hit or backfired or something with the spray? I'm lost.
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Monday, February 25th, 2019 AT 5:16 PM
Tiny
ASEMASTER6371
  • MECHANIC
  • 52,797 POSTS
You may have a bad fuel pump.

All that dirt may have failed the pump.

The pump should work cranking.

Roy
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Monday, February 25th, 2019 AT 5:24 PM
Tiny
CMHARLOW0010
  • MEMBER
  • 7 POSTS
But what about the starting spray? Shouldn't it hit a little?
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Monday, February 25th, 2019 AT 5:27 PM
Tiny
ASEMASTER6371
  • MECHANIC
  • 52,797 POSTS
Depends on how much you use. Spray it into the air filter and see if it starts and stalls.

Roy
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Tuesday, February 26th, 2019 AT 2:32 PM

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