Hello everyone! I'm new to forums, so this is my first post ever.

I have a 94 Ranger 2.3 (Manual) and this week it has stopped on me twice. Both time it was about 30 - 40 degrees. Going to work I had no problem, on the way home it gets about 2 miles out, starts sputtering, if I press on the gas, it dies. This happens in every gear. Today it is warm out, I have replaced the fuel filter, cleaned the MAF and the sensor on the intake manifold and a full tank of gas. I have an aftermarket cold air intake on here as well. The fuel pump turns on for about 2-3 seconds and stops. After about two to three attempts to turn it on, it will fire up, sputter, then die again. I am unable to bring it to my nearest parts house to check codes. Found one leak on the vacuum line, but I fixed it, did not resolve the issue. I just need some advise before I spend any more money on parts that I may not need. I have also followed the Haynes troubleshooting and still can't figure it out.
Thanks again. Wil

 

Your fuel pump could be going bad. I would check the fuel pressure. BTW, since you mentioned checking codes - is the check engine light on?

 

https://www.ranger-forums.com/f13/i-...e-codes-58160/

 

i also think you should check the fuel pump.

 

OK after speaking with a couple of people I am now limited to these three things.

1. Fuel Pump
2. Fuel Pressure Regulator
3. Ignition Coil

Fuel Pump: This makes a lot of sense, as I did find some black settlement in the old fuel filter.

Fuel Pressure Regulator: ?

Ignition Coil: After investigating I found that the cold air intake had pressed up against the Ignition Coil and bent the one spark plug wire going into the coil. I snapped it back into place, started the truck and it ran for about 7-10 mins and died. Same thing happens.

[Dumb question] Do you guys think I may have ruined the coil or did I just get lucky?

Thanks again for you advise, it is appreciated!

 

I'll have to check again to see if the check engine light is on.

 

After it dies and you try to restart it, does it try to start...or does it just crank over and seem like you're just not getting any spark or fuel at all? If it just cranks over real smooth and doesn't seem like it's getting either spark/fuel, I'd try using a spark tester on one of the spark plug wires to check for ignition. To run the amount of time that it does before it dies almost seems like an electrical part heating up. Perhaps a coil or ignition module? But that's only if you lose spark when it dies.

 

When I plugged the spark plug firmly back into the coil, that is when it ran for about 7-10 mins before it died. Whenever I attempt to start it, it sounds like it should start. I've noticed that It will "fire" every 3 or 4 attempt to start.