QuestionQUESTION: So I was leaving for work today and my truck ('00 Ford Ranger V6 3.0 - Manual Transmission) started right up. I needed to throw something away so I kicked it in neutral and rolled back to my dumpster. After pitching the trash out the window I dropped it in first and the engine started cutting out and eventually died. After that I couldn't get the truck started at all. It would turn over but it would never actually start. Sounded kind of like a timing problem, but I called dear ol' dad and he reccomended splashing some gas in the carb, which got the truck to start up, but only until the gas was gone.
The truck has a quarter tank of gas in it, the battery is good, connections are tight. What I'm starting to conclude is a fuel filter or fuel pump, or maybe just a clog in the lines. Hopefully not a fuel pump, as I hear that's a pain to change.
Anyway, the truck would get shakey without fuel splashed in the carb after turning it over, I pumped the gas and even pinned it at one point during the turn over and none of that helped.
Also, not quite sure if this has any relation, but I've noticed that my truck does not go past 75 mph unless I am going downhill. I have never seen the speedometer go above 80, even going downhill and holding the gas to the floor. There's no governor on the truck that I am aware of, and if there is I can't imagine it would come stock at 75? My dad's 4-banger Tacoma goes 90 and still has plenty of pedal left in it, and mine's a V6 topping out at 75?!
ANSWER: You're truck doesn't have a "carb." It's fuel injected. I've seen people before like this swear there is "x" amount of gas in the vehicle. I tell you what, for the sake of doing it. Grab a couple of gallons of gas and put in the tank. Not too much because you may wind up dropping the tank for fuel pump removal. The fuel gauge could be off. Start by changing the fuel filter. Hook up a fuel pressure gauge unless you don't hear the pump coming on. Also, check the inertia switch.
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QUESTION: I ended up dropping the tank today after replacing a fuel filter and shooting air through all of the gas lines. I always hear the pump coming on when I turn the key, yet when I disconnect the gas lines at the fuel filter and turn the engine over no gas comes out, even with the fuel inertia switch plugged in/reset. I added 4 gallons or so to the tank (in addition to the just under a quarter reading I was getting from the gas gauge). Anyway, I want to think ahead and say what if replacing the fuel pump tomorrow doesn't fix my problem? What would you think it is... Wiring (even though the fuel pump can be heard when you turn the key on)? Also, could the fuel pump be the reason I top out at 75 mph and lack some horsepower?
ANSWER: If you here the pump come on and no gas comes out then you have found you're problem. However, just for the sake of argument, voltage test the fuel pump wiring connection. This will let us know for a fact that you're trip to the parts store will not be in vein. Good luck, you are almost there, let me know how it runs.
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QUESTION: Just an update, I bought the pump today but didn't really make progress. When I was removing the fuel pump sending unit there was a wire connected to something that I broke pulling out. I don't know what the name of this part is, so I've to find that one out before I can go any further.
Here are some pictures I have:
1)
http://i31.photobucket.com/albums/c362/ImmortalFreak91/100_0638.jpg
Notice the hole where something used to be. The only parts I can find out there are the ones sitting in the picture. The 2 black plastic pieces and that brown piece. I have no idea what those things are.
2)
http://i31.photobucket.com/albums/c362/ImmortalFreak91/100_0639.jpg
As you can see I have the broken piece in the hole the way it used to be, or the way I thought it used to be rather. Of course that brown piece laying to the side goes on the other side of the broken black piece. Also, the wire with the yellow connector connects to the broken piece, and that's originally where I broke it.
Any idea what the broken piece is called?\
Also, not that it really matters too much anymore, but would the fuel pump be hit and miss like it was? Like I was able to start it easily right before it shut off on me. Then the next day it started up easy, I got it up on ramps, then after I replaced the filter it wouldn't start again. Maybe gas was draining into the filter over night and that caused the engine to get just enough gas to run for the minute or so it took me to get the truck on ramps?
AnswerI don't know if that is the sending unit or not, it looks like it. Here is what you are suppose to look like if this helps.
http://i289.photobucket.com/albums/ll223/james_corn/Boschfuelpumpassembly.jpg
You will probably need to go ahead and get the entire assembly from the parts store. Fin you're wheelbase specs. because they matter.
