Truck Repair: 96 ranger v-6 (3.0) - fuel pump not working, electric fuel pump, inertia switch

Question
Hi - The truck was running and starting fine. Went to start it up to go home, and it just turned over, won't start.

I believe that I have it mostly figured out. I don't hear the fuel pump when I turn on the ignition.

- checked the inertia switch as best that I could: the button was pushed in, but I toggled it back and forth and checked for continuity - 3 connections, marked as NO-C-NC, which I assume is "normally open-C-normally closed".

With the button in, the circuit is continuous between C and "normally closed", and with the button out, the circuit is continuous between "normally open" and C. I checked the voltage across the wires that go to C and NC, and I see 12V. I think all is well there..., but I don't quite understand why 3 wires...

- On to the fuel pump: not very accessible, ouch; I want to see if there is voltage at the electric fuel pump mounted on the top of the plastic tank. The problem that I have, is that I don't understand how to get the wires off of the pump! There are little pieces of soft rubber near the connector for each wire. Can I take these wires off somehow to check for voltage? I'll have to look at a wiring diagram, because I would have expected 2 wires, 12V and ground, but there are more.

If it turns out that there is voltage at the pump and it still doesn't pump (can't hear a thing) then is there anything else to look at, assuming that the connections are good?

btw, I checked the fuse, and it is good.

Thanks!  

Answer
First, get under the truck, and just as someone turns the key to run, or crank, smack the bottom of the tank with the palm of your hand. Just about under the center of the tank, and about as hard as you can stand.

If the pump is jared loose, and takes off running, you will probably need a pump.

The reason for all the wires at the tank is the gauge sender wires are there also.

I think all is well at your inertia switch.

Now, you may have a filter up under the drivers seat area, bolted to the frame. If it is plugged up, the pump may be getting power, but just not run due to that filter, so I would check that filter first.

Van