Chaoslost
New Member
- Joined
- Nov 8, 2021
- Messages
- 23
- Reaction score
- 9
- Points
- 3
- Location
- San Antonio, TX
- Vehicle Year
- 1993
- Make / Model
- Ford Ranger XLT
- Engine Type
- 2.3 (4 Cylinder)
- Transmission
- Manual
- My credo
- Enjoy a little Chaos
Howdy! I'm a learn as you go fix-it-all kinda mom, please forgive me if I don't know terms of things I've got a '93 Ranger that won't start.
Let's start at the beginning, shall we?
Not too long ago we purchased the Danger Ranger from a lady that had had it for years. She just couldn't get it started anymore. I'm fairly decent (I think) at getting things started so I went over to look at it. She told me she thought something was fucky with one of the fuses and that neither she nor three other mechanics she knew could get it to start. They'd replaced the starter, solenoid/relay, and a few other things but couldn't get it to do anything.
The "fuse" she was talking about was the Diode. Diode was fine but the wire it's supposed to make contact with inside the distribution box had pushed through and wasn't connecting. Their answer? They shoved a gum wrapper in the hole. I mean... I guess that works? I pulled the wire out the rest of the way, flipped the diode around and hung it off the side of the box. That "fixed" one issue. The relay wasn't clicking either, no power getting to the starter. Jumped the relay with a screwdriver and she started to turn. Primed the fuel a few times and she roared to life. Ran like a dream. Just had to start it with a screwdriver. No big deal.
Drove her home only to find out the fuel gauge didn't work. Ran out of gas. After throwing in some go-go juice, and giving her a screwdriver special, we made it back to the house. She's started a few times, but now she doesn't want to start.
Things we've done since then:
Questions:
Let's start at the beginning, shall we?
Not too long ago we purchased the Danger Ranger from a lady that had had it for years. She just couldn't get it started anymore. I'm fairly decent (I think) at getting things started so I went over to look at it. She told me she thought something was fucky with one of the fuses and that neither she nor three other mechanics she knew could get it to start. They'd replaced the starter, solenoid/relay, and a few other things but couldn't get it to do anything.
The "fuse" she was talking about was the Diode. Diode was fine but the wire it's supposed to make contact with inside the distribution box had pushed through and wasn't connecting. Their answer? They shoved a gum wrapper in the hole. I mean... I guess that works? I pulled the wire out the rest of the way, flipped the diode around and hung it off the side of the box. That "fixed" one issue. The relay wasn't clicking either, no power getting to the starter. Jumped the relay with a screwdriver and she started to turn. Primed the fuel a few times and she roared to life. Ran like a dream. Just had to start it with a screwdriver. No big deal.
Drove her home only to find out the fuel gauge didn't work. Ran out of gas. After throwing in some go-go juice, and giving her a screwdriver special, we made it back to the house. She's started a few times, but now she doesn't want to start.
Things we've done since then:
- Changed the Solenoid again
- Fixed the Diode wire and closed back up the PDB
- Bypassed the clutch switch Eventually, I'll get a new clutch switch installed. (Now the engine turns with the key instead of a screwdriver)
Questions:
- What is the likelihood the inertia switch is bad and can I test it? Since I hear the fuel pump engaging, is that even something I need to look at?
- Crank Position Sensor - I read in another post about the CPS and how it might be faulty. Where is it and how can I test it?
- Any other suggestions?