88 Ranger fuel pump relay?

[kenb]

Hi all, I was wondering if anyone out there has any information about a
fuel pump relay in my 88 Ranger. It has the 2.3 litre fuel injected four
cylinder engine, which quit suddenly on the highway recently due to the
failure of the low pressure fuel pump in the tank. I removed the offending
unit and confirmed it didn't work by putting power to it on the bench, so I
replaced the pump and reinstalled the tank.
It started right up and ran as smooth as you please, but after a few
minutes of driving it was obvious that it was having trouble getting fuel,
until it degraded to the point that it won't keep running for any longer
than ten or fifteen seconds. That's where I stand now, it starts right up
and runs smoothly until it runs out of gas and stalls, and then it will
restart immediately only to repeat the same routine again. I suspected that
the high pressure pump was also shot, but if it is, I'm confused as to how
it's generating enough fuel pressure to start in the first place.
A co-worker mentioned having a similar experience with his car (make &
model unknown) which turned out to be a faulty fuel pump relay, causing it
to behave the same way. I've checked the wiring diagrams in my Haynes truck
manual, but they seem to have omitted all details about fuel pump wiring.
Does anybody know if the Ranger has such a component, or if there are any
other potential electrical causes that frequently occur on this vehicle?

Of course, it's quite possible that the cause is none of the above, so
I'd appreciate any pointers from anyone who has been there!

Thanks
Ken

[fox...@digitaldune.net]

You should have a fuel pump relay. Check if you have a fuse box under the hood,
if you do most likely your relay is in there.

[Steve R.]

Ken, I'm going to tell you an experience I had with an identical
problem and how it was solved. However, I want to point out this
was many years ago and the vehicle was a demented, but new, '75
Chevy LUV pickup. It did exactly as you stated. It would start,
run until the carb ran out of gas, and die. That took only two or
three minutes. It would immediately restart, then do the same
thing. Over and over again. The GM service dimbulbs replaced the
fuel pump several times and it never solved the problem. They
finally told me they don't know anything else to try, but when
they'd jump power directly to the fuel pump it would work fun.
They suggested rigging a permanent jumper, believe it or not. I
got hold of an electrical wiring diagram and discovered there are
two electrical circuits: 1) starting, and 2) running. Obviously
the starting circuit works fine but the running one doesn't. I
don't recall now the routing of the starting circuit but noticed
the running circuit went through the voltage regulator box. The
board in the v.r. had two separate circuits. One was the regular
v.r. The other apparently was a relay to the fuel pump from the
"running" circuit. When the key was in "start" position, a
different circuit was used. I don't know the reason. I convinced
them to try a new v.r. box and the problem was solved. If you can
locate a wiring diagram, you might see if there are separate
wiring circuits for starting and running. Then you can locate the
likely culprit(s).

steve r

"kenb" <ke...@sympatico.ca> wrote in message
news:lmHt7.1672$S_6.1...@news20.bellglobal.com...

[Paul Fidler]

This could be a million things, but Ill tell you my story:
A couple weeks ago coming home in my 88 F250, it started to stall and would
have if I applied any gas. I kinda idled home. Anyhow, I suspected the fuel
pump (replaced it), the fuel pump relay (replaced it), the fuel pump relay
connector (replaced it). Then I looked it the coil. It just LOOKED bad, so I
replaced it and that cured it.
Try it, my sympyoms are similar to yours. Also keep in mind in trucks this
old, wire rot is VERY common. Look for the green corrosion at the
connectors, and replace or rewire.
Good luck, and let us know what cures it!
Paul