Bad Fuel Pump?

Tiny
TIGUEPOTTER1
  • MEMBER
  • FORD RANGER
I have a 2003 2.3L Ford Ranger with only 50k miles and I am having (i believe to be a fuel delivery problem). I was driving fine around 65 to 70 mph on the highway.I then stopped, shut off engine, then about 5-10 minutes later went for a drive, once I shifted into 4th gear, the engine stopped responding to me, it was running, but the accelerator wouldn't do anything. As I down shifted I got no response. (It felt like the engine completely bogged out) ( as if really overloaded.) I coasted into a parking lot and let it idle for a second. It seemed to gather itself, so I checked the fuel line connections to the filter (which I just replaced 2 days ago). Everything was connected fine. So I pulled out and headed down the road again.1st gear fine, second fine, 3rd fine, 4th gear. Same thing happend, except this time I wasn't so lucky to let it coast and idle itself out. The truck died in the intersection and then wouldn't start. Once I pushed it into a parking lot, I started testing the fuel pump.
I opened the gas cap, turned the key, and I heard the whirrling noise, (like the pump was activating properly) So, then I disconnected the gas lines into the fuel filter, and had a friend turn the key to see if the pump was indeed 'pumping' gas.
I got no response! The pump didn't spit out any gas!
IS IT POSSIBLE FOR THE FUEL PUMP TO 'SOUND LIKE IT'S ON' WITHOUT ACTUALLY PUMPING?
Does it seem like there could be anything else causing this problem?
Would I hear the 'whirrling' 'whistle' sound if it were a fuse relay problem?
I checked the fuse and it was fine!
PLEASE HELP

-TY
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Thursday, March 22nd, 2007 AT 9:14 PM

26 Replies

Tiny
MERLIN2021
  • MECHANIC
  • 17,250 POSTS
Well if the filter was changed only a few days prior to all the trouble, Check to see if it is installed right, will only flow properly one way! This guide will show how to install the pump correctly.

https://www.2carpros.com/articles/how-to-replace-an-electric-fuel-pump

Check out the diagrams (Below). Please let us know what happens.
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Friday, March 23rd, 2007 AT 2:06 PM
Tiny
TIGUEPOTTER1
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Ok I found the problem, I have a late model 02 ranger, meaning made in nov. 02 but they call it an 03, Advance auto gave me a filter for a late model 03-04 model ranger. Switched it out. Runs like a dream
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Tuesday, March 27th, 2007 AT 5:06 PM
Tiny
JIM PRINCELL
  • MEMBER
  • 1 POST
  • 1998 FORD RANGER
  • 3.0L
  • 6 CYL
  • 2WD
  • AUTOMATIC
  • 170,000 MILES
Gas gauge stopped working. 3 days later acted like running out of gas stalled. Pump fuse good relay good no sound of pump by listening in tank. Bad fuel pump?
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Tuesday, November 24th, 2020 AT 8:48 AM (Merged)
Tiny
SATURNTECH9
  • MECHANIC
  • 30,870 POSTS
You have to make sure there is power and ground at the fuel pump while cranking the engine before saying the pump is bad. Also that truck should have a interia switch that shuts the pump off incase of a accident.
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Tuesday, November 24th, 2020 AT 8:48 AM (Merged)
Tiny
RICKBOB40
  • MEMBER
  • 9 POSTS
  • 1998 FORD RANGER
  • 4 CYL
  • 2WD
  • MANUAL
  • 90,000 MILES
Wont start. Fuel pump not running. Only 6 volts getting to pump. Snap on diag. Code reader says, "cant communicate w/vehicle computer". Auto-test aborted.>>>>>>>>Bad ecm?
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Tuesday, November 24th, 2020 AT 8:48 AM (Merged)
Tiny
RASMATAZ
  • MECHANIC
  • 75,992 POSTS
Unplug the inertia switch and check the voltage before the switch.
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Tuesday, November 24th, 2020 AT 8:48 AM (Merged)
Tiny
RICKBOB40
  • MEMBER
  • 9 POSTS
6.4 volts before switch thanks
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Tuesday, November 24th, 2020 AT 8:48 AM (Merged)
Tiny
RASMATAZ
  • MECHANIC
  • 75,992 POSTS
Test the fuel pump relay circuit going in and out
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Tuesday, November 24th, 2020 AT 8:48 AM (Merged)
Tiny
RICKBOB40
  • MEMBER
  • 9 POSTS
12 v in 12 v out of fuel pump relay thanks
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Tuesday, November 24th, 2020 AT 8:48 AM (Merged)
Tiny
RASMATAZ
  • MECHANIC
  • 75,992 POSTS
Check fuse no.9 20amp in the engine compartment fuse/relay box if okay

I want you to identify the wiring color on the fuel pump relay socket if able to jumper the lite blue and orange wire to the dark green and yellow and tell me if the fuel pump come on.


https://www.2carpros.com/forum/automotive_pictures/12900_fuel_pump_relay_29.jpg

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Tuesday, November 24th, 2020 AT 8:48 AM (Merged)
Tiny
RICKBOB40
  • MEMBER
  • 9 POSTS
Yes ! The pump turns on. Thanks
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Tuesday, November 24th, 2020 AT 8:48 AM (Merged)
Tiny
RICKBOB40
  • MEMBER
  • 9 POSTS
98 ranger. I did the jumper at relay socket 9. * Lt. Blue orange to Dk. Green yellow. W relay on top of jumper, pump is on constant. *Nothing w/out relay jumper only.*Fuel pressure shut off non op. *W new relay, no jumper? No pump. >What next? Raz.. Thanks much
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Tuesday, November 24th, 2020 AT 8:48 AM (Merged)
Tiny
GH0ST R3C0N
  • MEMBER
  • 18 POSTS
  • 1995 FORD RANGER
  • 2.3L
  • 4 CYL
  • 2WD
  • MANUAL
  • 304,550 MILES
I recently changed the plugs, coil packs and wires to my ignition system and I’m now not getting any spark. I also have no fuel pressure. The fuel filter has been changed. The fuel pump does not prime when the truck is turned on but you can hear it running while it is cranking. I have tried to take the bed off to get a better look at the pump and cannot remove the two bed bolts near the cab. I don’t want to drop the tank do to the fact that I’m not skilled enough to do that. I’m a DYIer and I’m stumped. I just want my truck to run again. Please help me figure this out.
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Tuesday, November 24th, 2020 AT 8:48 AM (Merged)
Tiny
RASMATAZ
  • MECHANIC
  • 75,992 POSTS
Red wire on the fuel pump relay socket check for power turn on the key-should have power if not test the PCM relay-power present test the computer controlled circuit of the relay this is the one that grounds the relay
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Tuesday, November 24th, 2020 AT 8:48 AM (Merged)
Tiny
ASEMASTER6371
  • MECHANIC
  • 52,797 POSTS
Good afternoon,

If the fuel pump runs when cranking and not for the two second prime with the key on, that is an ECM fault.

https://www.2carpros.com/articles/how-to-check-fuel-system-pressure-and-regulator

Did you verify power to the coil packs? I will attach a wiring diagram for you to view to do the testing.

https://www.2carpros.com/articles/how-to-test-an-ignition-system

When you crank the engine, does the tachometer move up a little? that will tell us if the crank sensor is working.

https://www.2carpros.com/articles/symptoms-of-a-bad-crankshaft-sensor

Roy
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Tuesday, November 24th, 2020 AT 8:48 AM (Merged)
Tiny
GH0ST R3C0N
  • MEMBER
  • 18 POSTS
I do not have a separate ECM, and I do not have power to the coils I was told, and I don’t have an rpm gauge on my instrument cluster. I don’t do much work with wiring do to the fact of how important it is for the operation of the vehicle and I think it could be a fault in the wiring for the fuel pump really because sometimes it would prime other times it wouldn’t.
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Tuesday, November 24th, 2020 AT 8:48 AM (Merged)
Tiny
GH0ST R3C0N
  • MEMBER
  • 18 POSTS
I also have ignition coil packs. Two of them to be exact because it’s a two plug per cylinder so I do not know where to start looking for because of no power to the coil packs.
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Tuesday, November 24th, 2020 AT 8:48 AM (Merged)
Tiny
ASEMASTER6371
  • MECHANIC
  • 52,797 POSTS
Yes, you do have a separate computer it is called an engine control module or PCM. It controls the fuel mapping of the fuel system.

The red/light green wire for the coils is powered by the interior fuse box with the fuse listed in the diagram I sent you.

Did you verify power on both sides of the fuse with the key on?

Roy
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Tuesday, November 24th, 2020 AT 8:48 AM (Merged)
Tiny
GH0ST R3C0N
  • MEMBER
  • 18 POSTS
I haven’t been able to fully check that because I don’t have experience with electrical work on vehicles. The relay doesn’t click when you take it out or put it back in and I don’t have a fuel pump fuse. I was thinking of an ICM. Sorry I got that confused. I also have no spark and I’m not getting power to the coil packs and those are new as well as the plugs and wires.
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Tuesday, November 24th, 2020 AT 8:48 AM (Merged)
Tiny
ASEMASTER6371
  • MECHANIC
  • 52,797 POSTS
Okay, again, did you test for power to each coil pack with the wire listed in the diagram? You need a voltmeter or test light.

It is the red/light green wire.

Roy
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Tuesday, November 24th, 2020 AT 8:48 AM (Merged)

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