1989 Ford Ranger Fuel Pump/ Fuel Sending Unit Replacement

Today I replace my fuel pump and fuel filter in my 1989 ford ranger 2.3 4x4. The truck was having hard start issues and would die under load.

[@stewartunderwood7867]

Thanks for taking the time to film this. My son and I performed this sending unit swap today by following your clear instructions. It worked great. Much appreciated.

[@LilBJessup]

I am really glad it helped!

[@gregtperkins9477]

Thankx...Great job!!!!don't forget to pay ur helper now!!!!

[@LilBJessup]

Always!

[@davidcrowson4745]

This was helpful and thank you

[@markalmand3744]

Like your Coor's shirt!

[@instigatedeye5941]

Thanks a bunch, this video is the best one I've seen, nothing worse than trying to watch a tutorial and the dude is saying "uhm" between every word, so thanks so much for not doing that and getting right to the point :)

[@LilBJessup]

Oh I say plenty of uhms, and ohs, but I edit them out! I am glad you enjoyed the video and I hoped it helped!

[@instigatedeye5941]

@@LilBJessup thank goodness for editing haha Your video helps a lot, I hope a new fuel pump will fix my rig. I'm less worried about removing the bed now that I saw how straight forward the process is. I also now have an idea about why my gas gauge quit working(even after filling the tank, the gauge still reads as empty)

[@instigatedeye5941]

@@LilBJessup the bonus to following your tutorial, is that I found the evap leak the smog guy told me about, such a stupidly easy fix, but I'm glad I found it, my state requires a smog check every two years.

[@keithhodge7502]

Thanks buddy. I'm new to the Range Nation and glad to have the virtual assistant!

[@dalethomas8838]

Thanks for the vid bud. Gonna tackle mine in the morning. 89 ranger. She has 422 thousand miles and i plan to keep her going. I love the little truck. And for the most part, it is easy to work on

[@LilBJessup]

Anytime! Glad it could help!

[@randygibbs3290]

Keep the old beater beating...save thousands of bucks per year...our rangers are easy to work on and good dudes like this show you just how easy it is..my 97 has 380k miles and runs great...best vehicle I have ever owned...right there with the 67 LeMans with the 326 way back in the day...

[@davidhenneman5505]

Awesome,doing mine today just gotta check on the gasket

[@davidhenneman5505]

Great video

[@willischin9072]

Thanks for showing details I wanted to see.

[@williambaldwin3835]

I have a Ford ranger that came from the year 1997. Very helpful and very clear.

[@FlashyB123]

Found my 88 ranger with only 50k miles plan on keeping her healthy thanks for the video

[@maxjet38]

Nice and simple. Thank You

[@clydesnow5971]

Great video!

[@LilBJessup]

Thanks! Hope it helped!

[@cheech1765]

Thank you for this video. was afraid to take this on.

[@LilBJessup]

You're welcome, I hope it helped!

[@danthedewman1]

have a dual tank 1988 ranger....gas gauge doesnt work, cant hardly get gas in the tanks ....super slow and wants to act like its over flowing...and the rear tank sometimes has gas coming out the fuel door like its back bleeding from one tank to the other maybe?..any ideas

[@daltoncavanaugh9950]

What sze torques bit isn't it a T55

[@BrooksFarms_est1950]

I’ve got an 88 I just used this for advice mine was different I got the pump out and will replace it when I get a chance in a few days Napa will have it in tomorrow

[@2003cvpi4life]

What size star bit do I need

[@akquicksilver]

Good job sir! thanks

[@LilBJessup]

Thank you and you're welcome

[@jaccourt9531]

You still have the truck.?

[@LilBJessup]

Yes

[@charliehampton3055]

I have a 1991 Ford ranger I replaced the pump because it went out but the new one the gauge isn't working do I need to set the float on the pump or something or any idea?

[@LilBJessup]

Sometimes the plugs get corroded, it may need to be cleaned and replugged in

[@DodgeDartAlaska]

Shop wants 280 to do this… definitely gunna get it done on my own and save some cash

[@akquicksilver]

Just got mine installed in my 90 Ranger and the gas gauge now works, but it is reading reverse. After buttoning everything up, I turned the key on and heard the pump spin, but the gauge is reading full and there is no gas in the tank. Maybe the manufacturer swaped the sending unit wires. Got to pull it back out and check. Thankfully, I haven't put my bed back on yet.

[@CharlesProchaska]

I am looking at helping a man with a 1985 Ranger, probably the fuel pump. You mentioned that those older models have an inline fuel pump. Does that mean it does not have the pump in the tank? Or are there 2 pumps on those vehicles? His vehicle stopped suddenly and he has no pressure at the engine, so we assume it is the pump, but will check fuses/relays first.

[@LilBJessup]

You should have one under the driver door and one in the tank, if it died all of a sudden I would replace the one under the door.

[@IsaacBrown-qn6lg]

@@LilBJessupwhat if it idles but not enough fuel to run with throttle

[@tman9338]

Thanks for the Vid. Got gas leak coming from the upper tank area and this seems like the easiest access to find the leak. Got an 88 Ranger GT (manual) with only 178K miles and it runs great. Wanna see if I can fix it myself. Where did get replacement parts ???

[@LilBJessup]

I get everything from rockauto. The leak is most likely the gasket around the fuel sending unit. It isnt too bad of a repair. I hope you get it fixed up!

[@tman9338]

@@LilBJessup pulled bed today. Got 88 Ranger and sending unit cap is metal - not plastic cover like yours (unless mine melted )Gas stain on sending unit cap.area (lower section) Ca’t see any leak. Filled tank up to filler neck. Still no leaks. Sending unit cap rusted on lower half.( where gas stain and smell were Blew out crap buildup on cap area. Looked like black gummy foam and stuck like gas. Still no signs of leaking. Gas smell gone once I blew out crap on sending unit seal area. (Lower portion). Any ideas??.

[@LilBJessup]

@@tman9338 On the 88 is the gas tank metal? I had an 1988 and it had a metal tank. What you described sounds like a leak coming out of the top of the fuel sending unit. You have to think about when the truck is in motion with fuel sloshing around. If the sending unit is rusted, it is most likely the problem. Also, visible gas leaks are hard to see because of how thin gas is. Stuff can make its way out of any cracks. Have you actually removed the sending unit to see if there was any debris under it?

[@tman9338]

@@LilBJessup yes the tank and sending unit are metal. Next step is to remove and replace sending unit. There was no more gas smell once I drove my tank to another 14 gal. Level. Definitely has gas stain localized on the lower portion of the sending unit seal. I just thought if I filled the tank to the neck and drove with the bed removed I could see or smell the source. No luck.

[@randygibbs3290]

Lolol...hey buddy...(cat walks off)...fast forward...mmm k...

[@Blacksmokezz]

the filter on my new sending unit won't stay on, is there a way to make it stay or should I just get a new one?

[@LilBJessup]

There should be a little ring that snaps onto the pump. If that ring is gone you might want to buy a new filter.

[@josephtennyson4348]

I wanna say a comical joke about the ford ranger is what power ranger is your ford ranger. Mine is a red 1998 ranger.

[@LilBJessup]

White 89! But I don't recall a white power ranger in 89 lol

[@skatemonster5034]

Very helpful thank you just one question how do you exactly prim the fuel pump?? Do you turn the key over and pump the gas peddle??

[@LilBJessup]

Just turn the key on and it will prime

[@skatemonster5034]

@@LilBJessup thank you for the help

[@LilBJessup]

@@skatemonster5034 you're welcome!

[@nilakirkman3967]

I'm doing this on my 87 ranger and my tank is a little different. Your new pump has the black and blue tabs where the lines attach, are there black and blue color markings on your lines? Mine are blue and yellow and it seems like the don't line up properly on the new pump according to the blue and yellow tabs and I'm wondering if they got switched by the manufacturer on accident or if it even matters.

[@LilBJessup]

I think the 87s had a frame mounted fuel pump if I am not mistaken

[@LilBJessup]

And the colors do not matter, as long as you get the supply and return lines right

[@nilakirkman3967]

@@LilBJessup Yeah I have an inline fuel pump and a hanging assembly like yours. How do I tell which line is which? Do you know by whether the end that connects is straight or at a right angle?

[@LilBJessup]

@@nilakirkman3967 Best bet would be to follow the line to the fuel pump. The one that goes to the fuel pump is the supply, which is the longest line on the fuel sender with the filter on the bottom.

[@diyneonguy3081]

Where did you get the fuel pump?

[@LilBJessup]

Rock auto

[@diyneonguy3081]

@@LilBJessup I can't find it on there.

[@Bruce_Wayne35]

@@LilBJessup Did your replacement kit include a new gasket? A Walbro replacement pump is $300, but I found the entire assembly for like $56 from a very well-known vendor.