86 Ford Ranger 2.3L TurboDiesel won't start

Check the firing order.

https://www.google.com/search?q=1986+Ford+Ranger+firing+order

Check for fuel starvation.

https://www.google.com/search?q=1986+ford+ranger+starts+then+dies+after+starting&

..

Tune up?

I had a problem with my 86 bronco II, 2.9EFI. Found it to be the water temp sensor. To test, after warm up, unplug sensor and place a jumper wire between contacts on harness. Sensor is behind upper rad hose on manifold, two wire plug. Then test. Note: Rig will be HARD to start cold without the sensor plugged in.

If automatic transmission wont work engine block's are not the same, if stander transmission you could swap out bell housing held on with four bolt's from one to the other. Good luck and hope this was very helpful.

Have you checked it for spark when it dies? It sounds like a bad ignition module.

the fuel filter is located on the inside of the frame rail on the drivers side about where the driver seat is bolted to the floor board, it is round and about the size of a coke can

1988 ranger 2.9 runs great cold then after a few minutes when warmed up hesitates with intermittent black smoke from the tail pipe until i hit the the throttle then clears and will repeat this behavior...

My suggestion is to provide an auxillary fuel source, for diagniostic purposes.

Does the vehicle run porperly when running down the road? if so, fuel flow is not your issue.

What is the normal ambient temprature where you use the vehicle, especially during the dying event?

Has the vehicle heat soaked (which is normal) prior to the issue? Heat soak happens when you turn off the vehicle, no more cooling, temps spike, sometimes causing problems.

During the dying event, does anything that you do help? give throttle, etc?

Doc

its your fule filter theres 2 of them i the 86 ford ranger you need to change them the location of the fule filters are on google just tipe in fule filter 1986 ford ranger location it should pop up there about 8 dollors a peace easy fix and your truck is like new also get a new battey if you havent k have a good day. oh i know this because i own one had the same problem

check the fuel pressure for the fuel pump first