Johnfishin1

Any ideas on the electrical issue I mentioned?

I have the X, does that make a difference?

Anyone have any ideas about the headlight/running light issue?

The brakes are soft whether the engine is on or off

1986, 2.5, 4 speed manual

Alright, so my last post was about the truck not running due to a fuel pump issue as well as grounding issue. Got that sorted out, now she's running. So I noticed a few things off the bat. When sitting there in neutral, it sounds like metal is clanging/vibrating off and on underneath. Didn't really check that one out much, because I'm fairly certain it's the exhaust bouncing back and forth (as I ripped off the back half because it was just dangling. Straight pipe on the way) I've only heard the a clutch do that while in gear, and I would assume the starter getting stuck on the flywheel would be a lot louder/a lot more steady rather than intermittent. A bigger concern I have is when I turn on the running lights/headlights, the engine putts out and dies. My initial thought was alternator, but if the battery has charge, why would it die out like that? Or could it be the alternator? Because if I had to guess, it seems as though it's slowly losing fuel. It has a harder time starting immediately after it dies in the sense that it sputters for a few seconds, doing what I'd think is pumping more fuel. Now, the ground lights are ever so slightly on (extremely dim) even when I have the lights off. Could that have something to do with this issue? Next, I noticed a lot of wiring harnesses unplugged inside and out. If I sent pictures tomorrow, could someone by chance help me decipher what they are for? Because I don't specifically see anywhere they would go. And last but not least, my brakes go to the floor. It sounds like air is coming out in the cab and outside... I'm assuming that's the brake booster, is that correct?

So I did take off the fuel pump and tested it at the wiring harness to see if it would work connected to a battery. Sure enough it did not do its job. However I did check everything else everyone listed, and sure enough, those were ALL issues I had. Lol. I found out this poor guy sat for about 15 years total. Within the last 5 years it had a new timing chain, new head gasket, ECU replaced, new distributor cap, rotor, and spark plug wires, that new fuel pump 2 years ago that went bad, a new gas tank, new fuel sending unit, a new clutch, and the front diff was rebuilt supposedly. Now, that being said, in edition to the fuel, I have another issue, the brake pedal goes to the floor. It has some pressure, and sounds like when you push on the pedal air is being pushed somewhere. I've never had that happen before so I'm not sure if that would be the master cylinder or brake booster, but I'm fairly certain it's not a line. Any advice on which one to go for? Attached will be a picture of her, and my vision for her in case anyone wants to stick around for the journey. Lol

Alright last question for now then I'll check fuel pump tomorrow. Do you have any idea what MPG I should expect to get out of it? I've heard 20 mpg and 20 gpm

The one where you just have the necessities and tons of lights? Yeah. Any easy way to change that?

Thank you, that’s a handy diagram! My fuel gauge also doesn’t work, it bounces back and forth… could that be the float in there?

Yes I do. Sorry, I didn’t realize the fuel pump was on the side of the tank, I haven’t even been down there yet. Just got all excited

do I have to drop the tank to test?

So I just bought an 86 Comanche X today. Runs off of starting fluid. When I turn the key to start it, the fuel pump relay clicks, but fuel pump doesn't engage. I personally know the previous owner, and they had replaced the fuel pump and fuel sending unit and had it running and driving. It sat for 2 years after that. What do I do to figure out the issue?