Does the o2 sensor affect the fuel pump?

check the fuel rail for fuel and pressure, also can you hear the fuel pump running with the ignition just on should start pump for up to 30 seconds and turn off until pressure is reached. should hum.

1987 rangers use a device called a TFI module to control ign. timing , this merely triggers a std. coil to fire the center port of distributor cap , this device only controls the coil to fire but does send a pulse for timing back to ecu this sets the base pulse for fuel injection , but its also affected by manifold Air flow and exhaust O2 amounts (closed loop) , but engine should run in base mode (open loop) fuel timing (but not well) , fuel pump relay is enabled to run via ECU output , Now your year ranger had a tech bulletin out on fuel pumps , seems they had a problem getting them to work after a fuel filter was replaced , something about a false backpressure , no if you have no/low fuel pressure then id look at fuel pump power 1st then fuel pump itself assuming you've already tried a new filter of course

Is there spark coming from plugs . Electronic ignition? Check fuse box for blown fuses .
Pull a wire out from spark plug and place it near the plug. Start engine while someone else watches if there is spark going ( do not handle wire when doing this ) if new pump it has to be primed before use .

Try start the car again when it is completely dry, if it starts the rain may be short circuiting something on the loom in the engine bay.

If it still wont start,

will it turn over? (car tries to start)
- If it wont turn over the battery would be dead

- If it turns over but wont burst into life then we can go from there ^_^

WHEN TROUBLE SHOOT CAR CHECK FOR SPARK AT PLUGS FIRST IF NO.CHECK IGNITION FUSE TO IGNITION COIL OR COILS AND IGNITION MODULE.IF FUSE GOOD CAR NEED SCANNING FOR CRANKSHAFT SENSOR FAULT OR IGNITION MODULE FAULT.IF IGNITION SYSTEM OKAY CHANGE FUEL FILTER IF NOT BEEN CHANGED LONG TIME..CHECK TO SEE IF YOU HEAR FUEL PUMP RUN IN FUEL TANK WHEN YOU TURN IGNITION KEY ON FOR 3 SECONDS.THE FUEL PUMP WILL TURN ON 3 SECONDS THEN TURN OFF.IF YOU HEAR NO FUEL PUMP.CHECK FUSE AND RELAY.IF BOTH GOOD.STILL HAVE CAR CODE SCANNED FIRST.

the EGR does not affect engine starting. You need to see if it is a spark issue or fuel issue. Best way is to listen very carefully at the fuel tank. Turn key to on and listen for fuel pump humming for 5 seconds. If yes, then spray starting fluid into the air itnake for about 3 to 5 seconds. Try to start car. If it starts and runs a few seconds, it is a fuel issue.If not, then it is a psark issue.

I'm assuming the engine is cranking but not starting.

report results.

Here is the info

NOTE: The ignition key must not be on prior to the cold start otherwise the heated oxygen sensor diagnostic may not run.

1. As soon as the engine starts, idle the engine in drive for two and a half minutes with the A/C and rear defrost on. OBDII checks oxygen sensor heater circuits, air pump and EVAP purge.

2. Turn the A/C and rear defrost off, and accelerate to 55 mph at half throttle. OBDII checks for ignition misfire, fuel trim and canister purge.

3. Hold at a steady state speed of 55 mph for three minutes.

OBDII monitors EGR, air pump, O2 sensors and canister purge.

4. Decelerate (coast down) to 20 mph without braking or depressing the clutch. OBDII checks EGR and purge functions.

5. Accelerate back to 55 to 60 mph at half throttle. OBDII checks misfire, fuel trim and purge again.

6. Hold at a steady speed of 55 to 60 mph for five minutes.

OBDII monitors catalytic converter efficiency, misfire, EGR, fuel trim, oxygen sensors and purge functions.

7. Decelerate (coast down) to a stop without braking. OBDII makes a final check of EGR and canister purge.

o2 is a sensor. You could try replacing the correct one (up to 4 o2 sensors are possible any given vehicle). If check engine light is still on, have the codes cleared, have scan performed again to get the fault codes for possibly the specific o2 sensor. Hope this is helpful.

there are over 200 reasons for the check engine light to come on, the gas tank cap is just one of them, this light and the problem that turned it on are most likely covered under the federal emission warranty, contact the dealer. see trouble code list below for some of the probelems that cause a check enghine light.
P1100 Map Sensor - Malfunction
P1101 Map Sensor - Abnormal
P1102 Map Sensor - Low Input
P1103 Map Sensor - High Input
P1104 Air Flow
P1105 Air Flow - Abnormal
P1106 Air Flow - Low Input
P1107 Air Flow - High Input
P1108 Fuel Pump
P1109 Fuel Pump - Abnormal
P1110 Fuel Pump - Stuck On
P1110 ETS System - Malfunction
P1111 Fuel Pump - Electrical
P1112 Manifold Differential Pressure Sensor
P1112 VGT Actuator - Malfunction
P1113 Manifold Differential Pressure Sensor - Abnormal
P1114 Manifold Differential Pressure Sensor - Low
P1115 Coolant Temperature Input - Abnormal
P1116 Boost Pressure Sensor - Malfunction
P1118 ETS Motor - Malfunction
P1119 Inlet Metering Valve Control
P1120 Electric Governor - Malfunction
P1120 Inlet Metering Valve Malfunction
P1121 APS PWM Output Circuit Malfunction
P1121 Throttle Position Input - Abnormal
P1122 Boost Pressure Control Valve
P1123 Fuel System Rich - Idle
P1123 Timer Position Sensor - Malfunction
P1124 Fuel System Lean - Idle
P1125 Fuel Press Sensor1
P1126 Fuel Press Sensor2
P1127 Fuel System Rich - Part Load
P1127 Control Sleeve Position Sensor
P1128 Fuel System Lean - Part Load
P1130 Start Solenoid- Malfunction
P1131 Injection Quantity Adjust
P1134 O2s Transition Time(B1/S1)
P1135 Injection Timing Servo
P1140 Inlet Air Temperature Sensor Malfunction
P1141 Slow Duty Solenoid- Malfunction
P1145 Main Duty Solenoid- Malfunction
P1146 Idle Co Potentiometer
P1147 Accelerator Position Sensor (ETS) Circuit
P1150 Barometric Pressure Sensor Malfunction
P1151 Accelerator Position Sensor (EMS) Circuit
P1152 Accelerator Position Circuit-Low Input
P1153 Accelerator Position Circuit-High Input
P1154 O2s Transition Time(B2/S1)
P1155 Limp Home Valve- Malfunction
P1159 Variable Induction System
P1162 High Pressure Pump & Fuel Line
P1166 O2s (B1) Control Adaptation
P1166 Limit O2s Lambda Control (B1)
P1167 O2s (B2) Control Adaptation
P1167 Limit O2s Lambda Control (B2)
P1168 O2s (B1/S2) Heater Power
P1169 O2s (B2/S2) Heater Power
P1170 ECM (Barometric Pressure Sensor)
P1171 ETS Valve Stuck - Open
P1172 ETS Improper Motor Current
P1173 ETS Target Following Malfunction
P1174 ETS Valve Stuck - Close #1
P1175 ETS Valve Stuck - Close #2
P1176 ETS Motor Open/Short #1
P1177 ETS Motor Open/Short #2
P1178 ETS Motor Power - Open
P1179 ETS Position F/B-Mismatch
P1180 O2 S1 Heater Circuit- Malfunction
P1180 Fuel Pressure Regulator - Malfunction
P1181 Fuel Pressure Monitoring
P1182 O2 S2 Heater Circuit - Malfunction
P1182 Fuel Pressure Regulator - Short
P1183 Fuel Pressure Regulator - Open
P1184 O2s No Activity (B1/S2)
P1184 Fuel Pressure Regulator - Power
P1185 Fuel Position - Excessive
P1186 Fuel Pressure - Too Low
P1187 Regulator Valve - Stuck
P1188 Fuel Pressure - Leakage
P1189 Governor Deviation
P1190 Intake Throttle Actuator
P1191 ETS Limp Home Valve On
P1192 Limp home - Target Follow Malfunction
P1193 ETS Limp Home - Low Rpm
P1194 Limp Home - TPS2 Position Malfunction
P1195 Limp Home - Target Follow Delay
P1196 ETS Limp Home - Close Stuck
P1300 Spark Timing Adjust Signal
P1300 Injector Specific Data Fault
P1300 Synchronization Error-CKP/CMP
P1301 TDC Sensor - Abnormal
P1302 TDC Sensor - Low Input
P1303 TDC Sensor - High Input
P1304 Phase Sensor
P1305 Phase Sensor - Abnormal
P1306 Phase Sensor - Low Input
P1307 Phase Sensor - High Input
P1307 Accelerator Sensor - Range/Performance
P1308 Ignition Coil.1
P1308 Accelerator Sensor - Low
P1308 Accelerator Sensor Circuit - Low
P1309 Ignition Coil.1 - Abnormal
P1309 Accelerator Sensor - High
P1309 Accelerator Sensor Circuit - High
P1310 Ignition Coil.1 - Low Output
P1310 Injection Control Circuit Fault
P1311 Ignition Coil.1 - High Output
P1312 Ignition Coil.2
P1313 Ignition Coil.2 - Abnormal
P1314 Ignition Coil.2 - Low Output
P1315 Ignition Coil.2 - High Output
P1316 Ignition Coil.3
P1317 Ignition Coil.3 - Abnormal
P1318 Ignition Coil.3 - Low Output
P1319 Ignition Coil.3 - High Output
P1320 Ignition Coil.4
P1321 Ignition Coil.4 - Abnormal
P1321 Glow Indicator Lamp - Short
P1322 Ignition Coil.4 - Low Output
P1322 Glow Indicator Lamp - Open
P1323 Ignition Coil.4 - High Output
P1324 Glow Relay - Malfunction
P1325 Glow Relay - Abnormal
P1325 Glow Relay
P1326 Glow Relay - Stuck On
P1326 Glow Relay - Short
P1327 Glow Relay - Electrical
P1327 Glow Relay - Open
P1330 Spark Timing Adjust Signal
P1331 #1 MF Signal Line Short
P1332 #2 MF Signal Line Short
P1333 #3 MF Signal Line Short
P1334 #4 MF Signal Line Short
P1335 #5 MF Signal Line Short
P1336 #6 MF Signal Line Short
P1337 #7 MF Signal Line Short
P1338 #8 MF Signal Line Short
P1340 IFS 2 Open

fuel pressure regulator might be to blame,on vortec models it is located under intake manifold plenum bolted to cpi unit and not real easy to change,o2 sensors will not keep it from running only affects how it runs,on your 96 i think there are 2 o2 sensors before the catalytic converters and 2 after.