1988 Ford F-150 Pick-up Won't Start - Fuel System

Question: Engine will not start. Fuel pumps working. New fuel filter. Not enough pressure @ injector rails. Will start occassionally and run at a rough idle for a few seconds. Also, when fuel pressure is released at the injector rail, I hear 2 clicks and then lose fuel pressure.

Here's How To Get Guaranteed Solutions In Minutes

Technican: Have you checked the fuel pressure regulator? Also check for a kinked fuel line. What is the fuel pressure reading? Will the engine run momenatarily if you spray a small amount of carb cleaner into the air cleaner? Have you confirmed spark to the plugs during the no start period? For help troubleshooting, copy and paste the following link into your address bar- autozone.com/servlet/UiBroker?UseCase=RG001&UserAction=viewRepairGuideYMMEYear

Owner: I did a visual, no kinked hoses. Don't know how to check pressure regulator. Don't have a pressure guage. Checked spark, OK. Yes, engine does run if fuel is sprayed into throttle body. I turned on the ignition to run fuel pumps and then relesed the presuure at the injector rail. At first it seemed to have good pressure, then I heard 2 clicks and lost pressure. Sometimes I can coax the engine to start at a rough idle until I seems to run out of fuel. It may or may not start again after a few minutes. Should I buy a pressure guage?

Technican: Not necessarily, some auto-parts stores will loan you tools such as this for a fully refundable deposit. You need to determine if the fuel pump is running during engine cranking. If the pump is not running during engine cranking let me know. You can pinch off (with 'clawless need nose pliers or vise-grips)(or plug) the return hose to the fuel tank. Does the engine run now?

Owner: I will check for pump runing while cranking and try pluging the return line. I may not get back to you until tomorrow PM. Thanks (sorry if you get this twice. screwy internet connection.)

Technican: That's fine.

Owner: I blocked the return line and the truck RUNS. What is it? (FYI, On F-150-250 trucks with dual fuel tanks, there is a fuel fillter in the bottom of the fuel switching canister, mounted in frame the rail between the tanks and the high pressure fuel pump.)

Technican: Usually this is the fuel pressure regulator. Pull off the vacuum hose to the regulator and see if it smells like gasoline.

Technican: Also if you leave the line plugged and shut the engine off for ten or so minutes the truck should start back up without a problem, unless the problem is somewhere else.

Owner: I replaced the fuel injection fuel regulator. Now the truck won't start with or without the return line plugged. What next?

Technican: Test the fuel pump again. Does the fuel pump run when you crank the engine? If yes is it actually pumping fuel? If the pump has engine cranking voltage (battery 12+) going to it- and is not supplying adequate fuel the pump (or the plumbing) must be bad. Perhaps the pump worked momentarily, just long enough to make the regulator look bad. If the vacuum line smelled like gas, the regulator was bad anyways and needed replacing, but obviously was not the major problem.

Here's How To Get Guaranteed Solutions In Minutes

Home

Ford Answers

Aerostar
Aspire
Bronco
Bronco II
Club Wagon
Contour
Country Squire
Crown Victoria
E 150
E 250
E 350
Econoline
Escort
Expedition
Explorer
F 100 Pick up
F 150 Pick up
F 250 Pick up
F 350 Pick up
Falcon
Festiva
Fiesta
Focus
Granada
LTD
Lightning Pick up
Mustang
Mustang Convertible
Mustang GT
Mustang Mach I
Mustang Notchback
Mustang Sedan
Probe
Ranger
Ranger Pick up
Sedan
Taurus
Tempo
Thunderbird
Touring
Windstar
ZX2
a_old

Home

template

1988 Ford F-150 Pick-up Won't Start - Fuel System

More F-150 Pick-up Answers

Home

Ford Answers

Home