Hello,

I just joined this site because I recently bought myself a 1989 F150. I bought it for fun and to tinker around with.

Now I have no real knowledge of cars or trucks the only thing I know how to do is check oil and change a tire. Oh and maybe replace a few bulbs in the dash. After all I am a lady
But that won't stop me from getting my hands dirty

I want to know it all
This site seems like a very helpful site so i'm excited to have my questions answered!
All I ask is you go easy on me, I don't know the language AT ALL and surely couldn't tell you what the carburetor is or does. But I'm willing to learn!
So here's my first question,
The passenger side door won't open from the inside. Only from the outside. the lock on the top is completely gone. Any ideas as to what may be wrong with it?

 

inside door panel needs to be removed and then go from there.

 

i am not sure what you mean by "the lock on the top is completely gone" ...
do you mean that the whole lock assembly (where the key is inserted) is missing ?
buying a Haynes manual that covers your year of truck will be very helpful to you.

 

I think she is talking about the lock rod inside the door. you will need to remove the door panel and see if it has come loose from the latch. the reason it doesn't open from the inside is the cable is broken or stretched, a common problem with these trucks.

 

is that an easy fix?
also I took it for a spin and it started bucking a lot and the exhaust blew out black smoke then it stopped running in mid drive. And now I can't get it to start, it'll turn over but it won't start. Do you guys think it's a fuel pump problem?

Thanks for your guys input thus far!

 

Don't look too hard for a carburetor as your truck doesn't have one. Starting from '87 they were fuel-injected.

While you could have a fuel problem, I'd bet on ignition first.

 

Start with the easy ones like coil, plugs, wires, cap, and rotor. They are all cheap enough. If your blowing black smoke, your probably running rich so it's most likely an ignition issue.

 

I thought they put the cable in the door handle mechanism in 92 and up models? I'm familiar with the stretching problem, but my 1991 has a metal rod, not a cable. Rod or cable though, it could be bent or distorted. Definitely have to remove the door panel.

I'm curious if the metal rod for the lock is still there. Look down in the hole, or pull off the door panel and see if that vertical rod is there. It has threads on it's top that the familiar plastic button screws on to. Someone may have just stole the button and shoved the rod down in the door.

I would also say to pull the codes from the computer and see what it says. It'll help you pinpoint the problem faster. You want to start with the Key On Engine Off test (KOEO). Peruse this website, it's one the best, and it has procedures for pulling the codes: Fuel Injection Technical Library
Fuel Injection Technical Library » How To Run a Self-Test

Best of luck!

Chris

 

hd about the cable, you are probably right never had a problem with my 87 but do with my 95 I just made it so I could get the door open from the inside using the lock rod on the latch mechanism. wasn't going to pay what ford wanted. as for the black smoke and bucking I will 2nd the ignition problem.

 

you gentlemen are so helpful!!

Yeah I took the plastic off the door, and I found out that someone did just rip the metal cap off and pushed it down, I pushed the rod back up into the little hole hoping that would fix the problem but it didn't
and yeah it's a metal rod, not a cable. I can't find where it could be going wrong, it still has the little yellow clips, so maybe it's just warped.

I never even thought of it possibly being an ignition problem, I'll have to look into that. I just wanna get this beast up and running haha

I learned how to change the oil today, not gonna lie I felt pretty cool

 

I had this same problem on my 95. Although because of the year difference I'm not sure if the solution is the same. I couldn't even get my inside door lever to move. I had to take my door panel off and get to my door latch system. I sprayed it all over with WD40 and that fixed everything. Not sure if this helps.

I would agree with an ignition problem as well. I had an 87 suburban that had similar issues and it ended up being the starter. It now starts much stronger than before.

 

Yeah, take your favorite oil and spray the handle assembly where it pivots, and also down inside the latch mechanism itself where the striker bolt (the piece on the door frame) catches.

Also, on the OBS trucks the spot on the inside of the door where the handle assembly mounts can crack, it's only thin metal. If it does, the handle will flex too much and not be able to actuate the latch mechanism. Check that out while you're in there.