Hi All,

I've stalked these forums for about 2 years and on every other occasion I've found the answers to my problems just by browsing other threads. This one has me stumped.

Truck fired up fine this morning. Turned it off to get gas. Hasn't started since.

To add to it, a couple months ago my truck had been running rough. It would shudder like it wanted to die when I brake and nearly come to a stop. Then it died. A day later it was doing what it's doing now.

It cranks but doesn't fire.

The first time the truck acted up, I changed the fuel filter. Still wouldn't fire. I then cleaned out the charcoal canister when preping to change the fuel pump. The canister was really bad. I also pulled the fuel pump relay and it looked fine. Didn't meter the slot though. Put the relay back and I'm not sure what happened (assuming the cleaning the canister did it due to idle shudder) but truck has run fine since, until today.

There hasn't been any shudder when nearing idle like before but the cranking without firing is still happening.

I can hear the fuel pump prime on key turn. It seems to me that this eliminates the fuel pump, the sending unit, and the relay. Since I changed the fuel filter a couple months ago, I doubt it's blockage. My usual suspects all seem to be gone.

Any help would be great, this is my busy season at work and I really need my truck.

 

Welcome to FTE

I don't know much about 'newer' trucks, but I'll ask the generic questions.

- What's the year/engine etc?
- Any codes (including pending)?
- Does it seem to have compression?
- Have you checked the ignition?
- Can you hear the injectors ticking?

good luck,

hj

 

I would say start from the beginning. Check for spark. If you have spark, then check for fuel. Just because your hearing the pump run does not necessarily mean it is pumping properly. Make sure you have the correct fuel pressure.
My first thought would be the fuel pump. They tend to go out after filling with gas.
If you have spark and good fuel pressure, then check the injectors and make sure they are getting signal to do their thing.

 

It's a 2000 F150 FX4. 5.4L.
Not throwing any codes.
Ignition seems fine
Haven't listened for the injectors but assumed they were fine due to the fact that the truck will start sometimes and seems to run perfectly when it does start. No trouble starting it when it does fire either.

I was messing with the truck in the driveway today and I noticed sometimes I could hear the fuel pump on key turn and sometimes I didn't. One time it seemed like the pump started to prime but cut off early. Between that and Deputydog's post, I'm starting to think maybe it's electrical. Tracing down an electrical problem sounds like a great way to waste a Friday afternoon!

Thanks for the feedback Deputy and Ford2go. I'll check the injectors in the morn.