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Dec 22, 2010 | 12:48 PM

88 250

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From: St. Johns

Won't Start

Have an 88 250 302 5 speed when I turn the key the starter spins but my RPM gauge stays at 0. Any ideas?! Thanks ahead of time

Dec 22, 2010 | 01:14 PM

88n94

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From: South Dakota

Are you saying the starter spins, but the engine does not turn at all? If so your starter drive(often called the bendix) is bad. You can replace just the drive, but the part is no longer available from Ford. Readily available from most part stores. Or of course you can just replace with a rebuilt starter.

Dec 22, 2010 | 01:23 PM

88 250

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From: St. Johns

Yes the starter spins but the engine does not. I was driving it and it started to act funny losing RPMs got it off the road and it died and won't start back up. I'm currently waiting for a tow truck figured I'd start getting ideas of what to check when I get her home.

Dec 22, 2010 | 01:28 PM

88n94

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From: South Dakota

One other thought. You could have a spot on the flywheel where the teeth are gone and the starter drive can't start turning the flywheel. You could take a socket and breaker bar on the large bolt on the front of the damper pulley and turn the engine a little bit, then hit the starter and see what happens.

Dec 22, 2010 | 01:32 PM

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From: St. Johns

Ya I was thinking something with the starter or not having spark but the dizzy and coil are only a couple months old.

Dec 22, 2010 | 01:35 PM

Encho

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From: Caracas, Venezuela

If it died when it was rolling on the road it can't be related to the starter, most probably you have a fuel related issue (dead fuel pump) or a part on the ECU management, MLPS, coil or distributor failed you
(new parts DO fail, don't let anything out). Try pulling the codes to see what does the truck have to say.

Dec 22, 2010 | 01:46 PM

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From: St. Johns

I planned on running codes when I got home. My high pressure pump on the frame is new so is the fuel pressure regulator. My thing with it being fuel is even if it's not getting fuel the engine should still turn over giving me a reading on my RPM gauge. Same with not having spark.