cold start problem
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Senior User
Joined: Mar 2003
Posts: 118
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From: mohave valley
cold start problem
i know this has been asked a thousand times, but, i just bought a 1990 f 150 lariat 4X4 with a 100,000 miles on it. truck was an original owner and very clean. the only problem im having is in the morning i have to crank on it for a while for it to start, the rest of the day it starts right up. im waiting for a haynes manual but for now i figured id post the question here. any thoughts on what it could be. thanks in advance.
Post Fiend
Joined: Nov 2002
Posts: 9,987
Likes: 7
From: Memphis, TN
cold start problem
1001: Pull the codes, put a fuel pressure gauge on the fuel rail, and see if it's throwing a spark. 
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Senior User
Joined: Mar 2003
Posts: 118
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From: mohave valley
cold start problem
swore id never own a car, or truck, with a computor, but now i do. ill get the hang of it. which code reader would you recommend for a 1990 ford f150. friend of mine told me the cheap ones that checker sells would fit my purpose.
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Joined: May 2003
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cold start problem
This one has a digital readout and cable so you can sit in the cab.
http://www.iequus.com/partinfo.asp?PartNumber=3145
http://www.iequus.com/partinfo.asp?PartNumber=95-0001
http://www.iequus.com/partinfo.asp?PartNumber=3145
http://www.iequus.com/partinfo.asp?PartNumber=95-0001
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Senior User
Joined: Mar 2003
Posts: 118
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From: mohave valley
cold start problem
thanks for the site. i know that codes can be pulled by using a tester and conecting to a certain pin on the main plug, but with my luck id criss-cross something, i would feel better with a code reader that just plugs in like on the site you sent. kinda of idiot proof.
Post Fiend
Joined: Nov 2002
Posts: 9,987
Likes: 7
From: Memphis, TN
cold start problem
The jumper wire is just about idiot-proof, too. There's a diagram in my code list (<-link) that shows exactly where to connect it. Then you just watch the engine light on the dash.
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Senior User
Joined: Mar 2003
Posts: 118
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From: mohave valley
cold start problem
like i said, this is all new to me. ive never had a car or truck with a computer. i know about fuel injection, i have two old porsches, one with cis and one with mfi. neither is operated by a computer. so by jumping these contacts youve out lined the dash will blink out a code. im getting a haynes manual, will that help me with reading the codes. i think im missing something. how do you translate the dash light flashing into a numbered code. like i said, this is completely new to me.
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Post Fiend
Joined: Nov 2002
Posts: 9,987
Likes: 7
From: Memphis, TN
cold start problem
If you click that link where it says "pull the codes", it'll explain better than the Haynes does. You have to count the flashes of the check engine light, but you have to know what to expect to count them right. That link explains in detail.
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Senior User
Joined: Mar 2003
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From: mohave valley
cold start problem
i just bought a 1990 f150 XLT Lariat 4X4 with the straight 6 im thinking of doing a mild lift, say 2 & 1/2 inch. which kit would be good, which one would offer me a good ride and the least amount of trouble to install, what tire size could i run, max. how will it affect my performance, and what will i have to do to re-calibrate my speedometer.