The Mrs' Exped left her stranded, it came home on a flatbed TT.

She tells me at home that the Exped had been laboring a little bit to start for the past couple of weeks and it would not crank for her on the road after it died. sounds like a dead battery. took battery to auto zone for load test and it shows as a bad battery. Replaced battery.

Now the Exped will crank just fine, but it will not start.

My next steps would normally be to check for spark and gas, but how?

Then I need to check for any codes. The check engine light stays illuminated, but I did not see it blink.

Thanks in advance for your help,
expy08tx


BTW, that the starter motor ran for 10 seconds even when I released the key freaked me out... I had not run into that before. Owners manual says to expect it.

 

With respect to the check engine light, I just tried it again to be sure and the CEL IS flashing 8 times after I crank the motor. Then the CEL stays illuminated.

 

And what does the owner's manual say about the flashing CEL?

 

paraphrase from the OM:
blinks 8 times means it is not ready for I/M testing. Not ready for I/M testing means there is an issue.

Well, there is clearly an issue at the moment, that's why I am here. The issue is that it will not start.

You were very helpful, though. I found your other postings here on the 3rd Gen forum:
https://www.ford-trucks.com/forums/1...l#post12730499

Now I have something to go after.


expy08tx1963

 

Typically, when you crank a Ford, if the PCM detects a CKP sensor signal it will turn the CEL off while cranking. If the CEL stays on while cranking, I'd check for a CKP signal.

Alternatively, I like to use a Radio Shack LED. Unplug a COP or fuel injector and plug the LED into the harness side of the connector. Have someone crank the engine. If the LED doesn't flash, the PCM is waiting for a CKP signal so it can determine when to fire the COP or injector.

 

Checked fuses, all good. Got power at the fuel interlock switch so the pump should have power. Not sure if I hear the fuel pump come on or not. Sometimes seems yes, sometimes no.

Checked fuel pressure and no pressure at the fuel rails. None!
Fuel filter has never been changed that I know and that is cheaper, so will try that.

 

Went to get new fuel filter and tool to change it out.

my heavens! never a good time to write in a post after struggling and getting frustrated, but who at Ford thought these connections were a good idea... Anyone have any hints for these fuel line connectors? I have not been able to engage the spring release in the metal hood type even with the tool. I have no idea how to release the red and green sleeved connections.

How many of you, if any, just replaced these clamps/connectors with 1/4" fuel line and some hose clamps?

 

make sure the quick connect fittings are clean, if there's dirt in behind the tabs or springs, they wont be able to release. blast them with compressed air if you have. also push the two lines together then insert the tool. if you try to pull them apart and then insert the tool, there will be too much pressure on them to release. i wouldn't recommend replacing with hose clamps. at 50-60 psi pressure, regular hose clamps aren't designed to hold that

 

Bunky383, thank you for your reply. I got the filter off, but not without struggle. I think you are exactly correct for the quick connect fitting in terms of cleaning them out, then pushing them together, then inserting the tool.

For those that might run into this in the future, I did not know how to get the 2 connectors going back to the fuel tank off initially, but the colored collars (red and green) have to be pinched together on the tabbed side then pushed down so the collar comes out the opposite side. When the collar comes out the opposite side, the connector releases and you can pull it off of the filter.

Now will try to start the truck after replacing the filter.

 

Was away and not able to work on the Expy for a time. Now back and need to figure this out.

My next step was to try to see if I had the fuel pump driving fuel from the tank. With the fuel filter still out I just turned the key to see if the fuel pump would give me a squirt of fuel, but I got nothing. I am not sure if this is an indication of a bad fuel pump since the system could have some sort of lock-out to not drive the pump if the PCM does not see the proper pressures/vacuums to indicate a closed system. no idea.

I am a little handicapped since this isn't my normal ride, so I do not know if the sounds I hear are normal, but I hear something that sounds like a pump engage for a moment when you turn the key, however, no joy with the fuel from the pump.

What say you guys? bad fuel pump? I know that is a somewhat common issue with these trucks especially when the fuel tank is run often below 1/4 full - which I know to be the normal case with Mrs. Expy08tx1963...

thx
expy08tx1963

 

To answer that questionm hot wire the pump to see if it will spin.

Did you check the FPDM to see if it has deteriorated due to corrosion?

 

Applied 12V to pump side of inertial cut-off switch. Nothing from the pump.

Does this model have a FPDM? I do not see one on the '08 wiring diagram, there's no mention of it from Haynes or Chiltons and Rockauto.com does not list one for this year.

Going to drop the tank to get to the fuel pump.

 

Worked at getting the fuel tank out to check the fuel pump. Have the tank out and on the ground with all connections to the tank removed, except for one ribbed, flexible vent tube that I cannot see how to disconnect from the tank. The view in the picture is from the back of the fuel tank looking forward.

How do I remove this connection from the tank so I can get it out from under the Expy?

Thank you.




should read:
"... goes to a connection on the middle ..."
not
"... goes to the a connection on the middle ..."

 

Here is a picture of the connection I am referring to on the fuel pump.



Thanks for your help.

 

This hose line does not have any visible disconnect on this line at the back of the tank. It runs under what looks like a protective shield for rocks and debris that is on the driveshaft side of the tank.