Notices
1987 - 1996 F150 & Larger F-Series Trucks 1987 - 1996 Ford F-150, F-250, F-350 and larger pickups - including the 1997 heavy-duty F250/F350+ trucks

intermittent fuel issue

Thread Tools
 
Search this Thread
 
Old Aug 19, 2003 | 07:26 PM
  #1  
Capt_Dunzell's Avatar
Capt_Dunzell
Thread Starter
|
Freshman User
Joined: May 2002
Posts: 33
Likes: 0
From: USA
intermittent fuel issue

Please help!

1991 Ford F250 4x4 5.8 automatic

About every other time I try to start her up she wont start.
Fuel pump runs for about 3 minutes before it shuts off, as soon as it shuts off it starts right up. It has dual tanks, with pumps in both tanks so I dont think it could be a fuel pump issue as it has the same symptoms with each tank. I changed the fuel filter, didnt help. Any suggestions?
 
Reply
Old Aug 20, 2003 | 09:03 AM
  #2  
Capt_Dunzell's Avatar
Capt_Dunzell
Thread Starter
|
Freshman User
Joined: May 2002
Posts: 33
Likes: 0
From: USA
Unhappy intermittent fuel issue

thoughts anyone?
 
Reply
Old Aug 20, 2003 | 10:46 AM
  #3  
fishin1976's Avatar
fishin1976
Elder User
Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 539
Likes: 0
intermittent fuel issue

Replace your fuel pump relay, its is apparently sticking. Your fuel pump when you turn the key should only run for 2-3 seconds not 2-3 minutes. It may be getting hot internally and not closing the circuit when told to.

Try that first, easy cheap fix.
 
Reply
Old Aug 26, 2003 | 06:28 PM
  #4  
Capt_Dunzell's Avatar
Capt_Dunzell
Thread Starter
|
Freshman User
Joined: May 2002
Posts: 33
Likes: 0
From: USA
intermittent fuel issue

guess thats not it
 
Reply
Old Aug 30, 2003 | 11:43 PM
  #5  
Capt_Dunzell's Avatar
Capt_Dunzell
Thread Starter
|
Freshman User
Joined: May 2002
Posts: 33
Likes: 0
From: USA
intermittent fuel issue

getting an occasional code 212 on the computer
could this be related? It throws this code everytime the fuel pump doesnt shut off
 
Reply
Old Sep 1, 2003 | 10:56 AM
  #6  
Capt_Dunzell's Avatar
Capt_Dunzell
Thread Starter
|
Freshman User
Joined: May 2002
Posts: 33
Likes: 0
From: USA
intermittent fuel issue

any other ideas?
 
Reply
Old Sep 6, 2003 | 09:36 AM
  #7  
Capt_Dunzell's Avatar
Capt_Dunzell
Thread Starter
|
Freshman User
Joined: May 2002
Posts: 33
Likes: 0
From: USA
intermittent fuel issue

okay, are there any other good ford truck forums that I might try to see if anyone has any other ideas?

Thanks
 
Reply
Old Sep 6, 2003 | 11:46 AM
  #8  
lexluthr69's Avatar
lexluthr69
Senior User
Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 383
Likes: 1
From: Newport News USA
intermittent fuel issue

How's your fuel pressure look? '91 still had the high pressure pump on the frame, and the low pressure pumps in the tank. Possibility exhists that your hi pressure pump is failing.
 
Reply
FTE Stories

Ford Trucks for Ford Truck Enthusiasts

story-0

This Hennessey Takes the Expedition Tremor's Off-Roading Capability to the Next Level

 Verdad Gallardo
story-1

Top 10 Fords at 2026 Carlisle Ford Nationals

 Joe Kucinski
story-2

3 Best / 3 Worst Parts of Modern Ford Ownership

 Brett Foote
story-3

10 Amazing Upgrades That Solve Common Ford Truck Owner Headaches

 Pouria Savadkouei
story-4

Every 2026 Ford Engine Explained

 Brett Foote
story-5

10 Ugly Ford Trucks That We Still Kinda Love

 Joe Kucinski
story-6

10 Things Every Truck Owner NEEDS (2026 Edition)

 Michael S. Palmer
story-7

Rezvani's Latest Post-Apocalyptic Monster Is a Ford F-150 Raptor Underneath

 Verdad Gallardo
story-8

Top 10 Most Expensive Ford Trucks Ever Sold on Bring a Trailer

 Joe Kucinski
story-9

2027 Ford Super Duty Buyer's Guide (Every Model, Engine, & Package)

 Brett Foote
Old Sep 6, 2003 | 11:59 AM
  #9  
Capt_Dunzell's Avatar
Capt_Dunzell
Thread Starter
|
Freshman User
Joined: May 2002
Posts: 33
Likes: 0
From: USA
intermittent fuel issue

I dont have a pump on the frame, it seems to be an oddball by the books I have looked at.

And what I thought was two pumps, one in each tank, now appears to be one in the front tank only. Just makes a much more subdued sound when switched to the rear tank, made it sound like it was coming from the rear.
 
Reply
Old Sep 6, 2003 | 02:07 PM
  #10  
lexluthr69's Avatar
lexluthr69
Senior User
Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 383
Likes: 1
From: Newport News USA
intermittent fuel issue

If you've got dual tanks, then you definitely have pumps in each tank. UNLESS someone, possibly previous owner, took it out. If that is the case, then you'll have never used the rear tanks fuel.
There's no pump about a foot behind the fuel filter on the frame? That does seem weird, but I never can remember if they did the swap from 1 hi pres/2 low pres pumps, to just 2 high pres pumps in the tanks in '91 or '92.
Are you sure you replaced the fuel pump relay and not the EEC relay? They sit right next to each other and are sometimes hard to distinguish between the two.
 
Reply
Old Sep 6, 2003 | 11:51 PM
  #11  
BOSSDOG's Avatar
BOSSDOG
New User
Joined: Sep 2003
Posts: 2
Likes: 0
Wink intermittent fuel issue

If your problem is the same as I had with my 89 F150, you may
find on your fuel relay (located on the inner fender well) that the
main power feed wire is corroded and broken right at the terminal in the relay. Sometimes with the right vibration there
was no contact. If you look at the wires going into the relay and see some green patina corrosion I'd say you found your problem.
Have a good day.
 

Last edited by BOSSDOG; Sep 6, 2003 at 11:59 PM.
Reply
Old Sep 7, 2003 | 03:04 PM
  #12  
Capt_Dunzell's Avatar
Capt_Dunzell
Thread Starter
|
Freshman User
Joined: May 2002
Posts: 33
Likes: 0
From: USA
intermittent fuel issue

I did relace the correct relay, they were well marked.
Its not a matter of the pump not working, its a matter of
it not shutting off before starting the engine.
It normally shuts off within 2 to 3 seconds of turning the key.
But several times a day it will run for up to 3 minutes or so
before shutting off, like its not hitting the pressure mark, or something is not recieving the signal to shut it off.

When it does this it throws the code 212 after it starts.
I shut off the engine and immediatley restart it and its
all clear.

Ive had this truck for 8 years and have always ran both tanks, and it still runs both tanks no problem, no pump on the frame, and the only pump noise heard is in the front tank. The parts store even only shows on in their book for this particular model.
I dont know, wish it was my 65 as then I could easily debug it and fix it, im lost on all the newer trucks.
 
Reply
Old Sep 7, 2003 | 03:05 PM
  #13  
Capt_Dunzell's Avatar
Capt_Dunzell
Thread Starter
|
Freshman User
Joined: May 2002
Posts: 33
Likes: 0
From: USA
intermittent fuel issue

Im going to crawl under her again and trace everything thats there.............again.........ive only looked a dozen times but Ive been frustrated with it so who knows........maybe a hammer will fix her
 
Reply
Old Sep 7, 2003 | 03:44 PM
  #14  
stepman's Avatar
stepman
Posting Guru
Joined: Dec 2002
Posts: 1,428
Likes: 0
From: peoria, az
intermittent fuel issue

I think you have a computer going bad. Sometimes the only way to diagnose this is to substitute with a "known good part". I know that gets expensive unless you have access to another one.(maybe borrowed from a similar vehicle)or maybe a cheap one from a wreck.
 
Reply
Old Sep 7, 2003 | 10:56 PM
  #15  
Capt_Dunzell's Avatar
Capt_Dunzell
Thread Starter
|
Freshman User
Joined: May 2002
Posts: 33
Likes: 0
From: USA
intermittent fuel issue

how "similar" would this have to be?
Werent the computers pretty specific?
 
Reply



All times are GMT -5. The time now is 10:51 AM.

story-0
This Hennessey Takes the Expedition Tremor's Off-Roading Capability to the Next Level

Slideshow: The VelociRaptor Expedition gains a lift, upgraded suspension, Brembo brakes, and trail-ready equipment while retaining the stock 440-horsepower EcoBoost V6.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-06-12 11:01:55


VIEW MORE
story-1
Top 10 Fords at 2026 Carlisle Ford Nationals

Slideshow: Top 10 Fords at 2026 Ford Nationals

By Joe Kucinski | 2026-06-09 11:10:08


VIEW MORE
story-2
3 Best / 3 Worst Parts of Modern Ford Ownership

Based on years of owning multiple modern Ford products.

By Brett Foote | 2026-06-09 10:53:36


VIEW MORE
story-3
10 Amazing Upgrades That Solve Common Ford Truck Owner Headaches

SPONSORED: From muddy boots to rain-soaked cargo, these upgrades address some of the most common frustrations Ford truck owners face every day.

By Pouria Savadkouei | 2026-06-08 18:50:34


VIEW MORE
story-4
Every 2026 Ford Engine Explained

Here's everything you need to know about every Ford engine available for the 2026 model year.

By Brett Foote | 2026-06-05 12:58:01


VIEW MORE
story-5
10 Ugly Ford Trucks That We Still Kinda Love

Slideshow: 10 ugly Ford trucks that we still kinda love.

By Joe Kucinski | 2026-06-03 09:51:16


VIEW MORE
story-6
10 Things Every Truck Owner NEEDS (2026 Edition)

Slideshow: the best gifts for dads & grads

By Michael S. Palmer | 2026-06-03 15:43:58


VIEW MORE
story-7
Rezvani's Latest Post-Apocalyptic Monster Is a Ford F-150 Raptor Underneath

Slideshow: Called the Fortress, the 850-horsepower pickup combines Raptor underpinnings with military-inspired features, survival equipment, and a starting price of $285,000.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-06-03 11:38:36


VIEW MORE
story-8
Top 10 Most Expensive Ford Trucks Ever Sold on Bring a Trailer

Slideshow: 10 most expensive Ford trucks ever sold on Bring a Trailer.

By Joe Kucinski | 2026-05-27 16:24:34


VIEW MORE
story-9
2027 Ford Super Duty Buyer's Guide (Every Model, Engine, & Package)

Here's everything that has changed for the latest model year.

By Brett Foote | 2026-05-27 16:17:28


VIEW MORE