Hey there Franklin2,,,thanks,,got my lights all working now except dash/instrument,,I even got dome light,,lol....Other than the dash lights,,I can get in my truck and it start right up n run like a new one but...Every now and then,,I have to jerk the starter fluid out n hit the air filter with it,,its a rare occurance but my little grandbaby is with me and my truck is all we have and Im worried bout it one day not even starting with a touch of starting fluid..Do any of you know what may be causing that and if I could possibly fix it in some way myself??? I cant afford to hire anyone,,so if things get done,,I have to figure out how to do it myself or it dont get done I would appreciate if any of you could tell me what it is and what to do or if I could fix it myself

 

since it starts with starting fluid i would zero in on fuel as the issue.
if you are in the u.s.a. i understand that parts stores there will rent or loan a fuel pressure gauge. test fuel pressure and post the results. also, advise what engine you are working on.

 

Thank you joey2fords,,Ill let you know what I find out bout the fuel pressure..Its a 302, 5 speed

 

While you are at the store purchase a code reader. Great investment. Yes, you can pull the codes with a paper clip, but it requires counting flashes and pauses. Twice this week we had posts where the OP swore they were getting two digit codes, when they were actually three digit codes. They went off in the wrong direction...

Get an Innova/Equus 3145. They usually run ~$25 USD. Run the Key On Engine Off (KOEO) tests and stored code (Continuous Memory aka CM) display. Post any codes and when they were displayed here. We can help diagnose.

Even if you get the System Pass (Code 111) for both KOEO and CM, you have the right tool to diagnose any other issues that will come up.

 

x2 on pulling codes.
if money is tight, you can try pulling the codes with a paper clip and see what you come up with. either way, if you are going to own, and work on these trucks, eventually you will need to pull codes in order to diagnose an issue.

 

And for what it's worth regarding the title of this thread (1990 Ford F150,,standard (king??)cab), "standard cab" is a cab with 2 doors and essentially no room behind the front seat. It's called "regular cab" more frequently here because the abbreviation "RC" will differentiate it from "SC" which stands for "SuperCab".

"SuperCab" is Ford's term for a cab with a small back seat behind the front seat. In this vintage of truck there are still only 2 doors, but newer SuperCab trucks might have 3 or 4 doors, with the rear doors hinged at the rear. "King Cab" is the Nissan term for the same thing. Toyota calls it "double cab", Chevy calls it Extended Cab, there's no standardization. But this is a Ford web site and Ford calls it SuperCab.

 

Nothing Special,,thank you,,I wasnt sure what the correct name was..Im a 50 year old woman raising my 20 month old granddaughter alone and I have to do this myself,,cant hire it done,,never was sure of the correct name..

rla2005,,thank you very much,,Ive got one ordered allready,,surehope I understand or figure out exactly how to use it...

joey2fords,,thank you..I will definitely try that while Im waiting for the code reader to come in,,

Wish me luck yall

 

Ok joey2fords and rla2005,,,I have changed the fuel filter and the front fuel pump and I cant even get it to start with starting fluid,,,,,,,it still cranks fine but wont start at all...When you turn the key over,,you cant hear the fuel pump prime at all now,,what am I doing wrong?? My code reader hasnt came in yet and Im stuck..Is there anything you guys could recommend that I check to make sure I hit all bases without it costing me,,Im right at down to nill now
Sure do thank yall

 

If the pump doesn't prime when you turn the key on, it's either the fuel pump is bad or the computer is bad. Since you can't start it on starting fluid, but could before, it's likely that your computer has been on its last leg and now it has bit the dust.

Take the computer out and remove the housing cover, you can check to see if it's bad by burnt spots or leaking capacitors.

 

'89F2urd,,,,I messed with some ground wires,,dont know if that helped or not but it started several times and sat and ran,,,,,in the back of the fuel tank switch plug on that square thing where the wires go in,,maybe 6 or 7 wires,,,one of the wires were so hot,,it burned a blister on my finger..I was afraid to drive it and see if it would start after driving and I cause of that wire,,not sure of which wire it was,,can anyone help me with that?? Im bout to give up,,I cant win for losing...

 

Also '892urd,,,Im not sure where the computers at and what you were talking bout..Is there a diagram or pics somewherewher I could check it out

 

The computer is in the drivers side kick panel, but the brake release. The harness goes through the firewall next to and below the brake booster.

As easy as it is to check the computer, you misewell....but it sounds like you very well could have ground issues at the root of your problems.

 

Ok y'all,,new front tank fuel pump, a fuel pump relay and redoing the grounds at the tank selector switch and the tank did the trick,,,,so far,,,,Now,,I was wondering,,since the back tank hasnt been used for years because of some unknown problem and I know I will never need it,,can it be shut down,,unplugged,,took off or something??? Thanks for y'alls help,,I sure couldnt have done anything without you guys