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Need some advice. Ole Red (90 F150 4.9L) took me to work and then wouldn't start this afternoon. Actually, it started, sputtered and died, then the check engine light flickered as I tried to restart. Can't hear the fuel pumps priming on subsequent trys. Cranks, cranks,cranks,cranks, cranks, but no start. Looked for my fuel pump relay behind the wiper fluid reservoir, but its not in the long black tray. Have an EEC self test relay, towing and a third one, but the fuel pump relay slot is empty. So where is this relay? Thought I would tap on it, but can't find it. Fuel pump inertia switch is not tripped. If I run a self test tomorrow will I get accurate codes since the truck has been sitting overnight?
Codes will remain in the continuous memory . Check for the simple things like spark , Adequate fuel pressure first . How many miles on your truck ? The fuel pump relay may not be in the slot its labelled to be in either . Its a Green Relay . Most of the time on your vintage truck if & when the relay dies it will die by staying open , leaving the fuel pump running when the key is switched off . If the TFI Module has never been replaced & you have over 100K miles on your truck , thats a good suspect failed part , but check for spark first .
OR has about 157K on it. I'll check for codes and spark sometime today. How do you isolate the TFI or coil as culprits if the truck doesn't have spark? Fuel pressure regulator is not that old, fuel pumps fairly new, too. But have no idea as to age of TFI or coil. Does anyone know where the fuel pump relay is on this truck?
Okay, hope someone is checking the board today. Ole Red has no spark as far as I can tell. Tried to run the engine self test, but the check engine light simply pulses/flutters rapidly in conjunction with a whirring/clicking sound...so I can't get any codes for diagnosis. Second time I tried to run the test the check engine light wouldn't light up with the key in run position.Pulled the TFI connector and plugged it back in. Got the same pulsing/fluttering from the CE light and accompanying whirring/clicking...then nothing. So where should I start? TFI or coil. Both look like a bear to change.
Okay, guess I'm talking to myself about this problem on the board...or I'm just burnt out dealing with it. Replaced the TFI/ICM on the distributor...still no spark. Replaced the coil...still no spark. Guess the only component left if the pickup coil in the distributor. Can anyone tell me how to test it before I replace it??????? Can this be done with the dist. in the truck or do I have to take the dist. out???? What bothers me most is the check engine light doesn't come on when I'm cranking it, and it and when it does it only flutters/pulses real fast in conjunction with whirring/clicking from under the hood. Am I chasing the wrong dog here, could the ECM/PCM be bad. Can't get the truck to respond to an engine self test. HELP.
When you enter the self test (KOEO) you will hear the EEC & fuel pump relays cycle . It sounds more like you have some wiring problems to And or from those relays that may be preventing the engine from starting . This would also explain why you arent getting the Ecu to run the self tests , its not getting any power .
Well, Ole Red is up and running again. Changing the ICM/TFI module and a new coil, to boot, solved my spark problem. But then the fuel pump and EEC power relays failed shortly thereafter...got drenched in a big storm we had and it took a day for the moisture to kill the relays. News ones in place and back down the road AOK. Thanks for all the help and replies to this thread.