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

Ole Red won't start

Thread Tools
 
Search this Thread
 
Old Nov 15, 2001 | 11:33 AM
  #1  
tim_1911's Avatar
tim_1911
Thread Starter
|
New User
25 Year Member
Joined: Feb 2000
Posts: 22
Likes: 0
Ole Red won't start

 
Reply
Old Nov 16, 2001 | 11:59 PM
  #2  
tmcalavy's Avatar
tmcalavy
Posting Guru
25 Year Member
Joined: Jun 1999
Posts: 1,083
Likes: 1
Ole Red won't start

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?
 
Reply
Old Nov 17, 2001 | 01:34 AM
  #3  
PAUL_2's Avatar
PAUL_2
Postmaster
25 Year Member
Joined: Jul 1999
Posts: 3,172
Likes: 4
Ole Red won't start

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 .
 
Reply
Old Nov 17, 2001 | 09:18 AM
  #4  
tmcalavy's Avatar
tmcalavy
Posting Guru
25 Year Member
Joined: Jun 1999
Posts: 1,083
Likes: 1
Ole Red won't start

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?
 
Reply
Old Nov 17, 2001 | 02:14 PM
  #5  
tmcalavy's Avatar
tmcalavy
Posting Guru
25 Year Member
Joined: Jun 1999
Posts: 1,083
Likes: 1
Ole Red won't start

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.
 
Reply
Old Nov 17, 2001 | 04:55 PM
  #6  
tmcalavy's Avatar
tmcalavy
Posting Guru
25 Year Member
Joined: Jun 1999
Posts: 1,083
Likes: 1
Ole Red won't start

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.
 
Reply
Old Nov 17, 2001 | 05:03 PM
  #7  
PAUL_2's Avatar
PAUL_2
Postmaster
25 Year Member
Joined: Jul 1999
Posts: 3,172
Likes: 4
Ole Red won't start

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 .
 
Reply
Old Nov 19, 2001 | 11:46 AM
  #8  
tmcalavy's Avatar
tmcalavy
Posting Guru
25 Year Member
Joined: Jun 1999
Posts: 1,083
Likes: 1
Ole Red won't start

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.
 
Reply
FTE Stories

Ford Trucks for Ford Truck Enthusiasts

story-0

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

 Joe Kucinski
story-1

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

 Brett Foote
story-2

Top 10 Ford Truck Tragedies

 Joe Kucinski
story-3

AEV FXL Super Duty - the Super Duty Raptor Ford Doesn't Make

 Brett Foote
story-4

Lobo Vs Lobo: Proof the F-150 Lobo Should Be Even Lower!

 Michael S. Palmer
story-5

Ford's 2001 Explorer Sportsman Concept Looks For a New Home

 Verdad Gallardo
story-6

10 Best Ford Truck Engines We Miss the Most!

 Joe Kucinski
story-7

2026 Shelby F-150 Off-Road: Better Than a Raptor R?

 Brett Foote
story-8

2027 Super Duty Carhartt Package First Look: 12 Things You NEED to Know!

 Michael S. Palmer
story-9

10 Most Surprising 2026 Ford Truck Features!

 Joe Kucinski




All times are GMT -5. The time now is 01:17 PM.

story-0
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-1
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
story-2
Top 10 Ford Truck Tragedies

Slideshow: Top 10 Ford truck tragedies.

By Joe Kucinski | 2026-05-18 19:34:33


VIEW MORE
story-3
AEV FXL Super Duty - the Super Duty Raptor Ford Doesn't Make

And it might be even better than that.

By Brett Foote | 2026-05-18 19:26:42


VIEW MORE
story-4
Lobo Vs Lobo: Proof the F-150 Lobo Should Be Even Lower!

Slideshow: Does lowering an F-150 Lobo RUIN the ride quality?

By Michael S. Palmer | 2026-05-18 19:20:37


VIEW MORE
story-5
Ford's 2001 Explorer Sportsman Concept Looks For a New Home

Slideshow: Ford's bizarre fishing-themed Explorer concept has resurfaced after spending decades largely forgotten.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-05-12 18:07:46


VIEW MORE
story-6
10 Best Ford Truck Engines We Miss the Most!

Slideshow: The 10 best Ford truck engines we miss the most.

By Joe Kucinski | 2026-05-12 13:09:47


VIEW MORE
story-7
2026 Shelby F-150 Off-Road: Better Than a Raptor R?

Slideshow: first look at the 810 hp 2026 Shelby F-150 Off-Road!

By Brett Foote | 2026-05-12 12:50:07


VIEW MORE
story-8
2027 Super Duty Carhartt Package First Look: 12 Things You NEED to Know!

Slideshow: Everything You Need to Know about the 2027 Super Duty Carhartt Package!

By Michael S. Palmer | 2026-05-07 17:51:06


VIEW MORE
story-9
10 Most Surprising 2026 Ford Truck Features!

Slideshow: 10 most surprising Ford truck options/features in 2026.

By Joe Kucinski | 2026-05-05 11:17:22


VIEW MORE