HELP my 90 won't start
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HELP my 90 won't start
I have a 90 302 5.0. (full size)
It won't start. Well I should actually say it's very hard to start. It cranks like crazy but just doesn't start unless I sit there cranking it for a while. It can take from 5 to 10 min. just to start the thing.
Here is some history.
A couple months ago the Alternator seized (sp?): changed alt, battery, serp. belt.
everything work good. about two weeks ago the starting problems started. It cranks and cranks but just doesn't want to start.
I changed the plugs, wires, dist., rotor. I needed to do all that anyway and this was a good excuse but didn't fix the problem.
When it does start it runs fine, just like it always did. This is not my daily driver so I only drive it once a week or so.
Well let me update this. It won't start at all now. I need to buy a fuel pressure guage to check that. If my pressure is low what could cause that ?? fuel filter, fuel pump?? how hard is it to replace those. I was told the fuel pressure shoudl be around 30?
Anything else to check? When the key is turned but not started, I hear a click or two from the engine but that's it. Should I hear the fuel pump at that point? Any fueses to check? thanks for your help!!
It won't start. Well I should actually say it's very hard to start. It cranks like crazy but just doesn't start unless I sit there cranking it for a while. It can take from 5 to 10 min. just to start the thing.
Here is some history.
A couple months ago the Alternator seized (sp?): changed alt, battery, serp. belt.
everything work good. about two weeks ago the starting problems started. It cranks and cranks but just doesn't want to start.
I changed the plugs, wires, dist., rotor. I needed to do all that anyway and this was a good excuse but didn't fix the problem.
When it does start it runs fine, just like it always did. This is not my daily driver so I only drive it once a week or so.
Well let me update this. It won't start at all now. I need to buy a fuel pressure guage to check that. If my pressure is low what could cause that ?? fuel filter, fuel pump?? how hard is it to replace those. I was told the fuel pressure shoudl be around 30?
Anything else to check? When the key is turned but not started, I hear a click or two from the engine but that's it. Should I hear the fuel pump at that point? Any fueses to check? thanks for your help!!
Last edited by Crispyc; Sep 16, 2003 at 01:44 PM.
Posting Guru
Joined: Jul 2003
Posts: 1,486
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From: Independence, MO
HELP my 90 won't start
First question is, Is it fireing? Pick you up a HAYNES manual at your local parts store $12 bucks, but NO changing you fuel filter or pump is not hard to do, unless your pump is in the tank, some have a high pres. pump on the frame rail under the drivers door with a low pres. pump in the tank, and some have just a single high pres pump in the tank. but these pumps dont come cheap so i'd recomend getting the haynes manual to help you do some diagnostic checks. DW
Elder User
Joined: Dec 2002
Posts: 649
Likes: 1
From: Monterey bay area
HELP my 90 won't start
Perhaps you should see if the ignition module is working correctly...
I would pull the codes off this engine and go from there...it is the cheapest and surefire way to fix this problem.
I would pull the codes off this engine and go from there...it is the cheapest and surefire way to fix this problem.
Elder User
Joined: Feb 2003
Posts: 881
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From: NJ ... the garbage state
HELP my 90 won't start
i would get an inline spark plug wire tested and put it in the coil wire .. so you can see it from the seat ... and watch then when your cranking. I had similar starting issues with my lincoln and it turned out to be the ground in the distributor .. make sure the base of the distributor is clean as with the hold down .. and that its tight .. the ford ignition system grounds through the distributor and with 305,000 miles something in the distributor finally decided to crap out .. after i replaced everything similarly to you .. i got pissed and slapped a spare distr in. you should be able to get a reman dist with all new guts for under 100 ..but i agree, get the haynes and go through some test procedures
Senior User
Joined: Aug 2003
Posts: 109
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From: Southern California
HELP my 90 won't start
My 2 cents: Could be the EEC relay, see posts from me about a week or so back. Could be fuel pump relay, or fuel pump or fuel pressure relief valve on fuel rail. My shade tree fuel test: crank it, turn the key off, then go out and carefully depress the center of the schrader valve on fuel rail. If fuel spurts out, your pump, relief valve, relay are probably ok. If not, relief valves and relays are cheaper and easier than pumps. When I turn on my key I can hear my pump buzz for a few seconds (less than 5) and it shuts off until engine is running. Oh, and something that happened to my pump, it still pumped ok but with motor off it released the pressure and fuel backwards into the tank. Pump check valve was shot. The system should hold fuel pressure after key is turned off.
PS, if you do my Mickey Mouse schrader valve test, be careful. no sparks, no smoking, no hot motor, and put a rag right there to catch fuel. Better yet, Spend the bucks for a real fuel pressure tester or take it to $$Ford$$.
I'd like to hear from you when you find what the problem is, because my 86 is probably ready to pull the same s**t on me!
PS, if you do my Mickey Mouse schrader valve test, be careful. no sparks, no smoking, no hot motor, and put a rag right there to catch fuel. Better yet, Spend the bucks for a real fuel pressure tester or take it to $$Ford$$.
I'd like to hear from you when you find what the problem is, because my 86 is probably ready to pull the same s**t on me!
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HELP my 90 won't start
Well I found out i have no fuel pressure at all!! I purchased a fuel pressure gauge, hooked it up followed directions and nothing happened. So I disconnected the gauge and took a screw driver and pressed down on the valve and nothing, no gas coming out no nothing.
When I turn my key I don't hear any buzzing of a fuel pump or anything. I hear a click or two from the engine that's it. I heard of an emergency shut-off 'button' thing when searching this forum. Do I have one? Are there any fuses to check? Also, I'm trying to find out if my fuel pump in in the tank for on the fuel rail, does anyone know for sure. And where do I exactly look. Thanks guys for all your help so far. My truck in stuck in the drive way so I can't get it to a garage.
When I turn my key I don't hear any buzzing of a fuel pump or anything. I hear a click or two from the engine that's it. I heard of an emergency shut-off 'button' thing when searching this forum. Do I have one? Are there any fuses to check? Also, I'm trying to find out if my fuel pump in in the tank for on the fuel rail, does anyone know for sure. And where do I exactly look. Thanks guys for all your help so far. My truck in stuck in the drive way so I can't get it to a garage.
Posting Guru
Joined: Jul 2003
Posts: 1,486
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From: Independence, MO
HELP my 90 won't start
The inertia switch is pne of two places, 1st.: inside on the fire wall to the left of the brake peddle.
2cnd.: is behind the pasg. side kick pannle.
Look under your drivers door inside the frame rail, the fuel pump will be mounted inside a rubber isolator. if you find one there then you have two the on the frame is your HIGH pres. pump and there will be a low pres. pump in the tank. If you dont have one on the frame, then you have a single high pres. pump and its in the tank. and you do have relays, id check the f pump relay as well as the ecm relay. like isaid if you plan to tinker on this truck and want to learn, a $12 HAYNES manual #36058 will be your best friend! your ecm and fuel pum relays should be on the left side fender apron. Hope this helps DW
2cnd.: is behind the pasg. side kick pannle.
Look under your drivers door inside the frame rail, the fuel pump will be mounted inside a rubber isolator. if you find one there then you have two the on the frame is your HIGH pres. pump and there will be a low pres. pump in the tank. If you dont have one on the frame, then you have a single high pres. pump and its in the tank. and you do have relays, id check the f pump relay as well as the ecm relay. like isaid if you plan to tinker on this truck and want to learn, a $12 HAYNES manual #36058 will be your best friend! your ecm and fuel pum relays should be on the left side fender apron. Hope this helps DW
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Elder User
Joined: Apr 2002
Posts: 813
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From: NJ
HELP my 90 won't start
you say you dont hear the fuel pump when you turn the key? you should hear the clicks under the hood and then you should hear the fuel pump run for a few seconds. take off the gas cap and listen carefully while some one else turns the key to the on position. still nothing then you need to check the relay first it is under the hood on the driversidefastened to the air filter box along with other relays. the inertia switch is usually either good or bad but i say usually. find it and tap it with the handle of a hammer until it tripps and then reset it. also if you do here the fuel pump run your fuel pressure regulator could be bad and is stuck open and it is not letting the pump build up pressure.the fuel filter could also be plugged but you would probably not notice this on start up but instead at driveing speeds and under load.
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Senior User
Joined: Aug 2003
Posts: 109
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From: Southern California
HELP my 90 won't start
Relay locations vary. On my 86 the FP relay is under the hood near the left hood hinge. The inertia switch on mine is inside, over the transmission hump, right where the carpet ends under the dash area. My fuel pump is inside the frame rail, left side, in line with the driver's door. DW is right, go for a Haynes Manual, it will save you a lot of grief.
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