Engine Fires but Won't Run
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5th Wheeling
Joined: Apr 2020
Posts: 49
Likes: 2
From: Bledsoe County TN
Engine Fires but Won't Run
Hi everyone, I have a 1989 Ford F150, 302 V8, ZF 5sp swap, 4x4, Short Box, Regular Cab, Single Tank.
My issue is that when I go to start my truck, the truck will fire, maybe 2 to 5 fires and then nothing but the engine cranking. This issue only happened every so often when I first got it about a year ago. I thought it was a fuel problem because when I cycled the ignition a few times to prime the fuel system and the truck usually started. Now the truck barely ever starts. I changed both fuel pumps and checked the fuel pressure on the fuel rail. The fuel pressure was at 40psi before and while I was cranking the engine. I replaced the ignition switch, fuel filter, spark plugs, spark plug wires, distributor cap, rotor, ignition control module. The engine was rebuild 250 miles ago and all the fuel injectors were checked to flow within specification. I feel like I am running out of things to replace?
Does anyone know what else I should check or replace on this thing? It is starting to get really frustrating I actually need to use this thing for truck stuff and I can't!
Thanks in advance for your input!
My issue is that when I go to start my truck, the truck will fire, maybe 2 to 5 fires and then nothing but the engine cranking. This issue only happened every so often when I first got it about a year ago. I thought it was a fuel problem because when I cycled the ignition a few times to prime the fuel system and the truck usually started. Now the truck barely ever starts. I changed both fuel pumps and checked the fuel pressure on the fuel rail. The fuel pressure was at 40psi before and while I was cranking the engine. I replaced the ignition switch, fuel filter, spark plugs, spark plug wires, distributor cap, rotor, ignition control module. The engine was rebuild 250 miles ago and all the fuel injectors were checked to flow within specification. I feel like I am running out of things to replace?
Does anyone know what else I should check or replace on this thing? It is starting to get really frustrating I actually need to use this thing for truck stuff and I can't!
Thanks in advance for your input!
Hotshot
Joined: Jun 2015
Posts: 12,831
Likes: 2,436
It sounds like you never checked for KOEO fault codes before throwing your wallet at the truck. Who knows if some of the replacement parts are any better than what you removed. There are components inside that distributor that might be failing or some other engine sensor. Anyway, checking for possible active and stored codes is where I’d start.
Thread Starter
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5th Wheeling
Joined: Apr 2020
Posts: 49
Likes: 2
From: Bledsoe County TN
It sounds like you never checked for KOEO fault codes before throwing your wallet at the truck. Who knows if some of the replacement parts are any better than what you removed. There are components inside that distributor that might be failing or some other engine sensor. Anyway, checking for possible active and stored codes is where I’d start.
One other thing I forgot to add is that I have noticed that when the truck won't start the fuel pump will stay on when I turn the ignition on but don't turn the key enough to make the engine turnover. When the truck starts fine, the fuel pump turns off after a few seconds. Could I have a bad fuel pump relay or something and the fuel pump is flooding the engine?
Lead Driver
Joined: Jan 2019
Posts: 5,075
Likes: 864
From: N.W. Alabama
does your check engine light come on when you turn the key to on , but not try to start, if it does, see if it will flash codes for you, your's should be 2 digit codes.
Fuel Injection Technical Library » How To Run a Self-Test
Fuel Injection Technical Library » How To Run a Self-Test
Lead Driver
Joined: Jul 2017
Posts: 9,600
Likes: 1,174
From: San Jose, CA
And the fuel pump constantly running is a common sign of the burned out capacitors inside the ECM/Computer/Thingy.
Very common issue unfortunately. Some will last forever, but many have failed and there are tutorials on how to fix it. There is even a member here that is doing it for free right now! Great deal if you send him your computer.
That's if it turns out to be the computer of course, but with pumps running and no codes showing, it's looking more and more like that's the fault.
Good luck.
Paul
Very common issue unfortunately. Some will last forever, but many have failed and there are tutorials on how to fix it. There is even a member here that is doing it for free right now! Great deal if you send him your computer.
That's if it turns out to be the computer of course, but with pumps running and no codes showing, it's looking more and more like that's the fault.
Good luck.
Paul
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5th Wheeling
Joined: Apr 2020
Posts: 49
Likes: 2
From: Bledsoe County TN
Hello everyone, problem solved!
I took 1TonBasecamp's advice and tried changing the computer/ECM and now the truck starts every time without the fuel pump running constantly! My OBD1 code reader even works too! Only 2 codes show up that related to the EGR system and the previous owner removed the EGR system so that's no big deal at the moment. Thanks everyone for your input!
Alex
I took 1TonBasecamp's advice and tried changing the computer/ECM and now the truck starts every time without the fuel pump running constantly! My OBD1 code reader even works too! Only 2 codes show up that related to the EGR system and the previous owner removed the EGR system so that's no big deal at the moment. Thanks everyone for your input!
Alex
Lead Driver
Joined: Jul 2017
Posts: 9,600
Likes: 1,174
From: San Jose, CA
Hey that's great news! Thanks for the follow-up.
Where did you source the new computer? And did you keep your old one, or send it in as a core?
If you kept the old one, I would definitely hit up (I forget his username at the moment) the member that is fixing them for other members. You just pay to get it to him and it's done probably fairly quickly and with a smile!
Might be nice to have a spare, if that's an option anymore.
Paul
Where did you source the new computer? And did you keep your old one, or send it in as a core?
If you kept the old one, I would definitely hit up (I forget his username at the moment) the member that is fixing them for other members. You just pay to get it to him and it's done probably fairly quickly and with a smile!
Might be nice to have a spare, if that's an option anymore.
Paul
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Thread Starter
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5th Wheeling
Joined: Apr 2020
Posts: 49
Likes: 2
From: Bledsoe County TN
Hey that's great news! Thanks for the follow-up.
Where did you source the new computer? And did you keep your old one, or send it in as a core?
If you kept the old one, I would definitely hit up (I forget his username at the moment) the member that is fixing them for other members. You just pay to get it to him and it's done probably fairly quickly and with a smile!
Might be nice to have a spare, if that's an option anymore.
Paul
Where did you source the new computer? And did you keep your old one, or send it in as a core?
If you kept the old one, I would definitely hit up (I forget his username at the moment) the member that is fixing them for other members. You just pay to get it to him and it's done probably fairly quickly and with a smile!
Might be nice to have a spare, if that's an option anymore.
Paul
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