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

Electrical issues please help

Thread Tools
 
Search this Thread
 
Old Aug 12, 2022 | 07:34 PM
  #16  
Dieseloholic1's Avatar
Dieseloholic1
Thread Starter
|
Tuned
Joined: Apr 2018
Posts: 277
Likes: 1
So I put in a new starter solenoid installed I've got power coming to the starter wire on the solenoid should I replace the ignition switch under the column?
 
Reply
Old Aug 12, 2022 | 10:01 PM
  #17  
88n94's Avatar
88n94
Cargo Master
20 Year Member
Joined: Jan 2004
Posts: 3,118
Likes: 149
From: South Dakota
So are you now back to where the engine won't crank over? If so, pull that little slip on wire off the solenoid and run a jumper from the positive battery post to that now bare small post on the solenoid. This will tell if the starter is operational.

I hope I am understanding what the problem is now. Doing the above will bypass most things in the starting system and make sure the starting system is operaional.
 
Reply
Old Aug 12, 2022 | 10:14 PM
  #18  
Dieseloholic1's Avatar
Dieseloholic1
Thread Starter
|
Tuned
Joined: Apr 2018
Posts: 277
Likes: 1
Originally Posted by 88n94
So are you now back to where the engine won't crank over? If so, pull that little slip on wire off the solenoid and run a jumper from the positive battery post to that now bare small post on the solenoid. This will tell if the starter is operational.

I hope I am understanding what the problem is now. Doing the above will bypass most things in the starting system and make sure the starting system is operaional.
Oh it's probably my bad sometimes I don't make sense when I'm tired sorry. No the starter works fine it'll turn over still won't start though I'm going to try some starter fluid in the morning and see if it's got spark if it doesn't I'm at a loss considering it's got a whole new distributor that also includes the PCM I think it's called it's mounted on the distributor and a new coil as well the spark plug wires are newish and their lifetime duralast Gold. I'll have an update sometime tomorrow for sure thanks again for the help I really appreciate it
 
Reply
Old Aug 12, 2022 | 10:37 PM
  #19  
88n94's Avatar
88n94
Cargo Master
20 Year Member
Joined: Jan 2004
Posts: 3,118
Likes: 149
From: South Dakota
Well you could replace the ignition switch on the steering column. Usually the rod that connects the key tumbler to the ignition switch goes bad instead of the ignition switch on 87-91 Ford trucks, it is called the actuator. But first I would check to see if you have power up to the coil through one of the small wires that hook onto the coil with the ignition switch turned on.

Are you now hearing the fuel pumps for a second each time you turn the key on?
 
Reply
Old Aug 12, 2022 | 10:43 PM
  #20  
Dieseloholic1's Avatar
Dieseloholic1
Thread Starter
|
Tuned
Joined: Apr 2018
Posts: 277
Likes: 1
Originally Posted by 88n94
Well you could replace the ignition switch on the steering column. Usually the rod that connects the key tumbler to the ignition switch goes bad instead of the ignition switch on 87-91 Ford trucks, it is called the actuator. But first I would check to see if you have power up to the coil through one of the small wires that hook onto the coil with the ignition switch turned on.

Are you now hearing the fuel pumps for a second each time you turn the key on?
That's good to know I'll probably hold off on replacing that then. Noted thank you I didn't realize it was called and actuator. Okay I can check that tomorrow does it matter which wire? No but I'm thinking that's because I don't have any of those relays up front sitting straight up and down right now I'm going to put them back into the housing tomorrow and if the relays don't kick in I've got some new ones that I can put in thanks again for helping me get this back on the road I really appreciate it
 
Reply
Old Aug 12, 2022 | 11:08 PM
  #21  
88n94's Avatar
88n94
Cargo Master
20 Year Member
Joined: Jan 2004
Posts: 3,118
Likes: 149
From: South Dakota
Just to be clear, the actuator is the rod that links the key tumber to the actual ignition switch. I would doubt that either the actuator rod or the igntion switch is bad if you can crank the engine over using the key.

Yes it would matter which small wire should power to it on the coil. It would be the one coming from the ignition switch, just check them both for power, I don't know myself offhand I don't have to do it very often. Don't forget to turn the ignition switch on.

Yeah there is no need to try starting it until you can hear the fuel pump for a second when you turn the ignition switch on. I would guess that is likely the problem.
 
Reply
Old Aug 12, 2022 | 11:09 PM
  #22  
sandymane's Avatar
sandymane
Lead Driver
Joined: Oct 2016
Posts: 6,185
Likes: 633
From: Houston/Sugar Land
Originally Posted by Dieseloholic1
That's good to know I'll probably hold off on replacing that then. Noted thank you I didn't realize it was called and actuator. Okay I can check that tomorrow does it matter which wire? No but I'm thinking that's because I don't have any of those relays up front sitting straight up and down right now I'm going to put them back into the housing tomorrow and if the relays don't kick in I've got some new ones that I can put in thanks again for helping me get this back on the road I really appreciate it
Oops. In your first post you said you just put new relays in.
 
Reply
Old Aug 13, 2022 | 08:32 AM
  #23  
Dieseloholic1's Avatar
Dieseloholic1
Thread Starter
|
Tuned
Joined: Apr 2018
Posts: 277
Likes: 1
Originally Posted by sandymane
Oops. In your first post you said you just put new relays in.
Turns out someone at my house put the old fuel pump relay back in so now I have to change it again all because they like it color coded
 
Reply
FTE Stories

Ford Trucks for Ford Truck Enthusiasts

story-0

Top 10 Ford Truck Tragedies

 Joe Kucinski
story-1

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

 Brett Foote
story-2

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

 Michael S. Palmer
story-3

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

 Verdad Gallardo
story-4

10 Best Ford Truck Engines We Miss the Most!

 Joe Kucinski
story-5

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

 Brett Foote
story-6

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

 Michael S. Palmer
story-7

10 Most Surprising 2026 Ford Truck Features!

 Joe Kucinski
story-8

Top 10 Ford Trucks Coming to Mecum Indy 2026

 Brett Foote
story-9

5 Best / 5 Worst Ford Truck Wheels of All Time

 Joe Kucinski
Old Aug 13, 2022 | 09:21 AM
  #24  
sandymane's Avatar
sandymane
Lead Driver
Joined: Oct 2016
Posts: 6,185
Likes: 633
From: Houston/Sugar Land
Originally Posted by Dieseloholic1
Turns out someone at my house put the old fuel pump relay back in so now I have to change it again all because they like it color coded
I hate it when that happens.
 
Reply
Old Aug 13, 2022 | 12:36 PM
  #25  
Dieseloholic1's Avatar
Dieseloholic1
Thread Starter
|
Tuned
Joined: Apr 2018
Posts: 277
Likes: 1
So now it tries to start on starting fluid but my fuel pumps won't turn on and the pumps are only a year or two old the relay under the hood is new and as far as I know it doesn't have a fuse in the cab thank you for the help
 
Reply
Old Aug 13, 2022 | 12:44 PM
  #26  
Dieseloholic1's Avatar
Dieseloholic1
Thread Starter
|
Tuned
Joined: Apr 2018
Posts: 277
Likes: 1
My fuel selector switch works as well
 
Reply
Old Aug 13, 2022 | 01:01 PM
  #27  
sandymane's Avatar
sandymane
Lead Driver
Joined: Oct 2016
Posts: 6,185
Likes: 633
From: Houston/Sugar Land
Did you ever pull the spout to see if you had spark?. Post 14
 
Reply
Old Aug 13, 2022 | 01:19 PM
  #28  
Dieseloholic1's Avatar
Dieseloholic1
Thread Starter
|
Tuned
Joined: Apr 2018
Posts: 277
Likes: 1
Originally Posted by sandymane
Did you ever pull the spout to see if you had spark?. Post 14
I'm not even exactly sure what a spout is but I'm assuming since it wanted to start on starting fluid I've got my spark back thanks again for the help
 
Reply
Old Aug 13, 2022 | 04:06 PM
  #29  
torq'ta 5 8's Avatar
torq'ta 5 8
Lead Driver
5 Year Member
Shutterbug
Liked
Loved
Joined: Jan 2019
Posts: 5,066
Likes: 863
From: N.W. Alabama
spout is by distributor, near ICM, you unplug it, and it removes the PCM, from controlling spark

 
Reply
Old Aug 13, 2022 | 04:11 PM
  #30  
torq'ta 5 8's Avatar
torq'ta 5 8
Lead Driver
5 Year Member
Shutterbug
Liked
Loved
Joined: Jan 2019
Posts: 5,066
Likes: 863
From: N.W. Alabama
heres one fuel pump check-->Part 1 -1993 Fuel Pump Circuit Tests (Ford 4.9L, 5.0L, 5.8L)
they have 3 test, on that site.
Part 1 -How to Test the Fuel Pump (Ford 4.9L, 5.0L, 5.8L)
Part 1 -How to Test the Ford Fuel Pump Relay (Green Relay)
 
Reply



All times are GMT -5. The time now is 03:24 AM.

story-0
Top 10 Ford Truck Tragedies

Slideshow: Top 10 Ford truck tragedies.

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


VIEW MORE
story-1
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-2
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-3
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-4
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-5
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-6
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-7
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
story-8
Top 10 Ford Trucks Coming to Mecum Indy 2026

Slideshow: Here are the top 10 Fords coming to Mecum Indy 2026.

By Brett Foote | 2026-05-04 13:49:49


VIEW MORE
story-9
5 Best / 5 Worst Ford Truck Wheels of All Time

Slideshow: The 5 best and 5 worst Ford truck wheels of all time

By Joe Kucinski | 2026-04-29 16:49:01


VIEW MORE