302 will not start

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Feb 21, 2004 | 05:50 PM

Pronounced"FORD"

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From: PG

302 will not start

OK. I towed my P/u home the other day as it would'nt start. 1988 F150 4X4, 302 auto.
First I checked fuel pump relays. Working and pressure in the rail. I suspected the TFI ignition module, and replace it. No dice.
Pulled a #5 plug wire off and installed a dummy plug to verifiy spark while turning over- seems fine.
I then retrived the codes with a multimeter and got #21 - ECT out of self test range, and #24 - ACT sensor out of self test range.
Now this is where I need help-
If I read correctly neither one of these codes mean anything other than that the engine is'nt running. We have air, Fuel and spark, but no fire.
Any further insite would truly be appreciated.
Thanks

Feb 21, 2004 | 06:15 PM

DRanchero

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From: KS

Hey,
I came across this problem about a month ago on my friends car. We had air fuel, spark, and the timing was DEAD on. It wouldnt fire though! We figured out the problem. Although we were getting spark, the spark plugs were too big and were too far down into the cylinder! When the plug is too long and too far down in the fuel in the cylinder, it will not spark the same and give the same as you thought when you tested it. This happened to us because we bought the wrong spark plugs; they work for like 2 weeks and stop. If you recently bought some plugs, i would check those to see if its the right ones for your engine. Now this might not be your problem, but it was mine and seems like its the same as yours. Good Luck!

Feb 22, 2004 | 09:27 AM

daerhldgs2

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Joined: Apr 2003

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does it fire ? If you have a high mile unit the timing chain may have jumped a tooth and then it wont start period eventhough you have spark and fuel although sometimes you can adv. the dist so much that it will try but not actually run.

Feb 22, 2004 | 10:52 AM

Pronounced"FORD"

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From: PG

No, it does'nt fire at all and I have'nt even cracked 100,000 Kms yet. The plugs are about a year old- they were the same as the ones that came out so I really don't believe they all could fail at once, but I'll dig into it a little deeper later today.
Thanks

Feb 22, 2004 | 10:03 PM

WALJON

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From: THUNDER BAY

COMPUTER is not pulsating inj. ?or bleed rails do self test on fuel pumps see if it is building press.

Feb 23, 2004 | 12:02 AM

Pronounced"FORD"

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From: PG

Well, good questions. But I'm afraid I just don't know. I reconfirmed that the main pump in the frame does cycle when the key is turned on. I have a little fuel spilling out the shrader vavle on the rail, but noway of getting a pressure reading as I dont have the proper fitting for my guages.
I thought of troubleshooting the fuel system a little more by spraying gas into the intake while cranking, but it did'nt even cough. Hmmf.
I'll pull a spark plug out in the morning and check spark again and get what I need to check the fuel psi at the rail.
Thanks

Feb 23, 2004 | 08:01 AM

WALJON

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From: THUNDER BAY

Even if you can hear the high press. pump in the frame the low press. pump in the tank could be pooched or 88 has that funny fuel filter in the cross over(tank to tank) switch in the frame same side as high press. pump,you have the4x4 its kinda hard to get at,its jammed beside the skid plate for the transfer case if you can get this apart oil filter wrench will work leave apart turn key on see if low press pump is pumping change filter too! somtimes too the high press pump will wher but it is still not pumping, check this the same way if you have that tool to get line apart at press. regulater hope this can help