HELP, Please! I recently bought a 1994 E-150 conversion van and it has been great until today. I tried to start it and it all it does is turn over. The battery is good it has a full tank of gas...... any suggestions? I don't have the money to put it in the shop. I've never really worked on cars before, but I don't have an option right now. Any help to walk me through this would be greatly appreciated.

Thanks!
Lisa

 

Hey Lisa,

There's a forum just for vans now. Just go up to the top of page and click on Ford Truck Enthusiasts forums. Although being a run problem,you'll get help here on the pick-ups board too.

Have you hosed the engine trying to clean it? or been in an accident recently. Both will cause a no start condition.

If you were in a minor accident, it will throw the inertia switch to cut off the fuel. It's usually behind the passenger kick panel to reset it.

Also try to see if you have any spark. Just take off a plug wire and hold it about a 1/4 inch from a ground, while someone else cranks it over.
Better yet, they sell a device that you put between the plug wire and spark plug. I'm sure they're pretty cheap, and no one will get hurt or shocked. Install the device and have someone crank it over, while you watch the light to see if it's getting spark. It has a light in it that lights when the spark hits it.

Thats a good place to start, and post back either here or on the van forums with more info.
Such as engine size, year, any work you just had done, and if you think the engine is cranking fast enough to start.

Good luck!

 

Do you hear the fuel pump run after you turn on the ignition? It should run 1 or 2 seconds after the igniton is turned on (not started).If not your fuel pump might be bad. Good Luck,SAV

 

I am not familiar with vans, however, get your owners manual and look up the "Inertia" switch (it will be located inside the van somewhere). If this switch is tripped, it prevents the fuel pump from operating which prevents your van from starting.

Hope this information is helpful!

BandB

 

More info... 5.0 liter V8 EFI
I just bought the van 2 weeks ago and haven't had any work done, nor have I washed the engine. No accidents since I've had it and it doesn't look like it's been in one.

I tried the reset button for the fuel pump, it was down so I assume that means it is OK. I can hear it when I turn the key on.

It is turning over fast enough for it to start and a few times it acted like it was going to start, but didn't.

I haven't tried the spark plugs yet, I have to get someone to come over and help me.

I appreciate all of your imput, it means a lot that there are people out there that cares!

Thanks again, I will keep trying all of your suggestions. Hopefully I can figure it out tomorrow, I need to get to work!

Lisa

 

sounds like you have a no fuel situation, you may want to try some dry-gas such as heet, or another brand and maby a fuel filter, this would cause it to want to start but not due to the lack of fuel or water in the gas, and if its cold enough to freeze the water would freeze plugging the fuel lines and or injectors.

 

Lisa,

Good you're getting help, could be alot of different things.
If you have a check engine light on..get the codes if you can.

If nothing is ovious, change the regular tune up stuff...plugs, air, and fuel filters, maybe plug wires.

A compression test while the plugs are out.
Let us know how you make out.
I would do a fuel pressure test too, if you have access to a guage.

Good luck again!