Hello Members
I might be having a possible fuel delivery problem in my 1996 Explorer XL 4.0 V6 with about
47,000 miles. For the last few weeks the truck has had a intermittent stalling problem during start up.
The engine would shake and die, and would not restart for a couple of hours. On a few occasions the engine would also die while driving.
I've put the truck on a Snap On scan tool on 3 different occasions trying to find trouble codes. The computer wouldn't show any codes or errors. I've replaced the air filter, spark plugs, and oil change. And refueled gas tank with a different brand of fuel. The problems seemed to stop for about a week. Until last Friday, when the vehicle died while driving and would not restart for about an hour or so. After that the vehicle was driveable again, but on Saturday it died while driving and would not restart at all and had to be towed home.
The truck has fuel in the tank, the engine cranks at normal speed, but seems like it doesn't have fuel going to the engine. I've tried checking the shrader valve on the fuel rail without a fuel pressure gauge by using a pencil to depress the relief valve. There were "0" psi and there wasn't any fuel coming from the valve. I've checked the inertia switch and it was in the proper position, I've checked the fuel pump, fuse and the relay. Im not sure if the relay if working properly but when I engage the ignition I can hear and feel it click.
I've listen for a noise from the fuel pump inside the gas tank but I cannot hear anything when the ignition is turned on, and nor do I remember if it did it before. I've cycle the ignition 20 times at 5 sec. intervals and checked the shrader valve and it still has "0" psi (with the pencil method).
I have the Chilton's 1991 1999 repair manual 26688 and on Fuel System 5-7 Figure 12 fuel pump test. It tells you how to test
the fuel pump but I need to find VIP connection. What is that and where is it at.
If my fuel pump is bad can I remove the out going line to the fuel filter and put a electric fuel pump running from a gas can to supply fuel to the engine ? Or will this damage anything. I just wanted to make sure it is the pump because the want $200 for a new one.
My understanding is that I should have about 35 to 40 psi at the shrader, and I don't have any pressure at all. So, I am assuming that it might be the fuel pump. If you have any advice or suggestions please post.

Thanks for your time!

 

If you have 0 Psi at the shrader valve , then either the pump is bad , lines restricted or the connections are loose or damaged . I wouldnt try hooking up some other kind of pump . Altering things like this usually ends up with more trouble than you started with . Give the connection back at the tank a close look first . Check that you have power back at the connection . I know these pumps are pricey , but we're a captive audience , we have no choice but to replace them if they are dead .
Paul

 

On Fords the last electrical link in the power supply to the pump that you can easily get to is the inertia switch. If you have test light power on both sides of the harness with the engine cranking you have power to the pump barring a broken wire which is highly unlikely. You have already confirmed no fuel with your pencil method. Only other possible cause would be crushed fuel line, also unlikely. Sounds like a pump to me.