I hopped in my truck this morning to go to work, and it just wants to sit on the ignition. I can let the starter spin it up for as long as I want, it won't kick over. So what are the diagnostic procedures involved here? I'm pretty sure that its getting fuel, I'd swear I could smell it after having it turn over forever and ever this morning. Also, I can hear it 'start up' when I flip my key. I know that's not a sure sign, but that with the smell makes me think so. I think it may be something in the spark territory. How do I go about checking things? Where do I start? Detailed explanations would be good..help keep me from getting confused.

...I hate having to call in to work.

 

Does this involve getting a timing light and putting that between connectors on the ignition components? Or can I just pull a spark plug wire and try and ground it on something metal and watch for sparks? I think its something to do with my ignition personally. I'm just not sure where to start in this.

 

I went outside and messed with it a bit. I could have sworn on one crank series it acted like it wanted to kick over on its own, but I can't be sure.

I found the ignition coil and the TFI Module - on the side of the distributor right? How do I remove the TFI module? Is it a flathead screw, one at each end recessed into it? Also, is it just the one connector at the end that does everything? If I went to the parts store and picked up a TFI module and a new coil, would I Just have to plug everything into the new ones from the old ones to check if they help? I can't get the TFI module out, and the ignition coil is in there as well. Damn Ford for their design layout on this engine bay. It's horrible.

Where is my Fuel Pressure Regulator? I don't know where it is...I haven't got a clue. What does it look like? Anybody have a picture?

I don't know if I mentioned this, but this is an 1989 F150 with the 300 L6 engine. I have a M5OD..but..I doubt that matters here.

Again...I can crank and crank the motor but it won't start. I think its ignition related, but I can't be for sure – just an assumption. I smelled a bit of gas this morning when I was outside messing with it, but didn't notice it this time. I tried disconnecting the Fuel Pump Relay..but that didn't do anything. This is really annoying. I can get the oil pressure up..and have it crank at 400-500 rpm's but that's about it...

ANY help would be REALLY appreciated guys, I'm not the most knowledgable car guy.

 

Yeah it sounds like an ignition system problem, so you need to check and see if you're getting spark. Just pull a wire off the distributor and hold it near a ground during cranking. The ICM (ignition control module) is mounted on the distributor with recessed screws and I think you need a special socket to get to it, but I wouldn't go replacing that until you rule out other things and pull the computer codes.

 

And in the process of attempting to pull codes, the truck started up just fine. Mind boggling..and extremely worrying. Makes it hard to trust the truck when it hiccups...and then works fine. You know?

I'll get around to pulling codes tomorrow maybe, we'll see. Obviously everything works just great now though...seemed to act even better now, actually.

Anybody know if inserting metal to bridge any gap between the two holes in the top of the black plastic connector that says "EEC" does anything? Does it wipe codes or what? Cause I did that thinking it'd allow me to read codes, and it just ended up making it start up first try. Don't know if its coincidence..or...what. Thanks Pyro and Fellro86 for your help (both over AIM & Yahoo, mostly).