Hi! I have a 91 e150 that rolls over but absolutely refuses to start. Got spark, but it acts as if it's out of gas and I know it's got a half a tank. Please help! I don't have an owners manual and want to try and see if it's the fuel pump switch, but I can't locate it, any help would be appreciated! Thanks in advance! Also, any other troubleshooting suggestions would be awesome too!
Thanks!
Dolly

 

Asking this question in the Fuel Delivery forum would have been okay as well.

 

Oh, sorry, being that I'm new I might not know that... sorry to have wasted your time.

 

When you first turn the key to the "on" position, without going into the start position, do you hear the fuel pump in the tank humming for a few seconds and then stop ?
If not, then there's a good chance that 91 is ready for a new fuel pump. I had to change the one in my 92 about three months ago.
It could also be the fuse which is located in that black box just below the battery area. if it's the same as my 92, fuse "H" 30 amp. is the fuel pump fuse. If the fuse checks good, try turning the key to the on position, climb under and give the gas tank a few good whacks with a rubber mallet or equivalent and see if the pump starts.

 

I don't seem to be able to locate any black box near the battery area, any other ideas where it might be?
I went ahead and tried "whacking" the gas tank with no luck.
Also, I've tried searching to the inertia switch and don't seem to be able to locate it.

 

The inertia switch should be behind the passenger's side kick panel.

 

I guess if you went ahead and whacked the tank, that means your not getting that humming from the fuel pump I mentioned before. I guess there's a bigger difference between the 91 and the 92 then I thought. On my 92 the inertia switch is behind the passenger side kick panal, you know, in front of the door kinda under the dash. If it is on yours, reach your hand up to the top of that panal and you'll feel the switch and a round button. If you can push it in, it's been popped and needs to be pushed in again.
Unless someone else here has a 91 and can help you more, I would suggest either you go and buy the Chilton's soft cover repair manual for that 91 at your local parts store or go to the library and take out one of those Chiltons books that cover the 1991 E-150.
There apparently is a difference because my Hayne's manual is for 92 thru 95. Unfortunately it's usually the pump thats gone bad more so then a fuse. On the 92 the pump is in the gas tank, I would think it is on yours too, but now I'm beginning to wonder. Better get the book. Sorry I couldn't help you more, maybe someone else will step in that knows more about the 91.

 

Thanks so much for your help!! I did find the switch and that turned out not to be the problem, still can't locate the black box to check the fuse, but as you said more often than not it's the pump itself... oh well...

P.S. I've got a 1991 Econcoline Conversation Van for sale cheap, needs work! LOL!! ~

 

The black box you are looking for should be right under the brake master cylinder.

 

If yours is in the gas tank as well, it is a considerable amount of work to change the fuel pump. The gas tank will need to be removed from the van to get at the pump.
On my 92, I have one big tank about five feet long.
It's best to have two people tackle this job even if you use a floor jack to lower the tank. The pump will run you around $160.00 at AutoZone. If your not willing to tackle this job, you might want to call around to some shops and get some prices. Before you go any further, go to the library, look at the book and see exactly what you have in that 91 and the work involved in doing the pump. This way you'll know if you want to tackle it or if your getting stabbed price wise at a repair shop.

 

Hmmm, Why did they only charge me $42.88 for my fuel pump...

it goes in the tank too.. mine is the low pressure system too.. 1 pump in each tank and 1 on the frame rail.

 

[QUOTE=Dolly76]Thanks so much for your help!! I did find the switch and that turned out not to be the problem, still can't locate the black box to check the fuse, but as you said more often than not it's the pump itself... oh well...

QUOTE]

If you found the inertia switch, then you could easily check whether you are getting 12 volt on the contacts (between one of the switch contacts and ground) for 2 or 3 seconds after you turn the ignition switch on; also during start, you should have 12 volts on the inertia switch.
This will help, if you are still unable to identify the fuse for the fuelpump.
In case you have 12 volt on the switch you know for sure that it is the pump, or the wire between the pump and the inertia switch; have been there, done that.
Cor

 

I had a problem similar to this on my 1988 e150 302. I have dual tanks and thought the switching system was to blame. The breakthrough for me came when I put a fuel pressure guage ($20 at your local parts store) on the schrader connector on the front side of the fuel rail (looks like a air-valve stem from a tire) accessible from the doghouse on the driver's side.

I was looking at about 10-15 pounds of pressure and had a symptom similar to yours. That's not enought to keep all eight cylinders firing. So, I dropped the tank out (easier than it sounds) and checked the little sock-filter on the feeder end of the in-tank fuel pump. It was so cloged, it was hard. 5 dollars at the parts store and the fuel pressure went up to a bout 27 PSI as soon as I turned the key. Mentos!

Dan

 

blue_mule:
As I mentioned before, there is obviously big differences between the 91 and the 92. That's why I suggested she wait for someone with a 91 to step in and give her better advice. On my 92 E-150 conversion, I have one big tank, and one fuel pump in the tank.