Starting problem with EFI 302
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Elder User
Joined: Oct 2003
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From: Gulf Shores, AL
Starting problem with EFI 302
I am at a loss here guys maybe you can help. First thing in the morning when I go to crank my truck it does not start. I cycle the fuel pump 3 or 4 times, still nothing, If I bump my switch a couple of times for just a second and sometimes it will start but studder and run rough for a second. If I just hold the key down it just turns over? Any ideas to help. 
More Turbo
Joined: Oct 2004
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From: Marana, AZ
As with any motor you need 3 things for a motor to start, Fuel, Air and spark, verify you have all 3 first and then go from there. 1 Pull a spark plug out hold up to the block or exhaust mainifold and crank engine to see if you have spark. 2 Does the tip of the plug look wet, is there fuel present on it. 3 look on your fuel rail facing the motor on the right there is a valve (looks like one that is on a tire with a cap on it) push the valve open and see if fuel squirts out (don't stick your face too close or you'll get blasted) after you verify all this let us know.
Elder User
Joined: Oct 2004
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From: Fleming Ga
As desertdave35 says check for fuel, air and spark in proper amount at the proper time. Fuel pump only runs for a couple of seconds unless the engine geets oil pressure. If fuel pump of filter is bad or pressure regulator is bad then you wouldn't have the 40 lbs of fuel pressure needed to fire the injectors. If the timing chain has jumped then you wouldn't have spark at the right time. If something was wrong with the ignition system then you wouldn't have any spark. You need to check them all.
One other thing I have seen on older models- Not sure if this could happen with the EFI systems.
Sometimes on older model ignition modules, the start circuit would go bad in the module and the engine would not fire when starting but would run if you got the engine spinning with the starter and switched quickly to run, or pushed the truck to start (manual trans versions). The reason for this was because the engines started with 12 volts and ran with 6 volts (resister wire from ignition switch to module).
One other thing I have seen on older models- Not sure if this could happen with the EFI systems.
Sometimes on older model ignition modules, the start circuit would go bad in the module and the engine would not fire when starting but would run if you got the engine spinning with the starter and switched quickly to run, or pushed the truck to start (manual trans versions). The reason for this was because the engines started with 12 volts and ran with 6 volts (resister wire from ignition switch to module).
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Elder User
Joined: Oct 2003
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From: Gulf Shores, AL
Fuel filter is new, the motor runs good once it starts but is a bear to start only when cold and this does not happen all the time. New adjustable regulator @ 45lbs. Also I just pulled the codes and ran across an interesting problem. I got code 512 whis is "EEC processor keep alive memory test failure." Could this be that the computer is going bad and can't remeber any of the parameters at start up?
More Turbo
Joined: Oct 2004
Posts: 621
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From: Marana, AZ
Sounds to me like you have a cold start issue. I don't think its the computor, it could very well be you have a high amount of condensation in the fuel lines or tank causeing the water in the fuel to freeze at the injectors. Its just a theory, what I would do is get some dry gas and put in your tank and run it almost dry, and fill up with some high octane gas for 1 tank. If you get the truck warm, like in a garage or someplace will it start no problem?
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Elder User
Joined: Oct 2003
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From: Gulf Shores, AL
With are mild temps down here I do not think they would freeze. The temp has been down around 30 and 50 in the afternoon. When it is warm it seems to start much easier.
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More Turbo
Joined: Oct 2004
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From: Marana, AZ
I'm sorry when you said troubles with cold starts, I assumed you lived in the snow belt area.
I know you replaced the fuel regulator already, but another option my be your in tank fuel pump may be going on the blink. My F-150 did this very thing, the rear tank fuel pump would have to be cycled 3-4 times to prime the fuel rail before the truck would run. If I got in it and just turned the key It would either not start at all or start for a second or two and die. If I turned the key on and off 3-4 times it would start and then stay running. But once warmed up it would start just fine all day. I don't know if the cooler weather played a factor in the pump itself or not, I'm not wise as to how these pumps work or are constructed. Maybe there is a diaphram in them that gets hard when its cold and softens when its warmer?
Try it and let me know what happens. Also on a cold morning, go out a cycle the pump and open your door so you can listen to it, and then listen to it on a warm day and see if you can tell a difference.
I know you replaced the fuel regulator already, but another option my be your in tank fuel pump may be going on the blink. My F-150 did this very thing, the rear tank fuel pump would have to be cycled 3-4 times to prime the fuel rail before the truck would run. If I got in it and just turned the key It would either not start at all or start for a second or two and die. If I turned the key on and off 3-4 times it would start and then stay running. But once warmed up it would start just fine all day. I don't know if the cooler weather played a factor in the pump itself or not, I'm not wise as to how these pumps work or are constructed. Maybe there is a diaphram in them that gets hard when its cold and softens when its warmer?
Try it and let me know what happens. Also on a cold morning, go out a cycle the pump and open your door so you can listen to it, and then listen to it on a warm day and see if you can tell a difference.
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Joined: Dec 2004
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I know the feeling. I had the exact same problem recently with my 92 302. Would barely start cold, but once warmed up I would have no problems at all. I live in southern BC Canada but our climate is fairly mild. I did do a full tune up recently (plugs, wires, distributor cap, rotor, and air filter) but that didn't seem to help. Checked the computer and came up with a fault in the 02 sensor. I changed that as well but I'm pretty sure the culprit was my fuel pump relay. Put in a new one and haven't had the problem since.
Hope this helps.
Hope this helps.
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