Recently my 1997 F150 4x4 4.6L 95K miles decided to stop running. After staring at the motor and kicking the tires I had it towed back to my brother's house. After having it unloaded from the tow truck we started trying to figure out the problem and came to the conclusion that it was the Fuel Pump Switch. Made the 3 hour trip back home and drove to work for a week just fine. Then out of the blue it sputtered to a stop beside the road. No fuel at the fuel pressure test port. After dragging it the 2 miles home started looking into replacing the Fuel Pump. On a whim I hooked up a Fuel Pressure guage. With the key on not running it registered 38 PSI and now it runs with 35 PSI while running. Now for my question(s). Is there a code that will tell me that there are problems with the Fuel Pump and it's ready to die? Or do I just roll the dice and see where I'm left beside the road? Or fork out the money for a Fuel Pump that might not really be bad?

Sorry for being so long winded. Any suggestions will be gladly accepted.

 

The fact that the switch was toast could indeed indicate that the fuel pump is on its way out. The only way you can know for sure is when you can NOT get fuel pressure while the fuel pump is getting voltage.

Also since it is now running, get in a position where you can hear the pump and have someone turn on the key but not the engine. If the pump sounds like it's full of gravel, then it is probably worth replacing the pump.

Good luck,
Doc

 

It's pulling locked rotor when theres not fuel pressure.Likely a bad bearing on the low pressure pump where if it starts it runs.I had to used to have to an areostar with this and had to take out the rear seats so i could go jump on the floor above the gas tank to get it going lol.If it wont start turn the key to off and whack the gas tank with a broom stick and try to restart it.Also I put LUCAS fuel additive in the gas.It will lube the low pressure pump and does pay for itself and more in gas savings.Time for a pump i bet.

 

When an electric fuel pump dies, it dies. I have seenthem start working again but it is only a short term thing. Before you replace the pump, I suggest you look at the harness that connects at the pump. I had a 93 Mustang that died, I replaced the pump, and a week later, the car died again. I pulled the tank and replaced again, died a few days later. After all that, I looked at the harness connector and found that one of the connections was intermittent. Replaced the harness and never had an issue again. Of course, I had two spare pumps on the shelf that I gave to the guy that bought the car.

If the fuel pump switch had to be reset, this could be the reason why so I suggest you check your harness before you replace the pump. If you want to be on the safe side, replace the pump too because the pump is less expensive than the towing charges!

John