Notices
1987 - 1996 F150 & Larger F-Series Trucks 1987 - 1996 Ford F-150, F-250, F-350 and larger pickups - including the 1997 heavy-duty F250/F350+ trucks

Won't Start in the cold!

Thread Tools
 
Search this Thread
 
Old Dec 10, 2007 | 05:44 AM
  #1  
GBalcom's Avatar
GBalcom
Thread Starter
|
New User
Joined: Nov 2006
Posts: 22
Likes: 0
Unhappy Won't Start in the cold!

My truck ran fine all weekend long, but this morning it wouldn't start. I had the same problem last monday morning! I yanked the plugs and have spark, but even ether wouldn't even fire at all. I can hear my fuel pump, could the PCM be screwing this up? maybe adjusting the timing, etc? I have a '96 4.9 with possibly other PCM issues. (has always thrown the codes for bank 1 and 2 running lean, but it seems to run fine, and MAF has no signal going to it from PCM.) Is there a way to check the PCM?
 
Reply
Old Dec 10, 2007 | 12:01 PM
  #2  
subford's Avatar
subford
Fleet Owner
20 Year Member
Photogenic
Photoriffic
Top Answer: 1
Joined: Aug 2005
Posts: 23,667
Likes: 301
From: Easton,Ks
Try putting a fuel pressure gauge on it and see what you have.
Sounds like you may have a bad fuel pressure regulator.
 
Reply
Old Dec 10, 2007 | 12:07 PM
  #3  
GBalcom's Avatar
GBalcom
Thread Starter
|
New User
Joined: Nov 2006
Posts: 22
Likes: 0
At the risk of sounding Dumb

where can I attach the Fuel Gauge? I didn't see a schrader valve on the fuel rail (could be in the back I guess?) Also, the thing is it ran great all weekend. and when I shot it with ether this morning it wouldn't even fire.
 
Reply
Old Dec 10, 2007 | 12:19 PM
  #4  
subford's Avatar
subford
Fleet Owner
20 Year Member
Photogenic
Photoriffic
Top Answer: 1
Joined: Aug 2005
Posts: 23,667
Likes: 301
From: Easton,Ks
The schrader valve is call the Fuel Pressure Relief Valve in the diagram below.



If does not fire with a shot of ether then it sounds like an Ignition Problem.
Try pulling out the SPOUT jumper and see if it fires with a shot of ether.

/
 
Reply
Old Dec 10, 2007 | 12:27 PM
  #5  
GBalcom's Avatar
GBalcom
Thread Starter
|
New User
Joined: Nov 2006
Posts: 22
Likes: 0
Sorry, but i need EASY Words....LOL

"Try pulling out the SPOUT jumper and see if it fires with a shot of ether"

What the heck is the SPOUT Jumper?!? Your pictures are GREAT!!!! I can understand Pictures...lol
 
Reply
Old Dec 10, 2007 | 12:40 PM
  #6  
subford's Avatar
subford
Fleet Owner
20 Year Member
Photogenic
Photoriffic
Top Answer: 1
Joined: Aug 2005
Posts: 23,667
Likes: 301
From: Easton,Ks
Originally Posted by GBalcom
"Try pulling out the SPOUT jumper and see if it fires with a shot of ether"

What the heck is the SPOUT Jumper?!? Your pictures are GREAT!!!! I can understand Pictures...lol
The photo is of a 95 but your SPOUT should be in the same place.
SPOUT - Spark Output Signal from PCM



/
 
Reply
Old Dec 10, 2007 | 01:43 PM
  #7  
GBalcom's Avatar
GBalcom
Thread Starter
|
New User
Joined: Nov 2006
Posts: 22
Likes: 0
If it does run ok when unplugged

what does it mean is bad? can I drive it like this? Thanks
 
Reply
Old Dec 10, 2007 | 02:26 PM
  #8  
subford's Avatar
subford
Fleet Owner
20 Year Member
Photogenic
Photoriffic
Top Answer: 1
Joined: Aug 2005
Posts: 23,667
Likes: 301
From: Easton,Ks
Originally Posted by GBalcom
what does it mean is bad? can I drive it like this? Thanks
It usually means bad wiring or a bad PCM.
The engine will be running at base timing (10 deg BTDC) with the SPOUT out and the engine would not be running at top performance.
Does the fuel pump run all the time the key is on and the engine is not running?
 

Last edited by subford; Dec 10, 2007 at 02:30 PM.
Reply
FTE Stories

Ford Trucks for Ford Truck Enthusiasts

story-0

Top 10 Most Expensive Ford Trucks Ever Sold on Bring a Trailer

 Joe Kucinski
story-1

2027 Ford Super Duty Buyer's Guide (Every Model, Engine, & Package)

 Brett Foote
story-2

Top 10 Ford Truck Tragedies

 Joe Kucinski
story-3

AEV FXL Super Duty - the Super Duty Raptor Ford Doesn't Make

 Brett Foote
story-4

Lobo Vs Lobo: Proof the F-150 Lobo Should Be Even Lower!

 Michael S. Palmer
story-5

Ford's 2001 Explorer Sportsman Concept Looks For a New Home

 Verdad Gallardo
story-6

10 Best Ford Truck Engines We Miss the Most!

 Joe Kucinski
story-7

2026 Shelby F-150 Off-Road: Better Than a Raptor R?

 Brett Foote
story-8

2027 Super Duty Carhartt Package First Look: 12 Things You NEED to Know!

 Michael S. Palmer
story-9

10 Most Surprising 2026 Ford Truck Features!

 Joe Kucinski
Old Dec 10, 2007 | 02:48 PM
  #9  
GBalcom's Avatar
GBalcom
Thread Starter
|
New User
Joined: Nov 2006
Posts: 22
Likes: 0
Nope

It will presurize for a couple seconds, then shut off
 
Reply
Old Dec 10, 2007 | 02:51 PM
  #10  
subford's Avatar
subford
Fleet Owner
20 Year Member
Photogenic
Photoriffic
Top Answer: 1
Joined: Aug 2005
Posts: 23,667
Likes: 301
From: Easton,Ks
Did it start with the SPOUT out?
 
Reply
Old Dec 10, 2007 | 03:46 PM
  #11  
GBalcom's Avatar
GBalcom
Thread Starter
|
New User
Joined: Nov 2006
Posts: 22
Likes: 0
I'll find out tonight and let you know

gotta get home from work first
 
Reply
Old Dec 10, 2007 | 05:48 PM
  #12  
GBalcom's Avatar
GBalcom
Thread Starter
|
New User
Joined: Nov 2006
Posts: 22
Likes: 0
Took out the SPOUT

and wouldn't start, shot some ether, wouldn't start. I pulled a plug, pulled the Fuse for the fuel pump, and grounded the plug, cranked her over, and no spark. This is interesting, because this is an exact repeat of last week. ran fine all weekend, monday morning no start, when I pulled the plugs though last saturday, she had spark and fired right up with ether. Maybe it has something to do with the cold? (got to like 20 here last night) I've gotta get this figured out so I can depend on her again!

Oh yeah, I had no spark with the SPOUT in or out.
 
Reply
Old Dec 10, 2007 | 06:22 PM
  #13  
subford's Avatar
subford
Fleet Owner
20 Year Member
Photogenic
Photoriffic
Top Answer: 1
Joined: Aug 2005
Posts: 23,667
Likes: 301
From: Easton,Ks
Find out if you have power at the coil with the key on. If you only have power on one side unplug the ICM and see if it returns to the other side.
Let us know what you find and so we know where to lead you throught this.
Use a test light to check for power.
 
Reply
Old Dec 11, 2007 | 04:35 AM
  #14  
GBalcom's Avatar
GBalcom
Thread Starter
|
New User
Joined: Nov 2006
Posts: 22
Likes: 0
I checked this morning

I have power on both sides of the coil! and still won't start. Does this mean a bad coil? If so, I'll pick one up on my way home from work. Let me know. Thanks alot you guys....

BTW. Where can I get my hands on one of the manuals that you guy's keep posting? makes me realize how wimpy my haynes manual really is....especially how it goes from years 1980-1996! not enough info about the 1996 for this amateur.
 
Reply
Old Dec 11, 2007 | 05:31 AM
  #15  
GBalcom's Avatar
GBalcom
Thread Starter
|
New User
Joined: Nov 2006
Posts: 22
Likes: 0
Also

While I was in there this morning I took the coil wire off the distributer, stuck a screwdriver in it while my wife cranked the truck, no spark. This pretty much ensures it's the coil right?
 
Reply



All times are GMT -5. The time now is 09:42 AM.

story-0
Top 10 Most Expensive Ford Trucks Ever Sold on Bring a Trailer

Slideshow: 10 most expensive Ford trucks ever sold on Bring a Trailer.

By Joe Kucinski | 2026-05-27 16:24:34


VIEW MORE
story-1
2027 Ford Super Duty Buyer's Guide (Every Model, Engine, & Package)

Here's everything that has changed for the latest model year.

By Brett Foote | 2026-05-27 16:17:28


VIEW MORE
story-2
Top 10 Ford Truck Tragedies

Slideshow: Top 10 Ford truck tragedies.

By Joe Kucinski | 2026-05-18 19:34:33


VIEW MORE
story-3
AEV FXL Super Duty - the Super Duty Raptor Ford Doesn't Make

And it might be even better than that.

By Brett Foote | 2026-05-18 19:26:42


VIEW MORE
story-4
Lobo Vs Lobo: Proof the F-150 Lobo Should Be Even Lower!

Slideshow: Does lowering an F-150 Lobo RUIN the ride quality?

By Michael S. Palmer | 2026-05-18 19:20:37


VIEW MORE
story-5
Ford's 2001 Explorer Sportsman Concept Looks For a New Home

Slideshow: Ford's bizarre fishing-themed Explorer concept has resurfaced after spending decades largely forgotten.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-05-12 18:07:46


VIEW MORE
story-6
10 Best Ford Truck Engines We Miss the Most!

Slideshow: The 10 best Ford truck engines we miss the most.

By Joe Kucinski | 2026-05-12 13:09:47


VIEW MORE
story-7
2026 Shelby F-150 Off-Road: Better Than a Raptor R?

Slideshow: first look at the 810 hp 2026 Shelby F-150 Off-Road!

By Brett Foote | 2026-05-12 12:50:07


VIEW MORE
story-8
2027 Super Duty Carhartt Package First Look: 12 Things You NEED to Know!

Slideshow: Everything You Need to Know about the 2027 Super Duty Carhartt Package!

By Michael S. Palmer | 2026-05-07 17:51:06


VIEW MORE
story-9
10 Most Surprising 2026 Ford Truck Features!

Slideshow: 10 most surprising Ford truck options/features in 2026.

By Joe Kucinski | 2026-05-05 11:17:22


VIEW MORE