Help because this truck is k8cking my butt!
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6th Gear
Joined: May 2026
Posts: 6
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Help because this truck is k8cking my butt!
I have a 1989 F150 with a 302. When the truck starts to get warm its like it starts to starve for fuel. It stalls misfires then eventually just cranks. It doesn't make sense because there is fuel in the fuel rail and if I put starting fluid in the intake while its stumbling it starts to run.
So far I have changed plugs, wires, distributor cap, rotor, ignition control module, coil, fuel pressure regulator, idle air control valve, fuel filter, and the high pressure fuel pump.
I've removed all the smog crap and have no vacuum leaks. I read it could the in tank fuel pump but it does this on either tank. Can they both be bad? TPS sensor? Any body can help?
So far I have changed plugs, wires, distributor cap, rotor, ignition control module, coil, fuel pressure regulator, idle air control valve, fuel filter, and the high pressure fuel pump.
I've removed all the smog crap and have no vacuum leaks. I read it could the in tank fuel pump but it does this on either tank. Can they both be bad? TPS sensor? Any body can help?
Fleet Mechanic
Joined: Oct 2025
Posts: 1,698
Likes: 366
Lots of threads on crank, no start! It could still be the distributor or computer possibly. Pull the spout connector and see if it will run.
Verify fuel pressure with an actual gauge. You can get spray and not enough pressure to run it.
Get it warm and use a led test light on the pip signal. If you don’t get blinking while trying to start when it won’t run, then you know it’s either the Tfi or distributor itself.
Verify fuel pressure with an actual gauge. You can get spray and not enough pressure to run it.
Get it warm and use a led test light on the pip signal. If you don’t get blinking while trying to start when it won’t run, then you know it’s either the Tfi or distributor itself.
PLATINUM SPONSOR
Joined: Feb 2026
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Good call on getting an actual fuel pressure gauge—that will definitely help narrow it down.
One thing I'd also keep in mind since it only happens when warm is the TFI module/distributor heat issue. They can act totally normal cold and then fail as they heat up, which matches your "runs on starting fluid but dies" symptom.
If fuel pressure checks out solid when it's acting up, I'd really start leaning toward ignition breakdown under heat rather than fuel delivery.
One thing I'd also keep in mind since it only happens when warm is the TFI module/distributor heat issue. They can act totally normal cold and then fail as they heat up, which matches your "runs on starting fluid but dies" symptom.
If fuel pressure checks out solid when it's acting up, I'd really start leaning toward ignition breakdown under heat rather than fuel delivery.
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6th Gear
Joined: May 2026
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I am looking to do that this weekend with the pressure gauge. I did replace the ignition control module because in the process of troubleshooting and getting this truck up and running the old/oem one quit working. I'm working all weekend but hopefully I will have an hour or two to work on this truck!
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