fletcher969
Member
- Joined
- Jun 15, 2011
- Messages
- 48
- Reaction score
- 0
- Points
- 6
- Location
- Chicago, IL
- Vehicle Year
- 1998
- Make / Model
- Ford
- Engine Size
- 3.0L
- Transmission
- Automatic
Hi folks,
I like to provide as much information as possible (too much for some people), but in all fairness, if you skip to the questions I have at the end of this post, you can probably answer them as-is without context. Either way, I've covered the bases.
Base info:
Description:
A few days ago I started my truck started as usual and ran perfectly about 5-10 seconds, but instantaneously it started to stumble very badly for another 10 seconds, then died. All subsequent restart attempts have failed. It still cranks with confidence so long as the battery has juice, and it wants to start after cycling the key several times, but doesn't.
Tried spraying starting fluid into throttle body in short bursts once per second while cranking, and while it did run, it ran roughly with detonation or possible valve clutter. Tried the same with a spray bottle throwing a somewhat fine mist of gasoline, and again, it ran roughly but without the clutter. It's possible in both situations that there wasn't enough fuel getting into the throttle body which would explain the roughness, but it does appear to have spark.
Eventually hooked up a gauge to the rail, and it read zero PSI before, during, and after key cycles to the On position. Being a rental gauge with what appeared to be a possibly-abused Schrader valve, I can't rule out the gauge isn't working properly. Subsequently I decided to cycle the ignition key several times, and simply push on the Schrader valve with a small screwdriver. Fuel only trickled out each time I tried that. Replaced the fuel filter, tried the same thing several times, and the result was a 1/2" high "fountain" of fuel gently coming out of the valve which would last about 1 second.
Questions:
Thanks!
I like to provide as much information as possible (too much for some people), but in all fairness, if you skip to the questions I have at the end of this post, you can probably answer them as-is without context. Either way, I've covered the bases.
Base info:
- 1998 Ranger XL, 3.0L, regular cab, auto trans, approx 170K miles
- Replaced fuel pump and fuel filter 2 years/10K miles ago
- No CEL, No ODB codes, no line breaches, inertia switch isn't tripped, relays and fuses all checked good
- Pump cycles on each time key is put in On position
- Truck has always started immediately and with much confidence.
Description:
A few days ago I started my truck started as usual and ran perfectly about 5-10 seconds, but instantaneously it started to stumble very badly for another 10 seconds, then died. All subsequent restart attempts have failed. It still cranks with confidence so long as the battery has juice, and it wants to start after cycling the key several times, but doesn't.
Tried spraying starting fluid into throttle body in short bursts once per second while cranking, and while it did run, it ran roughly with detonation or possible valve clutter. Tried the same with a spray bottle throwing a somewhat fine mist of gasoline, and again, it ran roughly but without the clutter. It's possible in both situations that there wasn't enough fuel getting into the throttle body which would explain the roughness, but it does appear to have spark.
Eventually hooked up a gauge to the rail, and it read zero PSI before, during, and after key cycles to the On position. Being a rental gauge with what appeared to be a possibly-abused Schrader valve, I can't rule out the gauge isn't working properly. Subsequently I decided to cycle the ignition key several times, and simply push on the Schrader valve with a small screwdriver. Fuel only trickled out each time I tried that. Replaced the fuel filter, tried the same thing several times, and the result was a 1/2" high "fountain" of fuel gently coming out of the valve which would last about 1 second.
Questions:
- When I push the Schrader valve in after cycling the key several times -- and assuming proper pressurization -- shouldn't I expect fuel to spray wildly with much vigor from the valve (i.e. requiring eye protection)? As is it, I could place my face a few inches directly above the rail's Schrader valve, and not worry one iota about getting fuel in my face.
- Could a broken grounding strap cause a low fuel pressure situation? At one point I noticed a broken frame-to-?? grounding strap located near my fuel filter. I'll replace it regardless, but my truck is 20 miles from here, time is limited, and I'm curious if that should be a priority item as it relates to my fuel pressure, or remain an item to fix once I've got it running?
Thanks!