No Start - 88 2.9L

[johndough]

Got my new project and have been messing with it. Got this 88 2.9L that I picked up a month ago needed fuel system work and a new ecu according to the last owner, so I put new fuel pumps, fuel pump relay, bypassed the inertia switch, and all new filters. It’s turning over but no firing. Anything I could have missed? I also swapped my ECU in this truck with a good one from a parts truck.

 

[rusty ol ranger]

Hit it with ether see if it fires.

If it does- Fuel issue

If it dont- Spark issue

 

[johndough]

Hit it with ether see if it fires.

If it does- Fuel issue

If it dont- Spark issue

Must be a spark issue then. Should I start with the ignition coil?

 

[johndough]

Hit it with ether see if it fires.

If it does- Fuel issue

If it dont- Spark issue

I forgot to mention, I do not hear my frame rail pump turn on to prime the fuel when I turn the key over.

 

[rusty ol ranger]

So you tried ether and it didnt fire?

But you dont hear the fuel pump either?

 

[Josh B]

If you tried ether and it didn't fire you also have a firing problem

 

[johndough]

So you tried ether and it didnt fire?

But you dont hear the fuel pump either?

I’ve made a little progress now, I hear the pump. Now it’s just still not firing, but it’s nice to hear the fuel pump prime now at least.

 

[johndough]

If you tried ether and it didn't fire you also have a firing problem

Fuel pumps running since my last post, but no fire when hit with ether when I go to turn it over. I’ve replaced the ignition coil, now I’m wondering possibly the module on the back of the distributor?

 

[PetroleumJunkie412]

Did you pull a spark plug wire and test with a screwdriver to see if you have spark?

 

[rusty ol ranger]

Fuel pumps running since my last post, but no fire when hit with ether when I go to turn it over. I’ve replaced the ignition coil, now I’m wondering possibly the module on the back of the distributor?

If it didnt fire on ether its ignition.

It could be the module...assuming its original. Theres a test for it but i have no idea how to do it

 

[johndough]

Did you pull a spark plug wire and test with a screwdriver to see if you have spark?

Just tested it after seeing your message, I’ve got spark to the screwdriver so it looks like I do have spark.. Only thing fuel wise I haven’t replaced is the Fuel Pressure Regulator, if that wouldn’t be the issue I wonder if it would be injectors.

 

[johndough]

If it didnt fire on ether its ignition.

It could be the module...assuming its original. Theres a test for it but i have no idea how to do it

I guess I forgot chasing down electrical/ignition problems is what I ask for when buying cheap $600 projects that haven’t ran in a year or two.

 

[johndough]

Final update… somehow now it fires off of ether. So it’s a fuel problem. Sorry about all the back and forth headache between spark and fuel. It’s officially fuel. Now to try the fuel pressure regulator, and if that’s not it then I’m going to guess injectors would be next on the line.

 

[PetroleumJunkie412]

Odds are not FPR if it's not getting fuel. Could be wrong. But unlikely.

Inj3ctors may be gummed. May not. Can test with removing and battery + spray can method

 

[rusty ol ranger]

Final update… somehow now it fires off of ether. So it’s a fuel problem. Sorry about all the back and forth headache between spark and fuel. It’s officially fuel. Now to try the fuel pressure regulator, and if that’s not it then I’m going to guess injectors would be next on the line.

Invest in a fuel pressure tester.

The regulator wont stop it from getting fuel. When those fail it usually overfeeds it and allows to much fuel.

Buy/rent a tester. Test it with key on/engine off (KOEO)...should read in the 40psi neighboorhood.

If you have 40psi you can pull the coil wire and crank the engine. Then pull the plugs one by one and see which ones are soaked in fuel....if any. That will tell you which if any injectors arnt fireing off. Id pull 2 then recrank to make sure gas dont evaporate in the cylinder

Report back.