87 F150 Won’t Start

[Mhfco6]

Yes, the canister may have gotten enough fuel in for some reserve, and you were running on that, so that would confirm HP pump is working

That actually may be the case. I've had the truck running off and on but never actually driven, only at idle. When the RPMs get raised, it starts spitting and sputtering. I thought initially this was because the timing was off, which may still be the case, but turns out fuel could play a factor.

I'm going to look around for a new fuel pump relay today. Still trying to figure out why the pumps run constantly with the key on, you say it should shut off? I believe when the truck was running I heard the pump kick on and then shutoff after "priming". Maybe the pump runs when no fuel is running through it? Thanks again for everyone's replies and help. Looks like I need to get to work and drop the tanks.

 

[Mhfco6]

I may have bigger issues, I just tested the FP relay and it clicks and looks fine with an ohm meter. Hopefully I didn’t burn up the ECM. I’ll have to check for spark now too.

 

[rusty ol ranger]

I may have bigger issues, I just tested the FP relay and it clicks and looks fine with an ohm meter. Hopefully I didn’t burn up the ECM. I’ll have to check for spark now too.

Even if you did there easy to come by and in the 80-90 dollar range from advancedreileyzone.

 

[Mhfco6]

Even if you did there easy to come by and in the 80-90 dollar range from advancedreileyzone.

That's good to know, so to ease my mind is there and easy test to find out if the ECM is fried? Other than checking for spark as reference?

 

[rusty ol ranger]

That's good to know, so to ease my mind is there and easy test to find out if the ECM is fried? Other than checking for spark as reference?

Im sure there is. But im not aware of it. Generally when you start getting alot of weird issues/diagnosis that dont make sense. You can pull the ECM and open it up and look for leaking capacitors or other obvious damage.

 

[Mhfco6]

Ahh starting to “throw money/parts” at this truck to diagnose. It be like that sometimes, huh. Where is the ECM located, drivers side firewall?

 

[rusty ol ranger]

Ahh starting to “throw money/parts” at this truck to diagnose. It be like that sometimes, huh. Where is the ECM located, drivers side firewall?

Drivers side kick panel in the cab...you know the panel next to the e brake pedal.

 

[Mhfco6]

Drivers side kick panel in the cab...you know the panel next to the e brake pedal.

Got it, thank you sir.

 

[RonD]

Check PCM(ECM) connector and pins for corrosion

Open PCM up and look at the circuit board for damage, PCMs can fail but its usually just old/leaking capacitors that fail, and can be replaced for under $5
Look for water damage or heat damage

These are not "computers" like you my think of computers now-a-days, they are calculators, they "compute" air/fuel ratios
There is not alot that can break inside, just electrical issues like bad capacitors

Have a look here: http://support.moates.net/capacitor-repair-ford-a9l-ecm/

In 1987, the spark is separate from the PCM, it was this way until 1995/6 in most Fords
The PCM would do some spark advance but the Duraspark or TFI spark systems didn't need the computer(PCM) to start engine

 

[Mhfco6]

Me PCM is a FL2, not an A9L.

 

[RonD]

Doesn't matter its just an example

Another example here: http://www.auto-diagnostics.info/ford_eec_iv
Also different

I can only see 2 capacitors from that angle, move them to see if the pins are OK aren't corroded or broken

They are Black so they may have been replaced already, all the original Ford caps I have seen were blue, they are the cheaper version, FYI, lol
But Ford could have used black caps in some years

 

[rusty ol ranger]

Doesn't matter its just an example

Another example here: http://www.auto-diagnostics.info/ford_eec_iv
Also different

I can only see 2 capacitors from that angle, move them to see if the pins are OK aren't corroded or broken

They are Black so they may have been replaced already, all the original Ford caps I have seen were blue, they are the cheaper version, FYI, lol
But Ford could have used black caps in some years

Rusty had black caps.

 

[Mhfco6]

The rusty looking one came right off. Wonder what it goes to.. but that’s not a capacitor.. or is it?

 

[rusty ol ranger]

If you got shit breaking off in your ecm chances are its screwed bud.

 

[Mhfco6]

If you got shit breaking off in your ecm chances are its screwed bud.

Haha, I think I fried something when I was trying to run that diagnostic with jumper wire. I obviously did it wrong.