i hate my truck lately

[91stranger]

So every time I think I have it fixed I get the same issue and it's always at 5pm when I get off work. Never have issues in the morning at 730 on the drive to work. So here lately the truck didn't start at 5, cannot hear fuel pump turn on.. had to get picked up. The next day I try the basics of bypassing fuel pump relay, putting a jump pack on the battery (low voltage from trying to start it for 20 minutes), checked the inertia switch and its fine. Finally it started with some starting fluid in the throttle. Somehow this got the fuel pump to kick back on. let the truck run at idle for 1 hour at work. drove a few miles around work in the parking lot, started it up few times a day and had no issues. So I pick up my truck from work the other day and have drove it to work with no issues. started it up on lunch break at 2pm a few times with no issues. go to leave work at 5 and will not start. would start with starting fluid but wouldn't stay running. so had to get a ride home, again. today I tried it and still wont start and cannot hear the fuel pump turn on. I swear this truck is cursed. I am now at the point where I need to pull the bed and check voltage at the pump to see if it is getting power at the pump or if I need a new pump. anyone have any other ideas? heres the list of things I've done to it: new fuel filter, new gas filler neck, new IAC, new ignition coil pack, new spark plugs (wires look ok), new ETC sensor and sender, new thermostat, cleaned throttle body and MAF sensor, cleaned all the damn plug connectors under the hood and underneath that I can reach. running out of stuff to do other than the fuel pump itself.

 

[Denisefwd93]

Seems to me you should check fuel pressure on the back of the manifold or whatever it is on your engine, it's a little bit easier than removing the bed.

 

[91stranger]

so just now I go to check it out and it still doesn't start. I can hear the fuel pump turn on. It doesn't seem as loud as normal when it does start but my battery is a little weak from trying to start it. I turn the key on and I have fuel coming out of the pressure fitting. normally it sprays gas up to the hood when its good. Anyone have any ideas?

 

[Denisefwd93]

Check the fuel pressure with a gauge made just for that, you can rent them or buy one for about $20 from Harbor Freight which actually has good reviews

 

[RonD]

Get a volt meter and test battery
12.8v = new battery
12.5v = 3/4 year old battery
12.3v = 5/6 year old battery and time to shop for battery sale

12.2v or lower is time for new battery right now.

Battery is ONLY used to start the engine
After engine starts Alternator supplies ALL the electrical power, at 13.5 to 14.9volts.
But while starting the Battery must supply at least 10volts<<<<, to keep spark, fuel pump and computer working

Starter motors usually pulls down battery voltage by 2 volts, unless battery is getting old then it can pull 2.5volts
Say battery is at 12.5v, when you activate starter motor you should have 10.5v at spark, fuel pump and computer.

If battery is older, or starter motor, it could get down to 10v, OR lower, and maybe a no start.

Any electric motor, like starter motor or fuel pump can get weak and draw/need more voltage than when newer, so can't perform like new.

Its simple to check battery, engine off, and then check battery engine running(when it starts ), to make sure Alternator is working

 

[Ewgoetz]

Check the fuel pressure with a gauge made just for that, you can rent them or buy one for about $20 from Harbor Freight which actually has good reviews

Or
https://www.jegs.com/webapp/wcs/sto...&submodel=&engine=&Nrpp=&No=&persistYmm=false
Part number 41016
For 31.49 +shipping

Installed looks like this.
https://photos.app.goo.gl/1GCbHc9cH3MmZWaL6

 

[alwaysFlOoReD]

Or
https://www.jegs.com/webapp/wcs/sto...&submodel=&engine=&Nrpp=&No=&persistYmm=false
Part number 41016
For 31.49 +shipping

Installed looks like this.
https://photos.app.goo.gl/1GCbHc9cH3MmZWaL6

Cool.

 

[DRanger024]

I had a similar problem with my truck in the mid 2000’s. Most times it would start, at least once a day it wouldn’t. But it would always go if it was push started. Sometimes swapping relays would make it go. I ended up replacing the fuel pump and never had a problem again.

They do weird stuff when the fuel pump starts to quit. Not sure why push starting it would make it go but it worked.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

 

[91stranger]

yeah I wish I could bump start it. my old truck was a 5 speed and this one is auto so bump starting is out of the question. So the battery shouldn't be the issue bc I put a heavy duty boost pack (800+CCA power) and still had no luck. I could hear the fuel pump turn on but no fuel pressure at the motor. My next step is to remove the fuel filter and check for rust debris in it. I know there is probably some rust build up in the tank from the old filler neck.

 

[JerryC]

Is it broken all of the time now, or still just after work?

Try cycling the key several times before starting, let the pump run then shutoff and do that a few times. That may let it build enough pressure at the fuel rail to start. You still have a problem but it may get you running for long enough to figure it out.

I think Dranger is right, it's the pump. Maybe a bad connection.

The boost pack, what is the voltage? I think fuel pump speed can be related to voltage, alternator running at 14+ volts might be giving the pump enough speed to work and 12v battery voltage may not be enough. Again, that is probably a bad pump.

My neighbor has a 02-04 Ranger and it eats fuel pumps, like three or four in the last 3 years. They've never been able to find the cause.

 

[wildbill23c]

Similar issues with my 88 Bronco 2. It started fine in the morning and drove fine all day. Went back out to start it later, and it wouldn't start, same thing checked the shut off switch which at that time was really quirky anyhow hit a bump just right and it would trip...replaced the switch and still had the same issues usually after it was warm. Then came the issue where during acceleration it would stumble and lack power, kind of started getting the hint and turned out the high pressure pump in the frame rail was failing and becoming an intermittent issue...you could hear it run and prime initially when the key was on but wasn't running all the time when the engine was running...so it was time for a new pump. Haven't had any issues since then...well not fuel and starting anyhow, still burns and leaks oil HAHA!!! that's getting resolved this fall though .

 

[Curious Hound]

You're obviously leaving work too late in the day. If it starts fine in the mornings, then make sure you leave work before noon.

Problem solved.

This message composed solely of recycled electrons. Go green!

 

[pjtoledo]

You're obviously leaving work too late in the day. If it starts fine in the mornings, then make sure you leave work before noon.

Problem solved.

This message composed solely of recycled electrons. Go green!

or check out what your co-workers are doing

 

[fyre82]

Similar issue with my 88'. It would die, intermittently, on the road, prime the fuel a few times, off it would go. I did notice a lack of pressure at the schrader valve. I changed the filter, no joy. In the process of checking the pumps.

 

[91stranger]

Yeah so it has been starting here lately. Makes no sense unless the pump has a short somewhere that is cutting in and out or the pump is just going bad. I guess it is about 20 years old and probably the original. Time to take the bed off and start checking stuff. Strange how I never had this issue in the morning. Co workers wouldn't be the issue. We are a small dealership (people wise, size wise we are pretty big) truck is always locked anyway. tested the pump when it was running and I had 50-55 psi at the Schrader valve. Is that high? I figured it would be around 40-45.