starts ... sometimes ?

[junkfixr]

Got an 86 2WD with a 2.9 recemtly. It was sitting at a mechanics shop for the last 6 months & nobody can figure out why it starts sometimes & not others.

It would stop on the road for no reason & by the time the mechanic got there (he said 10-30minutes later) he could never find anything wrong. He replaced relays, TFI, ECU & the truck continued to stop again, start again. Sometimes it would run for a week or more with no problem & suddenly stop. After a point the owner just gave up & sold it to me dirt cheap.

I've encountered the problem once but before I could test to see if it was a fuel issue, or a spark issue, the thing would start again. Was wondering if anyone had any ideas on how or where to start looking for the problem ?

Wish I had more info. I did notice that the fuel guage isn't working & I'm wondering if the fuel pump works until it heats up, then quits until it cools down again ? Since it's such a pain to replace I'm wondering if that's what everybody's overlooking. Any advice or suggestions would be greatly appreciated !

 

[robertc1024]

Have you pulled the codes? If you're not sure how to do it, it's well documented in the tech section off the home page.

 

[Spitfire1975]

Lol. Sounds like what I was going through with my 86 2.9 2wd. FREAKING FRUSTRATING!!!! I think I finally figured it out though thanks to a couple of gentlemen on this site. Replace the distributor stator/pickup. It intermittently fails and doesn't "tell" the coil to spark. Will just die, no warning......nothing. Acts like you turned the key to off. Wait a half hour (or less) and the damn thing fires up like nothing happened. I checked the relays, TFI, coil, ignition switch, grounds and everything in between.

$18 for the pickup and a half hour of time and the problem so far seems to be solved.

 

[Spitfire1975]

The original fuel gauge doesn't work in any of the original tanks. Something about the float absorbing fluid and sinking instead of floating. But it doesn't mean the low pressure pump doesn't work. Have someone turn the key on for you and listen. You can hear it if it is running.

 

[Spitfire1975]

If the problem DOES end up being the stator, make sure you don't use that mechanic.

 

[dangerranger2008]

check camshaft sensor

 

[Spitfire1975]

There is no camshaft sensor on the 86 2.9. At least not on either of mine.