Need HELP!!! No start and half stranded.

[SIRIUS198]

Quick bit of info on my trucks issues. 2001 XLT 4.0 SOHC with about 168,000 km. While idling the truck apparently started chugging and then stalled out. Now its a no start. Everything happens when you crank except no vroom as the wife put it.

relay > good. confirmed by switching with horn relay
fuel shut-off > button is down
fuel filter > replaced with new

With the tank out of the truck I rigged up a couple of jumper wires from a spare battery to the pump, it was still all hooked up inside the tank, and it pumped right away. I then took the sender unit out and connected it to the wiring connector on the frame rail. Turned the key on and she started buzzin'!

My pump is working, now, but I can’t confirm it was before I dropped the tank. Short of putting the tank back in the truck to see if it starts I'm almost stumped.

2 thoughts:

1) pump was not working before I dropped the tank but after bumping it around and handling it, it started working again.

2) pump was working all along but not putting out enough pressure to run the truck. I didn’t time it but it took a minute or 2 for it to fill a 5L gas can.

In either case I believe I would need to replace the pump.

Any other thoughts or things I am missing or overlooking? Could it be something else completely?

 

[Firestorm]

Even if you got the pump to work, it doesn't mean that it is pushing with enough pressure to reach the fuel rail.

When you say that you got it working, are you saying that your vehicle is starting and you're wondering if it's going to go out?

 

[SIRIUS198]

Even if you got the pump to work, it doesn't mean that it is pushing with enough pressure to reach the fuel rail.

When you say that you got it working, are you saying that your vehicle is starting and you're wondering if it's going to go out?

No, my truck is still not running. The tank is still on the ground and everything is disconnected. As the pump/sending unit sits right now, mounted in the tank, it is pumping fuel but being that it is not connected to the truck and can't confirm that it will start.

One of my suspecions was fuel pressure. It took about 1-2 min, I know that is a big difference but I didn't have a watch on, for the pump to pull 5L of gas out of the tank and into a gas can. That is all I have to go on with fuel pressure at this point.

 

[Firestorm]

I wish I were able to help you out more. The only way I know to confirm that it is functioning correctly is to hook it back up, and see what kind of psi you're getting at the test port, if any.

 

[BornintoFord]

Could you have a partially blocked fuel filter.

 

[ronbuell]

Sirius, I had an issue with my 98 twice and also with my daughter's 04 once. Both instances occured when the fuel level was less than 1/4 tank. They just shut off when the brakes were applied. I remember once seeing a thread about a truck that had a replacement fuel pump done and it was universal. The unit was adjustable and wasn't adjusted to reach the bottom of the tank. Can you tell if your fuel pump has been replaced, or does it look original? The fix on both of my trucks..well .. didn't really. Just put more gas in, and they cranked right up. My issue could be faulty gauge sending units. I also have a 95 Tahoe and the fuel pump started going out on it... didn't make enough pressure at the rail and it would caugh and spit when it was under a pull and run hot. Replaced the fuel pump and that fixed it.

 

[SIRIUS198]

the fuel filter was the first thing i changed. as for the pump, i got the truck with 92000 km on it so im pretty sure its original. i also added 10L to the tank was above 1/4 tank and still no start.

to make matters even more troubling, when i was checking the cut off switch, after dropping the tank of course, i found the connector was really loose. did i knock it loose while checking it? i dont know.

looks more and more like an install and recheck at this point.

 

[SIRIUS198]

update

so i bit the bullet and reinstalled everything. turned the key and the battery was dead...what NEXT!!! swapped out the battery with a spare i have and she fired right up. idling smoothly showing no signs of trouble at all. cycled the key a couple times and, with a tire pressure gauge, checked for pressure at the test port. got a reading of 46 psi. started the truck and checked again at idle. got a reading of 57 psi this time.

do those numbers sound right? i think they are a little on the low side.

 

[ronbuell]

Sirius, Yea man, its running! Sounds to me like it was a loose connection back at the fuel pump connections. On the fuel pressure qu., that sounds high, but then you're not using an approved test gauge either. Harbor Freight has one for cheap.

My Mustangs run at 38 to 40 psi, and its supposed to be the same pumps and system. Higher pressure is required on high compression / horspower engines with superchargers because a high pressure will get more fuel in there. I'd say your gauge is "off" the mark and not reading accurately for this test.

Take it around the block, test out acceleration, and report back. My opinion is you licked it. Good job.

 

[SIRIUS198]

went out for a short test drive and it is lagging and hesitating under acceleration. ugh! got a new pump on order.

 

[SIRIUS198]

update

ok, now i am getting a little frustrated and confused.

so the new pump comes but no strainer. in the process of trying to track one down but i think i am going to need to get creative to get my hands on one.

anyway, seems to be driving fine now. maybe a little less on the top end but i'm not sure if that is true or in my head. so while i am waiting to find the strainer i decided to get a fuel pressure gauge and see what was going on. i'll post a pic as soon as i can figure out how but, all connected to the test point on the fuel rail. looks pretty good to but wish i could read it inside the cab and have real time info.

so, cycle the key before start-up and reads 61 psi and at idle 64-65 psi. open the throttle and stays steady around 64 psi.

so now what am i supposed to think?

 

[Rudy602]

That pressure sounds right to me - a little high at idle but shouldn't hurt - I think the problem may be elsewhere, gas quality? consistant good spark?

 

[SIRIUS198]

ok so here is a link to the pics. anybody know how i can post them directly to this post?

http://www.cardomain.com/ride/3182521