Truck won't start

[willrappold24]

We have a 97 ford explorer 5.0 that will not start. For about a month now it would when your start it, it would run ruff and almost cut off, but then you could cut it off then restart it and it would be fine until you tried to start it again. Now all it does is turn over and does not fire up, like its not getting gas. I tried to swap relays under the hood and didn't help. We think its the fuel pump, any ideas? thanks.

 

[Centaurus5.0]

Can you hear the pump at all on start up?

Every year around this time when the temps get closer to freezing, bad batteries and fuel pumps start to reveal themselves. Antifreeze leaks become more prominent also from the expansion and contraction differences between cast iron and aluminum with the greater temperature swings from freezing to operating temp.

 

[willrappold24]

Haven't tried to listen for pump. The fuel filter hasn't been changed on the truck (202,000+ miles) so we are going to start there, while we have the filter off we are going to turn the key and see if gas comes flying out. If it does back to the drawing board again. The funny about about this is the start rough thing, was that it was inconstant, it could do it for a whole day or once every few days.

 

[J_C]

Get a fuel pressure gauge, put it on the fuel rail valve. Turn ignition key one click and see what the PSI reading is. Try to start the vehicle and see what the PSI reading is roughly running.

No need to see if fuel comes out with the filter off. A simple test without a pressure reading can be done on the fuel rail valve with the filter on still. If the pump is working you'll have some amount of pressure, telling the same as if you did it with the filter off. If the pump isn't working then you ought to replace the pump right before changing the filter.

 

[willrappold24]

The pump has gone bad, ordered a replacement from advance auto, along with a new fuel filter. Thanks for everyone's help.

 

[J_C]

It might be a lot cheaper on Rock Auto... if you have to order and wait for it anyway. Then again I could be wrong, some of Advance Auto's coupon codes bring prices down and RA has the shipping charge.