1988 Ford F-150 4.9L 6 Cylinder No Fuel, No Start

by James Bettinger
(Maryland U.S.A.)

My truck died on the way work. I got it to start again after work and drove it home. I again got it started to take it closer to my hose to work on and it died again after only a few seconds. Now I can't seem to get it to start again unless I use starting fluid. After I saw I could run it on starting fluid I knew I had spark. So I had a new high pressure pump already replaced a couple of months before so I got it replaced on warranty. Still no start so I know I am getting fuel to the high pressure pump and to the fuel pressure regulator. I changed the fuel pressure regulator with no success. I then changed the ignition module with no effect. I am at the end of my rope here with no ride to work. Please any help you can give would be greatly appreciated.

Thanks,
James B.

Steve Says,

It sounds like you are right in saying that you have good spark and probably good fuel pressure. This helps us narrow down the possible causes for your fuel system problem.

The first thing that comes to mind is that you should check your fuel pressure just to make sure it is not dropping out. This is a very easy thing to check with a fuel pressure gauge.

It sounds like the computer might not be telling the fuel injectors to turn on. Your trucks computer gets information from the crankshaft and camshaft sensors (as well as a few others) to determine when to fire the injectors and for how long.

What you need to do is get a "noid" light and plug it into the injector harness. Then crank your engine like you are trying to start it. If the computer is telling the injectors to come on then the light will blink. This is one of the best ways to tell if they are working. You can also use a long screwdriver and put one end on the injector and the other on your ear and see if you can hear a "pulse". This is much harder because there are so many other noises that can be similar. Here is a noid light set that I recommend:



Once you determine whether or not the computer is turning on your injectors you will be able to narrow it down more. If the injectors are coming on then you need to look at timing, exhaust backpressure (possible plugged exhaust), etc. If they are not coming on then you need to look at crankshaft and camshaft sensors, wiring, etc.

Good luck with your no start. I hope this has helped.