Jochen1964 Posted March 31, 2022 Share Posted March 31, 2022 Would appreciate some of your initial thoughts and ideas around my current issue for some orientation on where to start looking I have parked my truck for a week and wanted to start the engine but it doesn‘t fire up. The starter turns the engine, apparently the battery is ok but it looks like no spark or no fuel (or not enough). Tried it twice after a couple of hours with the same result. Fuel gauge shows 1/3 full. It‘s a 302 windsor EFI engine from 1986. Any thoughts on where to start with my checks are welcomed. Thanks in advance Jochen Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Gary Lewis Posted March 31, 2022 Share Posted March 31, 2022 My first check would be for spark. I'd pull a plug wire off a plug, stick an old plug in the wire, and lay the plug on the engine. Have someone crank it over and watch for spark. If it has spark I'd then depress the schrader valve on the fuel rail soon after cranking it to see if fuel squirts out. Be prepared as there can be ~60 psi in the rail, so fuel could go everywhere. If it passes both of those tests I'd then put a timing light on the #1 plug and see if the timing is at about 10 degrees before TDC. If so, I'd put a fuel pressure gauge on the schrader valve to see what the pressure is. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mat in tn Posted March 31, 2022 Share Posted March 31, 2022 My first check would be for spark. I'd pull a plug wire off a plug, stick an old plug in the wire, and lay the plug on the engine. Have someone crank it over and watch for spark. If it has spark I'd then depress the schrader valve on the fuel rail soon after cranking it to see if fuel squirts out. Be prepared as there can be ~60 psi in the rail, so fuel could go everywhere. If it passes both of those tests I'd then put a timing light on the #1 plug and see if the timing is at about 10 degrees before TDC. If so, I'd put a fuel pressure gauge on the schrader valve to see what the pressure is. check all of these for sure. after that lets go basic. when you turn the key to on WITHOUT trying to start it. do you hear the fuel pump for a three second run? if not do you hear the fuel pump relay click on and off ? if not . is it a dual tank? switch tanks and try again. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jochen1964 Posted April 1, 2022 Author Share Posted April 1, 2022 Thanks for your valuable input guys. Will check accordingly and report back Jochen Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rembrant Posted April 2, 2022 Share Posted April 2, 2022 Didn't all of the 5.0 EFI trucks have the inertia switch on the inner firewall? I'd be checking that "tout de suite" as my wife would say! I'd also make sure to check all of the engine and frame grounds as well, especially with one of the EFI trucks. I think fuel pumps are common issues with the old EFI trucks as well, no? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Gary Lewis Posted April 2, 2022 Share Posted April 2, 2022 Didn't all of the 5.0 EFI trucks have the inertia switch on the inner firewall? I'd be checking that "tout de suite" as my wife would say! I'd also make sure to check all of the engine and frame grounds as well, especially with one of the EFI trucks. I think fuel pumps are common issues with the old EFI trucks as well, no? Good point, Cory. And it fits perfectly with Matt's suggestion of listening for the pumps to run. If the inertia switch is tripped then the pumps won't have power. Jochen - The inertia switch is by the passenger's left toes, usually just under the edge of the carpet. There should be yellow wires to it, one of which is from the fuel pump relay and the other going to the pump. It should be wired as shown below if you have a single tank, but it can be reset if it is tripped by pushing the plunger down. And I believe there's a ground right at the battery's negative terminal that is for the ECU. So you might check that as well. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jochen1964 Posted April 6, 2022 Author Share Posted April 6, 2022 Had a go at the issue and she fired up immediately at the first crank. Drove her for the last 3 days without any starting issues … odd. I might replace the pump relais though and I have your input in case the issue re-occurs. This however leaves me with a sense of uncertainty every time I need to start her. Btw, Thomas kindly sent me one of the bullnose forum stickers. These are great. Thanks again Thomas Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Gary Lewis Posted April 6, 2022 Share Posted April 6, 2022 Had a go at the issue and she fired up immediately at the first crank. Drove her for the last 3 days without any starting issues … odd. I might replace the pump relais though and I have your input in case the issue re-occurs. This however leaves me with a sense of uncertainty every time I need to start her. Btw, Thomas kindly sent me one of the bullnose forum stickers. These are great. Thanks again Thomas Glad you got the sticker! Thanks, Thomas. And glad the truck started, but I understand your concern since you don't know why it didn't start before. That would worry me also. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jochen1964 Posted May 16, 2022 Author Share Posted May 16, 2022 The story continued …. Last sunday she finally quit working whilst we helped a friend with moving house. The engine stopped running during the ride and I had to pull her off the street, fully loaded. The fuel pump is not working anymore and I will work on that when I am back from a week at the Spanish beaches. Will keep you posted Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Gary Lewis Posted May 16, 2022 Share Posted May 16, 2022 The story continued …. Last sunday she finally quit working whilst we helped a friend with moving house. The engine stopped running during the ride and I had to pull her off the street, fully loaded. The fuel pump is not working anymore and I will work on that when I am back from a week at the Spanish beaches. Will keep you postedECC56C36-C807-433F-9C14-33BA7469A1A0.jpeg Oh no! So sorry! But enjoy your time at the beach, and don't get too sun burned. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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