97 F150 XLT 4x4 w/4.6 V8 Automatic



So last weekend I was driving and while going at a constant pace 2 the trucks rpms dropped and bucked. Went away and drove fine. Next day in the morning it ran fine. Started fine, idled fine. In the afternoon on the way home it acted up 3 times in a row and then finally shut off. Wouldn't start for me again. It cranks but does not start. Got it towed home and then the tow driver got in it to back off of the bed and it started right up. Turned it off and sat for a few minutes. I got in it and it started right up. I was able to rev it up too.



From posting on here and a few friends we came to the conclusion fuel pump was going bad. So the next day went to turn it on to drive it in the garage, would'nt start. If you spray starter fuel in the throttle body it'll start for that few seconds. Then dies.



So here is what we did:



Replaced the fuel pump and strainer last night. Double checked the connectors on wires by the fuel tank. It did the same. after about 15 minutes of looking over the wires again and checking the Fuel pump fuse, fuel pump relay block, and the safety switch in the cabin still nothing. Last time I went ahead and pushed the throttle down a bit and cranked the key. It started, idled fine. So i got in it and drove it about 60 seconds nad it died again. Wont start again.



We are clueless now.





--We replaced the fuel pump

--switched the fuel pump relay block with another, still the same results

--fuel filter was replaced about 5k miles ago



Would the fuel pump safety switch on the passenger side kick panel keep the pump from running if its going bad? I tried pushing down on the button, but it will not go down. Like it's stuck. Perhaps it spring loaded only when it's triggered on impact.



Someone know what else to check?

Help!!!!



Since it runs fine when it gets fuel we dont thing its spark related. Just takes fuel away for some reason like a bad ground or something, or sensor. We tested the old pump by hooking up a 12v source and it ran.

 

I have been trying to track this problem down also. I was about to go through the painful process of replacing the fuel pump (waiting on warmer weather).

It's disheartening that you change the fuel pump and this did not cure your problem. I have posted this problem and no one knows why this is happening. I also checked all the things you have and found them OK.

I look forward, someone will identify the root cause of this problem. Where does the fuel pump ground?

 

So you have already ruled out the starter too? When you go to start it does it make and noise at all. do you still have power? Have you checked each injector? Can you tell us what other symtoms you ahve besides it wont start. Does it crank at all does it have power. Have you checked your battery.

 

Replace the MEGA fuses in the 97-98 models - Been there done that.

 

Check the fuel Tank transducer. Its a small block type sensor on the top of the tank, toward rear. I think it senses a rollover situation, gets wet

 

im having the same problem right now, started a thread on it....

same problems, mine has only shut off while driving once, but i can tell sometimes it wants to and kicks it up and saves itself. let us know what you find as i am affraid also of replacing the fuel pump and it not fixing anything, what is the MEGA fuse?

i have power in the truck, starter cranks, windows lock, radio plays, dash lights etc. had my battery/altenator checked both were good. Havnt lookd into injectors because as of now when it does start, it runs fairly smooth??

not tryin to hyjack thread, just offering more info to a similar problem

 

I wonder if their is a sensor going bad that is making it think that your getting to much gas so the ecu/pcm is cutting the fuel.

 

Did anybody ever figure this one out...... If so I would love know because I have the same problem. My Truck is the 1992 f150 5.8L

 

With a 92, you are going to get a lot better help in the pre-1997 forum. This is the 97-03 forum.