Last week our f-150 5.4 loaded up or something and died in the parking spot. We left it there for about 30-45 min and when we went back it fired right up. Then a couple of days later my wife called me at work and said it wont start. I had suspected the K&N air filter which has been in there uncleaned for at least 50k miles so when I got home I popped in a new STP air cleaner. Still no fire. I changed plugs around 10k ago and it has been running good however last week before it quit on us the first time, my wife complained of massive fuel fumes in the garage after start-up when it sat for at least a week.
Please help!

 

When you turn the key does the engine turn over but it doesnt fire? Or is there nothing? does it click?

If the motor turns over but doesnt fire you have to check to see if you are getting fuel and spark. Turn the key to the ON position, do you hear your fuel pump prime?

If there is nothing i suggest you check the connections and the ground at your starter motor

 

It turns over no problem, however I didn't listen for the fuel pump.
update: I just went out and turned the key to the on position. All I heard was the door chime- no fuel pump running sound. Should you hear it on these trucks? Is there any map for the fuses? maybe a fuse that connects to the fuel pump? Is there one?
Thanks-
-M.C.

 

Yes, Yours is in a different location than mine - best bet is to look in your manual that comes with the truck to see where the fuse is - Sounds like your pumps gn out tho , maybe it blew the fuse on the way ...

Good Luck

 

2001 f150 screw , where is it located? and what is the easiest way to test other than listening which already tried & couldn't hear?
Thanks Loads,
M.C.

 

You should be able to hear the pump come on when you put the key "ON". Close the door but put down the window so the chime won't come on. Listen carefully. If you still can't hear it, get under the truck as close to the gas tank as possible, and have a helper turn the key on. If you can't hear it now, it isn't running and it's either bad or it popped a fuse.

 

Thanks so much. sometimes a simple explanation is all thats needed. I haven't done it yet but I'm certain this will answer alot. Normally I would just look to find the fuel pump however these engines are hard to see with all the accesories attatched. Where is the pump located?
Thanks a million,
-M.C.

 

WARNING: Bad News Ahead

It's NOT visible. Unless you have x-ray vision.

It's inside the fuel tank. You know what that means.....
It's a major pain-in-the-*** to replace, and new pumps run around $300.

But don't slam your face into the keyboard yet, it's not certian the fuel pump is your problem. From what you said, it sounds like the motor is getting too much gas, which might be a problem with the pressure-protection lines in the fuel system, espically if it happens a lot at idle. The pumps always produce the same pressure regardless of RPM. So at idle the motor's using the least gas, and the most is(should be) being returned to the tank. Each tank has a return line. If for some reason these are plugged, or the relief valve isn't working, too much gas gets stuffed into the motor and it loads up. Then when you step on it, more gas shoots in and it floods and stalls. All these lines are on top of the tank, so they're not visible unless you drop the tank(fun,fun,and more fun).

When you turn on the key you'll hear the lo-pressure(the one inside the fuel tank) whirr for a second or two to prime the system and get gas to the hi-pressure pump, and then click off once the pressure is sufficient. Once the motor starts and the pressure it relieved, it comes back on again and stays running as long as the engine is.The hi-pressure one does not run until the motor is started.

Good luck with this.

 

In my last post , I was refering to the fuse ................


Good Luck

 

Well the door chime comes on no matter. I did hear some kind of a thud up in the engine compartment every time I turn the key on. I still have to crawl under it and have a helper turn the key.
-M.C.