Greetings fellow mother truckers!! Today I have for you a perplexing case of "Cranks but won't start." I have searched the threads on this forum but I am unable to find the exact methods for fixing my problem, so here goes...

This truck has been running on the same tank of gas for about 5-6 months now. I garaged it about 3 months ago because I never drove it, and when I needed a truck I would just use my '87 F150 instead (same engine!).

Last time it ran was about 3 weeks ago. Just prior to that, I decided to clean it up so I could sell it, and found it would not crank, even when I borrowed a battery for it. Turns out the started was fried, so I had it replaced and it ran fine 3 weeks ago using a borrowed battery. When I say "ran fine" I mean smooth clean driving, not rough at all, no stalls.

Yesterday, I finally purchased a new battery for this truck, installed it, and then went to crank it, and it just cranks and cranks, but will not turn over. I haven't added any gas or changed anything at all in the truck in the past 3 weeks.

Should I just drain the tank, add new gas and see if that fixes it? Or is something else the problem? All fluid levels are normal, the spark plugs, wires, cap/rotor were replaced 1 year ago. I figured if the problem was actually bad gas, it would at least catch a time or two, but it won't turn over at all. Any ideas?

 

Start by checking your fuel pressure and verifying that you have spark.

 

For verifying the spark, I've heard you just hold a lead near the spark plug and see if it sparks, is the right way to do it?

How do I check the fuel pressure?

 

Auto parts stores have loaner FP testers, put down deposit get it back when you return it. Unscrew the cap on the schrader valve, it's on the fuel rail on top of the engine, it looks exactly like a tire valve, and connect the tester. Turn the key to hear pump kick on, it may take it 2-3 times to get up pressure, also test it running, as well as when you shut it off come back in 2-5 minutes to see if there is any immediate bleed-down.

I just hold a screw driver on the plug (with it pulled from engine and still attached to boot), make sure you hold the screwdriver by the handle and plug by the boot/wire, blue spark is A+ good, yellowish spark and you may have problems with something.

 

Ah that helps so much!!! I will test this asap. Thank you.

 

If it's dark enough you don't even need anything, you will be able to see the spark.

 

Spark plug wires put out 80,000 volts - so be careful.

 

Only 50,000

 

I used to be an electrician, I'm not too worried. :P

 

What am i missing? Chris_1, fltdriver? How about starting with checking the codes? Maybe it's just me......