Good morning-

I should probably state that I'm a noob when it comes to cars/trucks/automotive, but have people available who can translate most stuff for me so it's all good. Bought my lightly used '93 f150 last december, not a single problem up until now. 3 days ago I go outside to start the truck, and the starter engages but the engine won't catch. It was suggested from other sites that I remove the distributor cap and reseat it and examine the plugs and so on. That was tested and appeared to be ok; also checked the cable from the coil to the distributor, but haven't been able to rule that out... All I know is that there's spark coming from the coil. I've tried tripping the fuel switch by the brake pedal, and that made no difference. Also the check engine light is not on, which rules out some things... Also when im cranking the starter the engine sometimes sounds like its going to engage but then doesn't.

Basically, at this point, I have no idea whether its an electical problem or a fuel problem, there's evidence to suggest its both or neither.

There are a few ideas that have been suggested that i don't know how to pursue- checking the fuel pressure (No idea where the cap is for it) and possible using ether to see if that'd help start the engine (Don't know the best place to spray it).

ANY help that you could offer would be GREATLY appreciated! the people at the ford store have been most unhelpful. "Well, it might be a problem". "Oh, I suppose it could be a fuel problem." "Oh, yea... that could be it too, I suppose."

One other note to add: the day I went out to start it, there was alot of moisture and rain. This is the first rain we've had and all the snow has melted. I thought it could be a moisture problem, since the only time the vehicle has not started properly is when it got moist/rainy/humid out that day. It's still moist/rainy/humid out, and the truck won't start. I did try spraying WD40 on the distributor cap and cables, but it made no difference.

 

Yea i would check the fuel pressure, the cap to check it will be tword the front of the driver side fuel rail near the intake, if you have a gauge for it that would be best, also try taking the air intake tube off and spraying a little starter fluid down there and give it a try, check all the fuses right away and eliminate as much as you can, it might have just tripped a fuel pump fuse, Do you hear the fuel pump running when the key is in the on position?

 

Yes, I hear what sounds like the fuel pump running. A side question- I ahve a front and rear gas tank, do they both have seperate pumps and filters?

 

Please explain this statement, to where it makes some kind of sense: "the starter engages but the engine won't catch."//////// I did try spraying WD40 on the distributor cap Spray a light coat inside the Dist & cap & wipe excess.

 

Yea i dont really know what you mean either by that man, if the starter is engaging do you mean that the motor is cranking over it just wont fire up it jsut keeps cranking

 

An update- Just finished the latest round of diagnostics on the truck. I checked the fuel line and there is fuel running through it- there is noticeable pressure. Also tried removing the air intake tube and sprayed some ether in there, no effect. Also there is spark going to the spark plugs (Pulled 2 out and tested them for spark). They have spark- but there is no fuel in the spark plug cylinder, it's bone dry. From my understanding, this narrows down the problem to fuel injectors or something between that and the fuel gauge. Is a correct deduction, and what else could be going wrong with it to keep it from getting gas to the plugs? Thanks again in advance!

 

The starter continues to run and the engine just won't fire up; i continue to crank the starter but the engine never fires up/engages. Sorry for the lack of explanation.

 

Don't know your year or engine, but you need to know the actual fuel pressure. 32 lbs. (example) won't help you much on an I-6.

 

1993 Ford F-150 5.0L V8. I'll pick up a pressure gauge tomorrow afternoon and see what it reads at.

 

Yea see what the preessure is on the rail becasue if the line is running there might be something in the rail or somethign slogging it up, also cheack all the electrical connections under the hood, make sure eveything is plugged in and tight and did you check all the fuses on the truck, before anything check the fuses all of them, because u said it was a wet day for the first time if moisture got in the fuses it might have popped a few or something and i beleive there is one for teh injectors so check it