Good morning. I have spent some time on here reading and I thought it would be worth it to describe myi issue and what I have done to try to resolve it as well as my constraints. First off, I recently totaled a new car and don't have a job so I can't go out and get another. Luckily my cousin had my grandfathers 1990 F150 XLT Lariat sitting in her driveway. Her boyfriend used it for trips to the store and drove it very occasionally. She recently bought him a newer F150 so this because mine. It has been sitting a while. At first all it seemed to need was a new battery and the mechanic put some new thing on top of where the injectors are. The rear tank hasn't apparently worked in years but the front one did. I drove it for about a week with a fresh tank of gas. Whenever I drove it it would idle roughly and die a few times before warming up. After about a week however, it died at a local restaurant. I don't have a job so I am very limited in what I can do right now. I am staying with my brother due to extenuating circumstances who happens to live pretty far from everything. I had the car towed to a dead end at the end of their street as it is a nice neighborhood and the truck looks rough to say the least. I bought a can of gumout and discounnected the two hoses coming from the air filter and sprayed it in there. Of course the truck ran great.... until I stopped spraying. I eventually ran out and here I am today. My brother doesn't even have a socket set so my dad is bringing mine up from out of town. The car cranks fine and wants to start (although the more I do this the more strain I am putting on the battery). The tank selector is in the front position. I know fuel after a time will turn to essentially varnish and that could be the issue but the car ran okay then suddently refused to go any more. Any suggestions like listening for a fuel pump or basic procedures will be appreciated. I am extremely limited on what I can spend on parts and Iwill probably have to work on the car in the street at the dead end. If absolutely necessary I might be able to tow it into my brothers garage but, it is full of stuff, and I am on his good graces right now just having a place to sleep. I need a truck to get a job (he lives miles away from any real employment and I have been in IT for 18 years) and I can';t spend money reallly until I get said job. I have heard about dropping the tank and steam cleaning it then replacing the pump and injectors but again, I need to to as much McGuyver as possible and spend as little as possible. The truck isn't worth much and I don't want to lay $500 into it when I could be laying that into something with a little more reliablility.'

Thanks in advance for any suggestions.

 

Chances are that the remaining in tank fuel pump gave up the ghost, but as you say, changing parts to diagnose is a luxury. Does it prime (Few seconds of fuel pump sound at key on)? You might want to check the inertia switch, that too will shut off the pump & resetting that is 4 free.

 

I will listen for a prime but I do seem to remember it making a noise. I will be out there in a bit as soon as my dad gets here. How does one reset the inertia switch?

Thanks.

 

Not sure on the '90 but it should be on the inside of the firewall in the pedal area. The later ones I believe have it on the passenger side behind the kick panel. Should be a red button, which if up, just needs pushed down. Just a glorified circuit breaker.

 

Wow thanks man! That should be easy to spot. I might go try that now!