escodsm

Hola,

So the truck has been running GREAT since I did the intake gaskets and plugs. Until last Thursday, when on the interstate I suddenly got ZERO throttle response, and had to coast it to the breakdown lane. The truck would start right up, but not drive. Could be a million different things, right? Right.

Well, after a $120 tow home, wouldn't you know the truck started and I drove it around the block, not a single issue at all. WTF.

As a backstory to this, the fuel gauge recently crapped out on me, after a fill up, the gauge reads E and the LOW FUEL light stays on. I know I have 300~ miles worth of fuel so I have been keeping track with the odo.

I looked everywhere for that Fuel Pressure Driver Module, but I just figured out my truck (97 - 2003) does not have one.

Do y'all think this is a sign of a fuel pump headed south? It makes sense to me, that it crapped out on the highway and therefore I got nothing under my right foot. But why would it come back to life?

oliver28472

Try banging on the tank with your fist next time it gives trouble. If that fixes it temporarily, it could be the pump.

escodsm

Thanks, will do. Thinking of pulling the bed off anyway, it's rusted to sh*t and the back end flops up and down slamming into the bumper. Should be fun.

R&TBabich

Classic failing fuel pump symptoms.
The pump is not burned out, it's probably sticking or overheating.
You should have a fuel pressure test port on the fuel rail.
You can get an adequate pressure tester, #62623, at Harbor Freight for $20 or less with a 20% off coupon.
Did you try swapping the fuel pump relay with another to make sure it's ok?
The relay can produce similar symptoms and some people have changed the pump only to find out it was the relay.

the01kingranch

Try relay. If not relay test fuel pressure. As said above you can purchase a cheap one or rent from auto parts store. Sounds like pump to me.

escodsm

Related: would this issue have anything to do with my fuel gauge intermittently reading "LOW FUEL" after a fill-up? Then I look over at the gauge and it's at FULL....a minute later it's dropped out past the "E"....then back up to "F" on the same trip....

escodsm

BUMP THREAD
I don't think it's my fuel pump. I think it's my exhaust? More specifically a clogged cat/muffler. Wouldn't the symptoms be very similar?

Picture yourself merging onto the interstate. You slam the pedal to the floor and the motor screams and rpms go to 3k but you dont move. Let off on the pedal slowly, and the truck will start to accelerate - seems like it will accelerate more the LESS you push the pedal. Once you get to 65mph (which takes a long time), it will drive fine until you hit traffic and have to do the same thing all over again.

Exhaust crackles a little bit more than normal once parked after a long drive. Nothing is glowing red.

From what I understand this symptom is identical to a fuel pump dying out.
I am buying that pressure tester today from HF.

Truck has been 100% since my last post (May 23) so whatever this is, it's very intermittent.

Immature note: this is my first f150, first RWD vehicle, first V8. Should I not be able to leave a patch of rubber behind me quite easily? I ask this because even when the truck appears to be running fine, there is a hesitation like the truck is saying NOPE - rpms climb and engine roars but there is no burnout. I drove a friend's 2wd 4.1L S-10 and it was like driving on glass. I am not planning on beating on my daily, it's just something I noticed. Maybe the LSD is that good....idk.