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So far from my checklist this year, I've replaced:
Plugs
Coils
Fuel Injectors
Trans mount
Shocks
Radiator (switched to dual core)
All 4 02 sensors
Pads and Rotors
Starter
Next on my list is the fuel pump. It has that annoying thing where you have to turn the key two or three times before it has the fuel to start. I want to replace it anyway since it is original. This is what I bought:
Just an FYI - I have seen the fuel pump relay do the exact thing you are talking about.
Inspect the wiring very thoroughly going to the pump, and get it as close to empty as you dare. A tank that is full is not fun or easy to handle. I would also inspect your tank straps very well, they are a weak point on some of these trucks... particularly any of them that have spent time in the rust belt.
While I agree it is most likely the fuel pump, and needs to be changed regardless, nothing worse that doing all that work with the issue not being resolved (I replaced mine and it did not fix the problem, LINK HERE).
As for tips, get the tank as empty as you can, feul is heavy and sloshes around.
I did it by myself with just 1 floor jack. Took 2-3 hours from what I remember. It would be much easier and faster with 2 people, but it can be done with 1. Getting the connections off the tip of the tank was probably the hardest part (especially the one on the back).
My tank straps were fine, but I don't live up north. Just make sure yours are fine.
. It has that annoying thing where you have to turn the key two or three times before it has the fuel to start.
Does leaving key in on for 5 sec do same thing? (Check valve)
Or are you referring to a pump that doesnt run at all without key switches , cause i agree, check for sticky relay too.
But there's certainly nothing wrong with proactively changing a 19-year-old fuel pump either. Min'es on my to-do list for peace of mind. Might as well do it on my terms, when it's convenient for me,
If you live in a northern region where salt is used...
I had a similar issue where I suspected a fuel system issue.. No pressure so I swapped the relay, no pressure, changed the filter, no pressure, then changed the fuel pump, no pressure,... Then I did a voltage test on the relay pins and found intermittent voltage when the relay/fuse box was "jiggled"... It turns out that the fuel pump relay sits at the end of the relay panel and the conductive plate beneath the panel had corroded so badly that it had snapped off where the + source was feeding the relay. A quick solder did the trick.
As for dropping the tank... Raise your truck and use a floor jack to slowly drop it.. My hoses were fried as well so I swapped them out too... Filler neck as too.
Good luck. 🍀
It is complete. A well spent 3 hours dropping the rank and replacing the fuel pump. I went with motorcraft and replaced the filler hose and vapor tube while I had the tank down.
I would like to tell you the list will eventually get finished, but I still have a list, and it has been 5 years (although the list is very short and not anything that is critical, which is probably the reason it is not getting finished). My list had gone from things I have to do now to get the truck running, to do now to make safe, to do now because I want it done, do now because it broke, do soon because it is needed, do soon because I want to, need to do but not urgent (where most stuff is at right now).
My current issue is an intermittent ABS light (although it is becoming more regular). I need to pull all the ABS sensors and clean them, and if they stay on, start figuring out which one it is.
Fuel Pump Replacement
