I am a new member and am soliciting for mechanical help.I have been a Ford man all my life and am the original owner of an 1994 F-150 XLT extended cab 4x4,5.8L EFI,A/T, with 325K plus miles engine and drive train still strong as an ox. I have had poor luck with the pay for advice on line service sites so if anybody can help I would appreciate it. Two days ago I started it and it ran for about 20 seconds and then died.I thought I could smell hot wiring but not positive. The dash fuel tank swith had popped out of it mount a while back and I could not hear the pumps running when you turn on ignition so I repaired the mounting and the pumps were indead working.Checked all fuses (dash panel & brain box).I got it running but acted loaded up(rich) and/or missing.I had just changed the plugs and new the cap & rotor to be in poor shape but were now even worse.I was able to limp it to my appt. and changed the C&R,no help,changed the fuel filter and checked the pumps flow which was strong(2 1/2' stream,couldn't check actual pressure) no change. Since it was 3am by now I limped it 30 miles back home.Next morning it tried to start but wouldn't and I discovered that the fuel pumps would not stop running when you just turn the ignition on without starting engine which they should and always used to do so I deduced it was the pressure regulator,got a ride to and back,and after I put it in the engine starts right up but is still inoperable because under load(drive) it is still acting loaded up,the pumps still run constantly,the check engine light came on when the problem started and now if you punch the accelerator it goes out.If anybody with some real hands on Ford knowledge has any help they can offer I would greatly appreciate hearing from you.Unfortunatly I have been unemployed for over 2 years and spent what little money I had left on three parts from my own failed diagnoses and fees to on line mechanics which were more than the parts and the equivelant of "check the muffler bearings" and I have no immediate means to have it repaired and really dont think I can even take the most logical independant step which is a code check, so I am looking for any educated opinions or thoughts which would be more than appreciated,Thanks S.

 

Hello there ... i wish you would have saved your money with that online pay crap.... But...Welcome to this FREEEE forum were we all can help you out..i wish myself could help you more... but my only adivse is check that switch out and make sure theres nothing melted in there...or if the switch its self is melted...

Someone on here will definatly help you out

 

Welcome to the fun, sorry about being unemployed, thats tough to deal with.

Not claiming to be an expert but perhaps I can help. Fuel pumps will run for a couple seconds and then turn off if the engine is not running. They have to run at all times if the engine running.

The loading up issue, first off check the air filter, clean and dry. Won't even try to guess the code and remedy. A member has an excellent article about checking codes with a volt meter or even using the check engine light to signal the number. I'll get back to you as to the location. I will say, there have been a couple of issues with the ECT (engine collant temp) sensor, causing a rich running condition. We need the codes to diognose.

 

OK, need to go to the pre 1997 section to find the article. Sean did a top notch job in posting, and I might add, the boy has his act together in repairing trucks on a tight budget.

 

I don't know if this will help you out any or not but if you can limp it in to an autozone or advance auto parts store they will do a basic code reading on it and give you an idea where to look for free.

 

Check the fuel pressure regulator......(loaded up.....pumps run on).

 

He said he already replaced that.