I own a 1997 F-150 with the 4.6L V-8 engine. Right now it won't start. The engine is cranking, but it won't turn over completely. When it dies, the check engine light comes on and the oil pressure gauge drops to 0. In the past, I could get the truck to start back up by pumping the gas pedal for a few minutes. When it started back up, the truck would burn its fuel richly (I'm assuming this is what it was doing due to the thick black smoke coming from the exhaust). After driving for about 5-10 minutes in this case, the black smoke went away. However, now the truck refuses to turn completely over no matter what.

I'm thinking that something is wrong with the fuel injection system. What I don't know is whether it could be the fuel pump, fuel filter, or the pressure regulator (or even something else entirely). Does anyone have any advice on what could be causing this problem, and how to fix it?

 

First make sure you have spark. Check coil packs and plugs. If you're good there check fuel, check all of your injectors and make sure they're all working properly and aren't clogged. If still no luck finding the problem you could try replacing your fuel filter (which probably needs to be replaced anyways) and if still no luck check fuel pump and also check compression just to eliminate it being a possibility.

 

Thanks for the advice. I did a check on my fuel pump and it seems to be starting up fine. I heard a whirring sound when turning the ignition. One question I have, though, is if I can run fuel injector cleaner through the system even though the truck doesn't start completely.

 

If the truck isn't running it's not going to do you any good. I would recommend pulling your injectors and making sure none of them are clogged, make sure your fuel pressure is good, and make sure you're getting spark to the coils and plugs.

 

How did you make sense of that post ? In explanation, the terminology has to be wrong or this guy is high lol. Posts the engine is cranking -comma- then post it wont turn over all the way ? Which is it lol. I'm guessing it turns over fine, it just won't fire. Is that what got out of that?

After 4 seconds of cranking, the PCM shuts the rail down, - meaning it won't fire..no fuel.

 

Blown fuse or bad Crank Sensor..IMO anyway.

 

Yeah that's what I figured he meant so I gave him the info based off what I could get out of his provided info.

 

So my thinking of what he meant is good then

 

Lol

 

I've checked all of the major parts in the fuel injection system today. I learned how to check all of them and did the tests. The fuel injectors themselves aren't clogged up, the pressure from the fuel pump is working fine, and I just replaced the fuel filter (it was past time to replace it anyway). None of the fuses are blown either. The truck still doesn't start, so it seems like there is a misfire somewhere, as some of you have mentioned. What would be the best way to check for spark and what else can I do to help diagnose the problem.

In the past, I was able to get the truck to start back up after pumping the gas pedal for a few minutes. I'm not sure if this information may be helpful in figuring out what the problem is.