I have a 97 F150 XL (4.6L / Auto), it's sits in the garage way more then it's driven and I came out to run it yesterday and it wouldn't start; just cranked and cranked.

Things I have tried:
I checked to the fuel cut off button see if some how it hadn't triggered (passenger side foot well)

I added about a gallon of fresh gas to an already 1/4 full tank, but no luck.

I removed the air intake plastic so I could spray carb cleaner right into the throttle body by opening the butterfly by hand. It started and ran for a few seconds.

What Now
My guesses are the fuel pump isn't working as when you turn the key into the on position you don't hear the pump prime (low buzz). But I don't know these trucks that well to know if it's the pump, filter, or other; please advise?

 

Check for power at the fuel pump. If you have power, then the pump is bad. No power, check the wiring and the fuel pump relay. If you have power, and there is fuel, then check for power to the injectors. A noid light is a simple tool, cheap, and it shows if the injectors have power and are working.

That is where I would start.

 

Sorry I forgot to add in Things I have tired:

Swapped Fuel pump fuse in engine compartment and swapped fuel injection fuse in passenger compartment (no luck)

 

Couple questions

1. Which is the fuel pump relay? I can't find it in the shop manual.
2. Do these older year models have fuel pump control modules?

I will do the power tests as well.

 

Update:

- Found the relay (#4 in the engine compartment on my truck, swapped with same relay #5 which is the horn), both are working fine

- Crawled under the truck and disconnected the fuel pump wire, stuck a voltmeter to it and with the ignition off it read 0.00. Had the wife turn the key in the full on position without starting and it read -11.xx & -6.xx (depending on the combination of the 4 prongs I plugged into).

So I am fairly certain the fuel pump is getting power but it's dead, right?

 

Yes, either the pump is bad or your ground wire to the pump isn't grounding correctly. I'd bet on the pump though. Good luck

 

Problem Solved - it was the pump. I went the route of dropping the tank even though there was a 1/4 of a tank of gas in it; about a 3 hr job for me on the floor with jacks. Swapped the fuel filter while I was at it, oh and if you don't have a ford fuel line tool pick one up before you start.