soooner

I'm getting power past the green relay mounted on the air box ,according to my test light, but there is nothing at the high pressure pump. I cant see a reset button anywhere on either kick panel. Is there even one on this model? Is there possibly a fuse or something else hidden some where? This is drivin me nuts. please help.

inst.technician

You may have a grounding problem. If voltage is applied and no return path (ground) is available the fuel pump cannot run. On many Fords there is a connector attached to the negitive terminal on the battery. It has 2 small black wires . Often times the insulation breaks down where one of the small wires attaches to the SIDE of the battery connector. This allows acid to corrode the wire giving a poor connection. The fuel delivery can be reduced, giving poor preformance. I have seen where the wire breaks off clean, giving a no start condition. When it breaks from the side like this it is very hard to see unless you are looking for it. I have seen this on both cars and trucks. One customer replaced the computer, gas tank with fuel pump , relays and so on never understanding voltage has to be developed ACROSS the pump. I put a 25 cent wire lug on the wire and fixed the problem.

unclebubbles

This post was a good while back, but maybe this will help in the future, or help someone else. Inst.tecnichans advice is good, the grounds are always a good place to start. If you`ve checked them and still have a problem, try this. Go back to your right kickpanel, and look again for the reset. You wont actually see a reset button, the button is recessed in a hole on the top of the " Inertia switch ". This switch looks like a relay, and on the 88 model, should be on top of the panel, but not behind it. If not on top , look behind. The inertia switch, will have 2 wires going to it. One comes from the relay, which you said had power, the other goes from the switch to the pumps. Disconnect the wires at the inertia switch, and hook up your test light to each of the wires ( not sure of the color code on the 88, hot should be brown, or grn/yel) . Turn the key on and the light should come on for a few seconds, and go back off. The ecm turns it off if the engine doesnt start. If you have power there , the switch is probably bad. You can test this by putting a jumper wire accross the 2 wires ,and see if you now have power to the pumps. If so replace the switch> Dont be tempted to run it like this for long, its there for a reason, to shut the pumps off incase of an accident, and reduce the risk of fire. If you have power with the jumper in place, and the pumps still wont run, youll have to go to the harness at the tanks, or the tank switching valve. Hope this helps Happy Motoring

Rick Foschiatti

look in owners manual for fuel shut off switch location