not getting fuel to engine HELP!!!!

I just bought a 1987 F150 EFI engine and was told the only things wrong with it was the exhaust needed replaced and the power brake booster was out. We replaced these two things this past weekend and was out driving it! Then it sat for about four hours and I went to take it to the station to fill the tanks and it wouldn't start. We are getting spark and can get the truck to start for about two seconds if we spray fuel directly in it. Already checked the reset switch under the dash and it is OK and someone said to check the schrader valve while trying to start it and nothing happened when I pushed on the schrader valve while truck was cranking. We took the fuel line off from the engine side of the fuel filter and have fuel up to that point ---- any ideas or things that we should check?!?!?

I had the same problem! take off your ignition module and take it up to auto zone and get it tested. it is located on the side of your distributor. (it takes a special tool to remove)

i agree with big ball

Can you hear the fuel pump turn on when you turn on the key? If not, make sure that your dash lights are coming on when you turn the key to "on". If not, you need a new ignition switch. If they are, check your fuel pump relay under the hood.

Can you hear the fuel pump turn on when you turn on the key? If not, make sure that your dash lights are coming on when you turn the key to "on". If not, you need a new ignition switch. If they are, check your fuel pump relay under the hood.

We think we hear the fuel pump turn on --- at least we hear a slight 'clicking' noise which we assume is the pump and/or relay sending fuel. Yes we have dash lights when the key is in the 'on' position. Where is and how do we check the fuel pump relay?!?!

I had the same problem! take off your ignition module and take it up to auto zone and get it tested. it is located on the side of your distributor. (it takes a special tool to remove)

OK - we will get it tested and I will post and let you know what we find out. I was reading someone else's problem post yesterday and someone said something about checking the iginition module so I have that on my list of 'what ifs'! I didn't know you could have it tested before buying a new one though - thanks for that helpful info.

You will hear the relay "click" under the hood and the pump will sound like a "buzz" under the the truck until it pressurizes the system. Also take off the gas cap and have someone listen for the pump in the tank. The sound is faint but can be heard. I believe the fuel pump relay has the fewest amount of wires going to it. the other relay is for your PCM.

You will find 3 fuel pumps on the dual tank system. One in each tank and a high pressure fuel pump on the frame rail right side.
First check for spark to plugs. The ign modjule trigers this as was stated in upper post.
If you have good spark start checking for power to fuel pumps. The one in the tank and high pressure pump on the frame.
If both of them have power and run check the fuel pressure for being up to specs.
MT-2500

OK - someone on another forum told me try the fuel pressure regulator so we changed it -- no fuel still. Took the iginiton module off and up to AutoZone and they said it tested good and we confirmed we do have spark so we know its a fuel problem. AutoZone suggested one or more of my fuel pumps (dual tank system) -- now my question is how do I know which pump it might be?!?!? The external one on the frame looks REALLY rusted out so I am going to guess it will probably need replaced but how can I check before I spend over $200 on a new one?!?!? Putting our ear to the tank doesn't help because we really don't know what we should be listening for and we live in a noisy city so not sure we could hear it even if we knew what to listen for. (ha ha ha) Also since it is a dual tank system there is a 'reservoir' on the frame - could that be bad or no?!?!?

On the high pressure pump on the frame check for 12 voltage to it. If it is getting 12 volts you should hear it run and it should put out high fuel pressure.
You will need a fuel pressure gauge hooked up to the fuel pressure test port. Pressure from it should be 50/60 lbs.
On the in tank pumps they are low pressure 3/4 lbs and they are switched on and off from the fuel select switch. To check them tap the fuel line before the high pressure pump and watch for low pressure on the line.
The reservoir on the frame is switched by fuel pump in the tank. When one tank fump is running it pushes the reservior valve over and shuts off other tank.
Older reservoirs had a sock filter in the bottom but your probably does not have it.
Check the fuel pressure before high pressure pump and if you have low pressur around 3-4 lbs the reservior and fuel tank pump is working.
Then move on to high pressure pump. check for powr to it and good ground and the pressure out put.
MT-2500

I agree with mt2500. but 1st I have to ask a dumb question but did you try switching tanks and still got nothing? if so then yeah I would check power and pressure after the hp pump on the frame.

When testing the fuel pumps. Remember that key on or bumping the starter only gives the fuel pumps a 30 second prime. They just get voltage or run for 30 seconds and then shut down.
A good test is to hook a fused jumper wire to the reset swith on fuel pump wire side.
That should give you 12 volts power to the main high pressure pump and one fuel tank.
If one tank pump does not run switch the fuel switch to the other tank and see if it runs.
Also remember the fuel select switch switches the fuel tanks.
Does the fuel select switch the fuel gauge from on tank to the other?
After jumping the reset switch get a test light and check for 12 volt power to main fuel pump and check for power at one or the other fuel tanks when switching the fuel select switch.
Get us know how it goes.
MT-2500

get new fuel line..... my dad had same problem, juss to make sure, get an air compressor, and on the fuel rail thingy there a valve. like the one to pump up the tires..... put air in it, and crank the motor, prolly will start right up then die when the air runs out

OK guys!!! HELP some more!!! I don't have all the tools needed to do all the pressure checking and stuff and the external pump looked SO old and a local parts store had one for only $85 so I took it off and bought a new one . . . still won't start. Know for sure that the external pump was bad though because I now know what you meant by you would hear it because when it still wouldn't start we took the fuel line off the pump and tried to start it and you can hear the pump working and fuel definitely gets to the engine side of the external pump. Also has a new fuel filter so I know that isn't the issue either. I also went ahead an replaced the fuel pressure regulator because it was only a $20 part. What next?!?! Also, can someone tell me what the heck this 'thing' is at the rear of the manifold . . . on the top side it has a thick rubber hose attached to it which runs to another 'thing' with a wire attached and then the rubber hose runs from that down to the catalytic converter and on the bottom side of this 'thing' is a metal hose that runs into the engine ----- what is this 'thing' and will it effect the starting of my truck because on the top side where the rubber hose and it meet it is busted off?!?!?!? We have an air compressor so we are going to try that suggestion tomorrow but in the meantime any more advise anyone has would be GREATLY appreciated!!! I DO NOT want to have to take my truck into the repair shop if I can avoid it! THANKS ALL for your help so far. :-)

I would keep the air pressure off of it.
A fuel pressure gas is a have to have idem to check it out.
Also check for the pumps in the tanks running.
Does the fuel switch valve switch the tanks back and forth.
If the intank pump is working it will pump low pressure fuel to the high pressure pump.
Check the back of the high pressure pump for low pressure fuel.
The other thing sounds like part of the egr valve or egr valve system. It sould not keep it from running. get it running and then fix it.
MT-2500

okay...we need to go back to the basics. have you checked for spark from the #1 spark plug? have you changed or checked you rotor and cap?

my dad had the same problem on a 89 ranger we replaced all the wiring on the truck and it workes great now