96 windstar won't start?

[wldleak]

My 96 windstar was acting like it was about to die and would hesitate on accerlation. Today when I got in it started ok but as I started down the road it would hesitate and act like is was going to die. After 2 blocks it did and I could'nt get is started. It acts like it is not getting enough fuel. I Towed it home put in three gal of gas and replaced fuel filter. Still wont start. Removed spark plug and it appears that the plug was not wet. The usual fuel pump noise comes on when the ignition switch is turned on. Can the fuel pump still be bad if you can hear it run? The shut off switch in read appears not to be activated. Any one have any suggestions on where to start?

[DRW1000]

Were you getting any codes (CEL on) prior to today? If so have the codes read. This will be the starting point.

The fuel pump can be weak and still make the "noise". You can check for fuel pressure in the lines at the schraeder valve. Usually the pump gets louder when failing. I would tend to think it would still start though.

Have you checked for spark?

[wiswind]

There is a fuel pressure test point right in the center of the front fuel rail. I do not know right off the top of my head what the pressure should be....key on....engine off.

Maybe someone here can let you know.....

[wldleak]

Update: I changed the fuel filter and nothing happened, Changed the fuel pumpand screen, charged the battery and it started right up and no problems since. I guess it was the fuel pump going out. I did notice that the pump did seem a little louder than usual when things started to act up. I was also told to bleed the fuel line at the schrader vavle on fuel rail while cranking engine. I did not need to do this. But it is good advise after opening up the fuel system. Thanks for all your support.

[12Ounce]

Good work on your repair!

A fuel pump motor is usually what fails when a fuel pump fails. But the pump element can also fail to pump -- even if the motor is still whirling away .. this sounds like what happened in your case.

Bleeding air is not needed on the two-line fuel systems ... those that have a return line going back to the tank. But on the newer single line systems that do not have the return line, it may be necessary. Perhaps someone else has experience on these?