Hello,

I have a 1990 Ford E250 Econoline with dual tanks. My car has been sitting for nearly eight years. I am only able to pull gas from my front tank. I attempting to determine whether the issue is the fuel selector or the fuel selector switch (mechanical or electrical). I am able to flip my switch back and forth without the vehicle changing how its operating.

My understanding is that the fuel selector is a mechanical device that is not plugged in. It senses the pressure coming from the tank and adjusts accordingly to shut off fuel from the no pressure side and open to the pressured side. My understanding of the fuel selector switch is that it turns off and on either the front or rear tank inner pump (low pressure pump). Normally, when the switch is flipped one pump turns off and the other turns on. The fuel selector allows fuel to reach the engine from the tank in which the inner pump was turned on and shuts off fuel from the tank in which the pump was turned off.

I am able to flip the switch back and forth, without an noticeable change in how the vehicle is running. Would that suggest the switch is the problem? The idea being that if the selector was the problem, and fuel was only being directed from the front tank because the selector was stuck, turning off the front pump would cause the van to stumble and die. Or, is the main inline pump (high pressure) able to pull from the tank even if the in tank pump (low pressure) is not working?

Thanks