I have a 1986 ford f-150, i cant seem to get it to start i have fuel i have spark it turns over but wont fire could it be the ignition switch??? spark plugs? fuel pressure?? i cant think of anything and i dont wanna just go buy parts and put in it and hope it runs can someone help me?

 

Carburetor or fuel injected , ? What engine ? Have you removed any of the plugs to verify fuel is getting into the cyls? Are the plugs loaded with fuel? What kind of work was done to it recently if any? The answers to these questions may help determine the cause. Does the rotor in the distributor point to the # 1 cyl when the #1 piston comes to the top of the compression stroke? Do you have any way of doing a compression check?

 

Mr. hanky has nailed it pretty much. So many unanswered questions. You only need 3 things to make it run, fuel, spark & compression. If this is a carb'd engine, do as Mr. hanky requested and check for jumped timing. Bring the #1 piston up on compression stroke, manually turn the crank pully until the "O" lines up with the pointer on the damper then pull the distributor cap and see if the rotor is pointing to the #1 spark wire on the cap. If so, I'd be checking for ignition fire from the module, coil or distributor, IF you're sure about having fuel.

 

Actually Mr. HighVolts, my father had a saying that I've kept with me all my life, and he (and you) are right. You need fuel, air spark, AND it has to be there on time.

 

Couldn't have said it any better Mr. Greasemark! Thx.

 

Come on kid_jesse , you have guys chewing at the bit waiting for your answers eager to help you!

 

hanky my 1986 f150 wont start has spark will start and run fine until I turn it off then it just turns over the fuel pumps don't seem to run ive replaced the icm and the computer also the fuel pump relay switch runs for awhile then when I turn it off it wont now it wont start at all maybe something electrical? help im at wits end puzzled it is and efi

 

The most common causes that hinders normal starting operation of your Ranger are dead key fob battery, dead 12v battery, corrosion on battery terminals, bad alternator, clogged fuel filter, broken starter, blown fuse, empty gas tank, immobilizer error or any fault in the electrical system.