I have a 1989 ford motorhome on a E350 with a 460 engine. I had it running briefly and it stalled like it ran out of fuel. I tried starting it again right after and it ran for half a second then died again. After that it would crank over but wouldn't fire at all. Listening to it I'm pretty sure its fuel issues so I checked fuses, replaced the fuel pump relay and checked the inertia switch (all fine). I now climb under the motorhome while my wife turn on the key. I can hear the lift pump in the tank go but the high pressure pump on the rail does nothing. My question is ? Do both the lift pump and the high pressure pump come on simultaneously when starting ? If so then I would say the high pressure pump is dead ? Please let me know if you can.

 

Both pumps should come on for the usual 2 seconds when you first turn the key on.

If you can get hold of a fuel pressure gauge and see what pressure the system comes up to.

 

I will find a fuel pressure gauge and see what the pressure is. I do know that the high pressure pump is not coming on. but now I know this I will check that again to make sure .....Thanks

 

The fuel pressure spec for your engine should be 35-45 psi when cranking or after turning the key off and on one or two times.

 

Verify that the pump(s) are not coming on with a pressure gauge.If that is the case, it is very common with Fords of that era to have issues with the ECM processor. To visually confirm this age related issue, remove its cover. There are three electrolytic capacitors that will bulge out and or leak their contents onto the circuit board. The electrolytic capacitors can be identified with either a + or - indicator on its body. Any of these conditions will cause your issue and require either replacement of the ECM assembly or replacement of the capacitors if you have soldering skills. Of course before doing this, remove the negative lead off your battery.
You could also just have a high pressure pump which bit the dust too which is why it pays to do some troubleshooting to confirm a part's failure instead of substitution which can be costly.You could gently tap on that HP pump and see if you get any activity from it. It should be in the frame rail.

 

Thankyou, I will check the ECM also. The high pressure pump is working however I have not checked the pressure yet. I will need to borrow or buy a gauge this weekend and check that. Thanks.

 

If your pump is running, no need to open up ECM. Try squirting some starting fluid in throttle body and see if the engine attempts to start. Spark is very easy to check too.

 

Hanky,
Finally had time to get a fuel gauge on the system. Pressure is "0". No pressure at all on the passenger side rail and no fuel out the test port at all. I havent pulled the filter yet. I will do that tomorrow and see if that changes anything. I would have thought I would get abit of fuel even if it was plugged. Both pumps do come on when you turn on the key for 2 seconds or so.

 

Raski

Pressure is "0". doesn't even move the gauge abit. I haven't pulled the filter yet and will do that tomorrow. I would have thought I would have some pressure but its absolutely none.

 

Are we sure there is fuel in the tank?
If you tap the bottom of the tank, do you get the sound of a hollow tank?
Fuel gauges have been wrong before.

When you remove the fuel filter, wear gloves because contact with today's gasoline is not good for us.
I would not remove the filter until you have a new one to replace it.
When you do get the filter off, tip it so whatever is inside it will drain out the way it went in.. Let us know what you find,thanks.