Ford van won't start

My son's 1995 Ford E-150 with a 5.0 won't start. If it sits overnight it will start the next day but dies after about thirty seconds and will not start again. I changed out the fuel filter as an easy attempt and that wasn't it. I've checked for spark and fire is reaching the plugs. I though maybe it was the ignition control module but not now since I have spark. The fuel pump relay is good so I'm thinking fuel pump but want to make sure there is not something else that might be stopping fuel from making it to the injectors. Any ideas?

You need gas, air and spark. Which do you not have?

Look through the air intake for a mouse nest or Zombie parts stuffed in there. No?

Check for spark. Pull a plug wire and put a plug in it, rest the threaded part on something metal to ground it, then turn it over. Got spark?

Look for gas. Easier to do with a carb, do you hear a little buzzing noise when you first turn the key? If the system has been running and it's all pressured up you may not get it so crack a line somethere to relieve pressre. Listen. Got buzz?

Cool, get a beer.

You can disconnect a fuel line and crank it over, gas will shoot out like a fire hose so don't aim it at the space heater.

Dan

Assuming you've done all of the above^^^

After it refuses to start after the 30 seconds:

Does it start with jumper cables?

Could there be a parasitic draw flattening the battery overnight?

Since it starts but won't restart, could the engine be flooding? After running for a bit it floods and dies. Sitting overnight lets gas evap and then it goes again.

Checked the feed to the fuel rail and there is no pressure. I'm going to check for power to the pump and if there is power I'm going to replace the pump. Not really what I wanted to do but I need it running. FYI, I already check the impact fuel cut off reset and it's fine.

Good information above but they neglected to ask an important diagnostic question; does your son have a mustache? If no then have him grow one immediately, too many van owners overlook this critical component of happy van existence.

ansonivan wrote: Good information above but they neglected to ask an important diagnostic question; does your son have a mustache? If no then have him grow one immediately, too many van owners overlook this critical component of happy van existence.

Well, Shoot. I'll have to go tell my mom to get to growin'

Try cleaning out the throttle body and intake, these vans tend to build up a significant amount of crud in this region. To clean it pull it apart and spray with brake cleaner and wipe down thoroughly.

Check to see if the fuel pump runs for a second or so when you turn the key on. There is a small rubber line near the pump in the tank that tends to split and it leaks with the smallest pressure. Could be the pressure regulator on the end of the fuel rail not letting any pressure build also. Rule one. Check the cheap stuff first!

Bruce

egnorant wrote: Check to see if the fuel pump runs for a second or so when you turn the key on. There is a small rubber line near the pump in the tank that tends to split and it leaks with the smallest pressure. Could be the pressure regulator on the end of the fuel rail not letting any pressure build also. Rule one. Check the cheap stuff first! Bruce

Good info. Thanks.

Ended up being the fuel pump. Drop the tank install a new pump and it's back running.