Classic lack of gas problem

Topic: Classic lack of gas problem (Read 756 times) previous topic - next topic

Classic lack of gas problem

November 06, 2009, 08:10:36 PM

I'm sure it's been covered here before, as common a problem I've heard it is with Fox cars, but.......

My 87 5.0 'Bird doesn't seem to be getting any fuel to the engine. It cranks, but no fire.

Had this same prob with an 85 Fox LTD II, and heard all the talk about the hidden re-set switch in the trunk (never found one) and the same for the 'Bird (haven't looked yet) But since 99% of the answers to car problems I face turn out not to be the easiest or most obvious, I figure I'll ask now where else to look and what upgrades it might pay to make if I'm going to be getting into the fuel system anyway, to keep it from happening again in the future.

This is the reason the previous owner parked the car and and abandon it at only 50,000 miles....a older fella who was used to fixing his own cars, but was used to old carbed motors, got frusterated over what's probably a simple fuel injection/pump/relay fix, and parked it in his carport for 14 years. So if I can get it fixed and running, it'll be a big plus in the car's comeback, and a big head start for me to begin with a low-milage car and drivetrain. unfortunately, I'm an old carb guy myself, and this being my first EFI 5.0, I figured I ask those with experience, so I don't waste alot of time looking in the wrong places and trial-by-error repairs.

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Classic lack of gas problem

Reply #1 – November 06, 2009, 08:40:42 PM

thats a lot of words just to say "my car doesnt get fuel, can you tell me where to start looking?"

when you do get around to looking for the inertia switch try looking on the right side of the trunk behind the fuzzy plastic . its in other places but thats where i always see them.

you can pull codes and see if thats really your problem, you can search for that theres plenty of threads describing the process.

Classic lack of gas problem

Reply #2 – November 06, 2009, 10:34:06 PM

If it sat 14 years, you can just about bet the tank and fuel pump are now gummed up, which may not have been the original problem...

Classic lack of gas problem

Reply #3 – November 07, 2009, 01:07:01 AM

Yeah, the tank's coming out, although it was stored dry, I put gas in it two years ago when I first got it.

Either way, the tank's going to get cleaned, the pump replaced.

Classic lack of gas problem

Reply #4 – November 07, 2009, 01:27:23 AM

When you put the ignition in RUN without cranking, you should hear the fuel pump run for one or two seconds.
If this happens your fuel problem is not electrical. Check for fuel pressure at the fuel rail.