After Fueling (?) 2000 Ex 7.3L won't start

[Damnedin82]

Low fuel light was on for about 20 miles. Yea, I know I'm an idiot, but I'm a broke idiot as well.

I made a few stops before fueling, and it started right up as usual. The first time I stopped it after fueling, was when the "fun" began.

Put in key, turn to start, all normal dash lights come on, theft light is blinking normally (slow), and nothing... Can hear some clicking from the drivers side, engine compartment, firewall fusebox, and a brief whirring (motor sound) from in front of the drivers side battery (is that where the fuel pump is?).

Electrical is okay as far as I can tell, but fuel pump is not doing it's normal ~30 second pre start pump.
Opened fuel filter can, and it was full. I then drained it

1. Disconnected the negative cables (hoping for a reboot), and cleaned them up, to no avail...

2.Tried the fuel shutoff switch on passenger side, to no avail...

3.Tried two different, newer sets of ignition keys, to no avail...


What is my next plan of attack?

Maybe the fuel pump fuse, or pump itself ??


Thanks for any help,

[bigcountrysg]

Did you run out of fuel before filling up. If so it may take some cranking to get it to fire back up. As you have to prime the injectors.


The fuel pump is located on the Driverside Frame Rail near the driverside front door. The whining noise could have been the fuel pump. There is a relay for the fuel pump I believe it is located in the fuze box under the hood on the driverside fender. There may also be a fuze in the cab of the truck in the fuze panel. Also there is a fuel pump reset button on the passenger side under the dash behind the kick panel.

[Damnedin82]

Didn't run it dry.

The motor is not cranking at all. Turn the key, and get nothing. Not even a solenoid chatter.

[alabamafrog]

If it were me I’d start by checking the batteries then the starter solenoid on the fender then the starter, the fuel system shouldn’t have anything to do with the cranking system. With a volt meter and a friend to turn the key you should be able to find it in a few minutes unless it is computer/theft related.

[bigcountrysg]

Originally Posted by Damnedin82

Didn't run it dry.

The motor is not cranking at all. Turn the key, and get nothing. Not even a solenoid chatter.

Ok I thought it was cranking but not firing.

[Damnedin82]

All the dash light stay on. The WTS light is also working. Tried moving the gear selector around, even while holding the ignition key in the on position, with no luck (I have an '89 F350 that does this occasionally). The vehicle is parked on a flat surface, wheels are straight.


Should I look under the steering column fuse box first, or the driver's side engine compartment for a bad fuse(s)?

Are there any fuse box "diagrams" online explaining the configuration, and what the fuses go to?

[rffpsvb]

you can try running a wire from the positive on the batt to the solenoid on the starter to rule out the starter or the electrical system, just be sure you dont arc on any grounds

[Damnedin82]

Originally Posted by alabamafrog

If it were me I’d start by checking the batteries then the starter solenoid on the fender then the starter, the fuel system shouldn’t have anything to do with the cranking system. With a volt meter and a friend to turn the key you should be able to find it in a few minutes unless it is computer/theft related.

I can start the Ex by jumping the large terminals on the fenderwall solenoid, so I bought a new Motorcraft solenoid, and installed it, but it still does the same " no start" thing??? I can also jump the terminals in the new one (Hecho en Mexico).

[alabamafrog]

If you can start it by jumping the large ones the next step would be to check and see if your getting both power and ground to the small ones before replacing anything. If no power and ground then trace back twords the computer and ignition switch and permissives.

[Damnedin82]

Which small "ones" are you referring to? The solenoid has two large bolt post terminals, and one smaller one, that has the rubber push-on wire connector.


Thanks