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1989 Ford Lariat pick-up 7.5


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maureen
Novice

Mar 30, 2008, 1:48 PM

Post #1 of 9 (3339 views)
1989 Ford Lariat pick-up 7.5 Sign In

My 89' Ford pick-up started pulled away and died. I cannot get it started. It cranks but won't start. Before this on a cold start it would start up on the first try. But after that I would have to turn the key but not try to start it then tun it again to start. That was the directions from the old owner. So when I didn't do this it wouldn't start. Also the check engine light has been on for almost a year. Other than that it always ran beautiful. I hope you guys can help me because I can't afford another truck. Fuel filter was changed today.


Tom Greenleaf
Ultimate Carjunky / Moderator
Tom Greenleaf profile image

Mar 30, 2008, 4:03 PM

Post #2 of 9 (3325 views)
Re: 1989 Ford Lariat pick-up 7.5 Sign In

?? Can you hear fuel pump pre-charge up - buzzing sound at tank? If not, try checking the relay for the fuel pump. Just looked - it said it was under hood in fuse block on the trucks,

T



Guest
Anonymous Poster

Mar 30, 2008, 4:35 PM

Post #3 of 9 (3324 views)
Re: 1989 Ford Lariat pick-up 7.5 Sign In

1st you need to see if its a spark or fuel problem.
If it's fuel Tom had some good suggestions, I would also check the inertia switch, those are good for getting tripped.

Spark & it could be a module prob...those were good for that or a host of other things.....


maureen
Novice

Apr 1, 2008, 10:17 AM

Post #4 of 9 (3312 views)
Re: 1989 Ford Lariat pick-up 7.5 Sign In

Its not a fuel problem. There is no spark. Module was changed in the distrebutor cost $65 plus NBC tool3 cost $5. Any more suggestions.


Tom Greenleaf
Ultimate Carjunky / Moderator
Tom Greenleaf profile image

Apr 1, 2008, 10:53 AM

Post #5 of 9 (3309 views)
Re: 1989 Ford Lariat pick-up 7.5 Sign In

Again - do you hear the fuel pump buzz and quit? If it just stays buzzing there isn't enough pressure with key in "run" position only - sounds like you've done that from suggestion from prior owner. That's a fuel problem you've had all along and you just changed the fuel filter and now this - could there be a connection in the sequence of events? You tell me.

Spark: How tested? If you take dist cap off does rotor turn? Just asking - it's possible to fail but cranking would sound real funny.

Does coil have voltage when key is in "run" position? Simple test light. I'm not sure but I think the neg wire will blink while cranking - test both - never had a real failure with those.

There's a pick up coil inside dist that in millions of miles of this vintage vehicle has never been the problem but it's a popular part # or used to be. Let's not get hasty as those can be hard to replace without some tools to dismantle distributor.

Try the starting fluid trick, recheck spark. Go easy on trying too hard cranking or a flooded out engine will come into the possible list messing up diag for this,

T



maureen
Novice

Apr 4, 2008, 8:57 AM

Post #6 of 9 (3299 views)
Re: 1989 Ford Lariat pick-up 7.5 Sign In

You'll have to exuse me. I replied on the wrong place. I'm not that computer literate yet. So my apoligies. I had a rebuilt distriburor put in for $260.00. He also change a belt and hose. I'm just glad it's running. However it's running slightly rough. Any suggestions?


Tom Greenleaf
Ultimate Carjunky / Moderator
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Apr 4, 2008, 11:26 AM

Post #7 of 9 (3297 views)
Re: 1989 Ford Lariat pick-up 7.5 Sign In

Ok: Now you are in two spots which gets confusing for us too. I think I saw your current complaint and the suggestion was to check on common tune-up items re: Plugs, wires etc.,

T



maureen
Novice

Apr 4, 2008, 4:27 PM

Post #8 of 9 (3288 views)
Re: 1989 Ford Lariat pick-up 7.5 Sign In

Plugs and wires were done not quite a year ago. How often should you give a complete tune-up? Oil is checked every day before I go to work and changed every 3,000 miles. Can you give me the acurate schedule? My husband use to take care of this but he passed away. Mechanics like to take you for a ride. Well maybe not all of them. I'm a landscaper and really can't afford a new truck now. Tell me what I can do to keep this truck in good shape for as long as I can. I's greatly appriciate it.


Tom Greenleaf
Ultimate Carjunky / Moderator
Tom Greenleaf profile image

Apr 4, 2008, 5:43 PM

Post #9 of 9 (3284 views)
Re: 1989 Ford Lariat pick-up 7.5 Sign In

First - Sorry about the loss of your husband. know that not all mechanics are out to take you for a ride! You'll always need one so get to know one or a place. Oil changes at 3,000 is about right.

Ok: This just up and died and a new distributor has it going again and it's had a check engine light on for a long time but ran well - is that right? Is the "running rough" new now?

If so it might have fouled up a plug in this interim. Spark plugs should last longer than a year but this is getting old and they might not stay well as long as when newer and less miles - how many on this BTW?

This is the old 460 cubic inch engine I think - not too many of those but they were an awesome engine for long life. Only knew of one 460 in the trucks from my own experience - Long ago now but one spark plug was near impossible to replace - not DIY friendly.

Schedules: Oil change. 3K, check all fluids monthly or more if any found low. Keep tire pressure to proper allowed max checked monthly. There's not much to tune up on these except spark plugs, fuel filter, air filter. Wires should last a long time but whoever did distributor job should have taken note of the dist cap and rotor which are easy on this. Fuel today scares me so I'm doing fuel filters more often than ever before so I'll say every year or so for this truck.

Back to the rough running: Go ahead and get a code reading - free at major parts places like AutoZone. An 89 won't tell as much as newer vehicle's readings but get it anyway. I'm sure you are used to horrendous gas mileage but know that running rough might be costing you dearly. You may not check but if you use this job to job with landscaping then you probably are used to 5-8 MPG - right? You might not notice that running rough drops that to 4-6 and that's a lot extra!

Tell us how many miles a day or week it gets used will help. Are you up to doing your own work on this? You'll still need a shop now and then so do get to know one,

T







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