Fuel problems...only starts w\ starting fluid

I own a 1988 Ford E150 Club Wagon (5.8 litre engine V8). Today, I replaced the Steering Gearbox on the van. The van ran fine (except hard steering) before this. Upon completing the install, I went to start the van and nothing... the gasoline wasn't reaching the engine. With starting fluid, the van will start. But as soon as I push down on the gas pedal, it dies.

I tested the fuel pump. Although I hear the click when turning the key to the ON position, it would not push gasoline through when I directly connected it to the battery. So I went to Autozone and bought another fuel pump (and fuel filter). But still the same thing....

It will start as long as I have someone spraying starting fluid in while I turn the key. But when it dries, the van dies.

This is the 2nd vehicle that's done this to me. The other was a 1988 Ford Ranger XLT SuperCab (2.9 litre V6). Is this a common Ford problem? I was so loyal to Fords. I am beginning to think that is my problem.... Any suggestions would be appreciated!

Thanks.

since you know the pump is good (new), and you had some symptoms before, I would look at the wiring from the relay to the pump.

Three connectors, one under the master cylinder, one under the driver's seat on the inside of the frame rail, and one at the tank. ANY one of these will cause the pump to quit if either the power or ground wires are bad.

Thanks for the input. I'll look into that in a little while and get back with you.

OK... I went out and tried looking for the wiring from the relays to the pump. But I am not very good with electrical. I went and bought a tester and tried everything to test the relay at the fuel pump and there wasn't any volts going through. I ran the fuel pump directly to a toggle switch to the battery and it runs great. But the pressure builds up too much at the filter. Is that too much voltage to the pump? I want to fix it right though but I can't find any wiring diagrams for the relays.

The fuel pressure is regulated at the engine, the pressure at the filter will be exactly the same as at the injector tip (if the filter is in good condition). Don't worry about that, it is supposed to be like 40-45 PSI.

Thank you for all your help. Eventually I plan to get whatever wires fixed on the van. But I feel better knowing that this toggle switch being hooked up to the fuel pump shouldn't hurt it until I can arrange to have it done. It really helps having someone online to turn to for things like this. Thanks again.

check the green relay under the hood that is your fuel pump relay. Go bad alot.

Check for a fuel pump reset button somewhere on vehicle, many fords have these, should be info in owner's manual. Also some have a crash switch under right side of dash to kill power to pump in crash, some have weak spring, and shut off without crash, need to replace switch in that case. good luck, Huey

check the green relay under the hood that is your fuel pump relay. Go bad alot.
I checked in my haynes book for the wiring for the green relay yellow in brown out to the pump! so if I want to make a test for the pump i may jump those 2 wires and toggle the switch to see if the pump working?