1988 Econoline E-250 Did run, did something, now won't start!

Here's the scoop! The van did start but it didn't idle smoothly and it would eventually die. I could restart and idle the engine by applying a little acceleration but after changing the PVC valve, Throttle Position Sensor and cleaning the carbon out of the Throttle Valve Assembly (TVA), it won't start. Did check spark plug and fuel pump, they're ok. Noticed gas leaking from PCV valve, replaced with old to stop leak.
With the battery connected to a good car, the engine will cycle but won't turn over. Sometimes the engine will go into a high pitch winding noise as if it's about to turn over but it just doesn't quite get there. I have used some starting fluid but nothing. I fear that I may have plugged the fuel injectors when I cleaned the TVA. Other info; 6 cyl 300 Y 4.9L FI
Any help will be appreciated. Thank you, Leo

Here's the scoop! The van did start but it didn't idle smoothly and it would eventually die. I could restart and idle the engine by applying a little acceleration but after changing the PVC valve, Throttle Position Sensor and cleaning the carbon out of the Throttle Valve Assembly (TVA), it won't start. Did check spark plug and fuel pump, they're ok. Noticed gas leaking from PCV valve, replaced with old to stop leak.
With the battery connected to a good car, the engine will cycle but won't turn over. Sometimes the engine will go into a high pitch winding noise as if it's about to turn over but it just doesn't quite get there. I have used some starting fluid but nothing. I fear that I may have plugged the fuel injectors when I cleaned the TVA. Other info; 6 cyl 300 Y 4.9L FI
Any help will be appreciated. Thank you, Leo

I'm now looking at the fuel injector pressure regulator. I need todo some testing first.

Leo

There should be a pressure release valve under the doghouse. It's located on the fuel injection lines on the passenger side. You might be able to check the pressure there. It's worth a try anyhow!

hopefully you checked spark and fuel filter,may be ignition module. I have the same problem right now. I can get the engine to stumble with a little work to gas pedal, fuel is grey and only reason I can think is the float inside the gas tank. Your problem sounds about the same keep me posted..

Thanks for the advice everyone. I've got the van to start up again, it helps to have dry new spark plugs. The old plugs ends were black and wet and this kept the van from restarting. So basically, I'm back to square one where the van does not idle without the help of the foot pedal.........let go and the engine dies. So now, it's worse! The engine would die a slow death by idling for several minutes before stalling out. I have replaced the egr valve with an 1987 model. Can anyone tell me if this was a good move in the right direction? Did I mention that I went and bought a $27 scanner from Autozone? Later, I learned that I didn't need to do that! :banghead: Checking the distributor, the plug wires are in firing sequence but they appear to be one off clockwise, does this matter? Any other suggestions? By the way, the diagnotics on the dash says the test passed, there are no more codes. Before, I was receiving a 53 and 33 but the replacement of the egr valve has eliminated those.

Leo

[quote=corvette73] I can give you advice on how to check spark,, or how to check fuel pressure .. Distributer/Stem also.. hopefully you dont have a Variable Venturi Carb, Probably not on an 88 ,, you also may have 2 fuel pumps and filter ,, My problem ended being unrelated, trust me. I own all ford vans for my business ,, I've seen all the problems let me know if you need some help,,,,

Corvette73
Thank you, I welcome the help. Here’s an update. The problem I’m having now is, when I release the gas pedal, the engine instantly dies. It’s like something is snuffing out the engine. I decided to remove the ISC bypass valve on the throttle body and started the engine without it and it went into a high idle. I also learned that by covering one of the two holes where the bypass valve was sitting with my finger, I was able to bring down the idle. This told me that the bypass valve was not working right, noticed a lot of carbon build up so I clean it out. I have a Haynes repair manual and have recently read that the egr valve, the oxygen sensor need replaced and this ISC bypass needs cleaning every 60,000 miles. After replacing the bypass valve back on the throttle body, started the engine, the engine went into a somewhat rough idle and stayed idling for several minutes until it died again. Restarted and second time, the idle became smoother and lasted much longer but eventually died again. It seemed the the EEC computer was making some adjustments and the idle was improving. The 3rd time around, the engine idled at a little higher pace and for several minutes but then it got rough again and then died. I tried restarting the engine a couple of times and it would not start up again so I called it a night. I didn’t want to get the spark plugs wet again, I’ll try again tomorrow. I’m thinking about changing the OS soon. May look into the vacuum system to see if there’s a problem there. Any help would be appreciated. And I do believe I have two fuel pumps.

Leo

Leo,

just a guess, it's possible to have only 1 FP working, which would reduce your fuel pressure, also there may be a FP cutoff, which would need to be reset,I think my 351 has one. In your case maybe one pump needs to be reset.

Leo,

just a guess, it's possible to have only 1 FP working, which would reduce your fuel pressure, also there may be a FP cutoff, which would need to be reset,I think my 351 has one. In your case maybe one pump needs to be reset.

Hi I haven't given up..........even after 6 months. I've searched hi and low, for the life of me, I can't find that reset. I believe it's somewhere in the wall behind my seat but I can't find it nor the wires that should lead to it. It's been so long, I've almost forgot what I had been searching for. The van had filled up with pop cans but have since been removed. So I'll look again and get back soon.

Leo

Hi I haven't given up..........even after 6 months. I've searched hi and low, for the life of me, I can't find that reset. I believe it's somewhere in the wall behind my seat but I can't find it nor the wires that should lead to it. It's been so long, I've almost forgot what I had been searching for. The van had filled up with pop cans but have since been removed. So I'll look again and get back soon.

Leo

Leo,

My 351 is in shop right now,over $700 to replace $400 fuel pump. Reset on mine is (I just found out) passenger side/rt side where your feet would be, there is a finger hole about 18" up from floor.:banghead: