What causes fuel interruption, idling or running, and sometimes won't start after it dies?
Asked by gdavid1953 Jul 13, 2015 at 01:13 PM about the 2001 Ford F-150 XLT Crew Cab 4WD SB
Question type: Maintenance & Repair
2001 F150, had fuel pump replaced 6 months ago, after it warms up it begins to surge and
sometimes dies, when it does it won't start unless I use ether and it will suddenly die
while driving. Sometimes it restarts but most of the time I have to use ether.
10 Answers
firebird338 answered 9 years ago
Did you also replace fuel filter ? Add fuel injector cleaner to gas tank and check air filter. Clean throttle with throttle body spray cleaner.
gdavid1953 answered 9 years ago
The shop that did the repairs did change the fuel filter. I had ran fuel injector cleaner prior to taking it in and actually had replaced the fuel filter too. The symptoms are similar to what I had read about a fuel pump drive module, but the 2001 F150 doesn't have one other than what comes with the pump (to my understanding).
firebird338 answered 9 years ago
What about the ignition control module ford had a big problem with them one year it would get hot shut the engine off until it cooled off.
gdavid1953 answered 9 years ago
The problem is intermittent and I have been able to restart the motor by using starting fluid sprayed directly into the air cleaner. So it seems to be a fuel flow problem.
firebird338 answered 9 years ago
Does that year have a carb or throttle body ?
firebird338 answered 9 years ago
Yes it does. Ok since you have injectors do what I suggested in my very first answer. Sounds like you have some dirty injectors. Once you have done that take the vehicle out on the road and hit the passing gear a few times that will help clean out the injectors and get rid of any gum and carbon build up.
gdavid1953 answered 9 years ago
Well, certainly can't hurt, but wouldn't there be some sputtering and isolated missing prior to the engine failure? And wouldn't the restart have some firing on some cylinders? When the motor dies, it's as if the ignition switch was turned off. On the restart there is no firing of any spark plugs until starting fluid is sprayed in the air intake.
firebird338 answered 9 years ago
There is firing of the plugs just no fuel to ignite that is why it starts when you spray starting fluid in intake. That why I think it's dirty injectors.
gdavid1953 answered 9 years ago
Well, definitely there's interruption of fuel flow, but don't think all injectors would fail at the same time. And dirty injectors would stay dirty and that doesn't fit with the pattern of running fine till it warms up and then erratic idling and/or suddenly dying; and then no firing while turning the motor over.
