I sprayed my truck down with Advanced Auto brand engine degreaser. This is about the third time doing so since getting the truck a few weeks back. I spray it on and rinsed it off. I started the truck and it idled for about 10 minutes and shut down. It did not restart, so I let it sit for about an hour. Went back out and it still would not start. I fiddled with the fuel filter a tad and turned the screw at the bottom and pumped the lift pump a few times. The truck started and I let it idle for about an hour while I removed bumper stickers and pushed out a few dents. It was time for me to pick my son up from the park so I decided to drive the truck. I left the driveway and it pulled find but after about a mile, it bucked a few times and did not want to take much throttle. It progressively got worst on the drive to the park (5 miles). It shutdown once and I pulled into a driveway. It would not restart so I opened the hood and did the same sequence as before...fiddle with the bottom of the fuel filter and pumped the lift pump manually. It started and idle but did not want to take any throttle. Now it's starting to get dark so I had to at least get to my son (13) as it was only about a mile away. I got there and the truck would idle but not take any throttle. I disconnected the relays and reconnect them...now I have nothing. I have exterior lights but when I turn the key to the on position...nothing, no check engine, no oil light, nothing. If I turn the key to start...nothing. I was thinking it was the auto shut down relay that was causing the issue all along...Or perhaps a fusible link. I called my Dad to come pick us up as my other son (15) was at a friends house. I'll have to wait until tomorrow to look at it...but it will have me thinking most of the night as to what's wrong. I only hope that they don't tow my truck tonight...

Any ideas?

 

I'd check all my fuel lines and replace the fuel filter. Sounds like you are starving for fuel or sucking in some air.

 

Low voltage to the fuel selinoid. Check this and see mine accted similar last year after I washed the engine.

 

I would say fuel solenoid, or washing had nothing to do with it, and your supply pump just decided to shoot craps around the same time you decided to wash you engine. I don't suppose you are running a fuel pressure gauge?

 

Not running a fuel pressure gauge...but a have a fuel pressure tester for a gas engine (schrader-sp valve). What do I need to check with the fuel solenoid? Could it have come loose? I will going out in the next few to check the truck.

thanks
Allan

 

Often the wires on the full shutoff solenoid get loose. Its just a spade terminal on top. Take some pliers to tighten it up.

Sometimes these trucks will develope an air leak some where in the fuel lines between the tank and the lift pump. When this happens you get symptoms like you describe. Take a gallon can of fuel and some rubber hose. Take the line off the lift pump and run it into the can. If air in the lines is the problem once you have it running you can get home on the can and trouble shoot the lines later.

 

The problem was that the terminal to the fuel shutoff was loose. I still had no power to the starter nor the interior lights such as the check engine, oil, water in fuel, wait to start, or any of the normal dash lights when turning the key to on. I checked all the fuses and they were all fine. I got the truck home by hot wiring the shutoff valve and jumping the starter relay...it fired right up! I drove it home and now I'm starting to troubleshoot the switch problem. Last night...all I did was to pull the relays and put them back on. It seems as though something (a harness) got unplugged or a fuse...fusible link etc. But at least got it home!