E150 not starting

THMPERR

MEMBER
1987 FORD E-SERIES VAN
V8
2WD
AUTOMATIC
133 MILES

I have a 1987 Ford Econoline E150 conversion van that won't start. I have only had it a couple of weeks but it was scrupulously maintained by the previous owner. It has stalled a couple of times since I purchased it but it has always started up right away and runs fine.

The starter cranks the engine fine it just won't fire.

My thoughts were ignition module, fuel pump or possibly timing. But the stalling occurs during steady engine speed, not when accelerating or or changing gears like it would if it were a timing issue or weak fuel pump and I have tried starting fluid and this has not helped at all so I don't beleive it is a fuel or timing problem.

This leads me to beleive that it is the ignition module. Any suggestions?

1 Reply

CJ MEDEVAC

MECHANIC
11,004 POSTS

Thats where I would go next!--Snatch it off of there, have it tested at Autozone or at Advance Auto for Free! Not positive, I think yours is on the side of the distributor. Have it tested over and over, 5-8 times, if it fails the last few times REPLACE IT!--Before you walk out the door with the new one--TEST IT THE SAME WAY TOO! PLEASE DO NOT ASK WHY--THAT WAS A BAD CHAPTER, THAT STILL PIZZES ME OFF. Get the little "Condiment Packet" of Heat stuff to smear on the back of it, this dissipates heat, onto the distributor housing, and will make it last! I keep a fuel pump/ coil and an ignition module in my Jeep, along with tools. Those 3 items are really the pesky things that have left me a-sittin' on the side of the road! Since I keep 'em on board now, I have not needed them. However, a Ford guy needed the module, and a Jeep guy needed the fuel pump---I came out really good, me diagnosing and repairing on the road side! I have a little more testing, should this not work. Let me know what's-a-happenin'---The Medic