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1989 Ford E-Series Van Stops running after 5 miles!

Tiny
OAXACAKATE
  • MEMBER
  • 1989 FORD E-SERIES VAN
  • 5.8L
  • V8
  • 2WD
  • AUTOMATIC
  • 59,000 MILES
Have just purchased a 1989 ford e250 conversion van. It has apparently been sitting for several years. The mileage is 59,000. It stops running after 5 miles. I have had it towed 4 times in the past 2 weeks. Each time, it only ran for 5 miles. It would barely start but if left for an hour it would start again. They have replaced the computer, the distributor, the starter, the ignition, the battery, the fuel pump and filter, the ground wire, the battery cables, blew out the fuel lines and here I am stuck again. Can't run the codes as the diagnostic connector is bad. Any ideas please?
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Sunday, May 17th, 2015 AT 12:02 PM

12 Replies

Tiny
DOCFIXIT
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Pt debris in fuel tank clogging pickup then as it sits debris fall away only to be picked up again when restarted
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Sunday, May 17th, 2015 AT 12:24 PM
Tiny
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Thanks for the speedy reply. It is a camper conversion van with dual gas tanks. I have been told the switch to the back gas tank does not work. If there is debris in the front fuel tank, what do I need to do please? Running out of patience and money!
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Sunday, May 17th, 2015 AT 12:52 PM
Tiny
DOCFIXIT
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Mean it stalls on back or front tank? Fix is to remove tank cleanout if rust is the issue tank may need replacement. Assume old fuel drained and new put in tank
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Sunday, May 17th, 2015 AT 1:55 PM
Tiny
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New fuel - and we are running off the front tank only with a new fuel pump and new fuel filter. What is strange is that after it has been driven 5 miles, the vehicle refuses to crank is has cooled down.- No juice.

Are you available by telephone tomorrow. A Paypal fee would be most acceptable as we are really stuck. We are supposed to be on a camping vacation and here we have been in an Industrial Complex parking lot for 2 weeks!
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Sunday, May 17th, 2015 AT 2:17 PM
Tiny
CJ MEDEVAC
  • MECHANIC
  • 11,005 POSTS
DIFFERENT GUY SLINGING IN SOME INFO

YOU MIGHT HAVE TO COPY AND PASTE THIS LINK ONTO A NEW TAB

http://www.icheckengine.com/2012/05/ford-obd1-codes.html

IT MAY TAKE SOME PRACTICE AND EVEN ANOTHER BRAIN THERE WITH YOU TO TRANSLATE THE BLINKS OR BEEPS INTO THE ACTUAL CODE NUMBERS, I ALWAYS HAD AN ISSUE WITH THE "SPACING" AS TO WAS THAT THE END OF THAT NUMBER OR THE BEGINNING OF ANOTHER. SOMETIMES THERE ARE LIKE VERIFICATION NUMBERS (WHICH DO NOT COUNT AS A CODE NUMBER)

IF THIS WORKED AS INTENDED IT WILL SHOW YOU HOW TO RETRIEVE THE "OBD1" CODES WITHOUT A SCANNER- IT ALSO WILL GIVE YOU THE DEFINITIONS TO THE CODES

SEE-UNS HOW I'M STILL LIVING IN THE GOOD OLE CARBURETOR DAYS, IF YOU WILL RETURN HERE WITH THE "CODE NUMBERS" (NOT THE MEANINGS)

Docfixit WILL SURELY GUIDE YOU IN HOW TO APPROACH THE CORRECT FIX, WITHOUT THROWIN' IN A BUNCH OF UNNECESSARY PARTS AT IT

GOOD LUCK

I'LL BE ABLE TO WATCH PROGRESS (I WILL GET EMAILS FOR THIS POST NOW)

GET 'ER DONE!

THE MEDIC

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Sunday, May 17th, 2015 AT 7:19 PM
Tiny
DOCFIXIT
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Need to clear up a few things
1. Engine stalls/dies after @5 min of running?
2. Quits abruptly of slows to a halt as if running out of fuel?
3. No crank starter does not engage/operate, dose a jump get it cranking?
4. Carbureted engine have you kitted it? Fuel debris likely gotten into carb
5. Engine overheating?
Any info helpful
Have tried to code per CJ Medic
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-1
Monday, May 18th, 2015 AT 7:42 AM
Tiny
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Thanks for continuing to help. The vehicle runs 5 miles, then stalls and won't restart. If left to cool the van starts OK. Borrowed an OBD1 this morning and there were no codes present. The vehicle does not overheat. Today we are going to try replacing the front fuel tank - if we can find one. So far, no luck. Any suggestions on this?
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Monday, May 18th, 2015 AT 8:08 AM
Tiny
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Please answer all questions
When you say won't restart does starter engage? Engine spins over but won't start
Have you checked for spark when this happens? Tried spraying carb cleaner into carb see if it fires?
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Monday, May 18th, 2015 AT 9:03 AM
Tiny
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The engine spins over but won't start. After a few tries, the engine doesn't spin over any more. If left for a while, the engine will start again but the van will not stay running. The spark is ok. There is no carburetor. Thanks for continuing to think about this.
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Monday, May 18th, 2015 AT 9:25 AM
Tiny
DOCFIXIT
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Next time it stalls out pull air snorkel off throttle body spray some Carb cleaner crank see if it fires. This will tell if problem is fuel related. Do you have a fuel pressure tester?
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Monday, May 18th, 2015 AT 11:18 AM
Tiny
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Ok, I'll give it a try. I do not have a fuel pressure tester. This all sounds like it is coming down to a fuel issue. Will let you know what happens tomorrow after they replace the fuel tank! Thanks again
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Monday, May 18th, 2015 AT 12:25 PM
Tiny
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Assume found a tank then? When installed add a bottle of SeaFoam fuel system cleaner to tank
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Monday, May 18th, 2015 AT 2:30 PM

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