2003 4.6L f150 fuel problems

120

Asked by jilito Dec 26, 2016 at 05:23 PM about the 2003 Ford F-150 XLT Extended Cab SB

Question type: Maintenance & Repair

Hey, guys new to this site, having fuel problems with a 2003 F150, been a
good for Truck for 147,500 mile, until it stopped. Replace fuel pump, wrong!!
Problem, contacts on both fuel and pcm relay coils not closing to power
pump. Check inertia sw good, there is power to #30 on both relays when key is
turn on, and to inertia sw. When I spray engine start it starts but starves out of
gas. I took pcm out and cleaned pins, check cam shaft switch, battery good at
12.6 volts, check for grounded wires. I suspect its electrical, but want to make
sure its not the PCM, EEC, OR ICM. I guess the cheapest way from here is to
replace the relays since I just rotated them around. Any Ideas ???  thanks

7 Answers

73,310

The only way to properly check the three electronic systems you indicate is with a live data analyzer. You can turn the key to the on position and check for voltage at the fuel pump. if none, begin checking backward. If the inertia switch has power to it, then begin checking for wire damage back to the pump.

5 people found this helpful.
120

thanks I will do that today, one more question what feeds power to the relays, PCM? Battery or other computer components? 2003 Ford 150 4.6L

4 people found this helpful.
73,310

Have you checked the relay in the fuse box to make sure it is good. To long to explain here, but there are videos out there on u-tube which will show you how with a multi-meter. Normally, you will have to jump from the battery power to the # 1 pin and negative to the number 2 pin.. If you hear a click, then the relay making the connection. then you'll have to check the other pins to make sure the connection is good. Without a wiring diagram for your vehicle I am guessing, but I'd say power is supplied to the relay via the PCM once the key is switched to on.

1 people found this helpful.
120

Thanks, I just replace both relays already, I disconnected harness at fuel pump and check pink/black wire, lights stays on for a few seconds, so power is there., engine start spray works for a few seconds and dies. Next I need to check pressure on fuel rail. Don't have a Ford fitting for fuel pressure gage. Pump is new, we have bench test pump it and it worked. I hoping its not a computer so far. thanks, keep you informed to help others. I have watched U-Tube, videos, but when problem is not solve the computer is replace.I am making sure to check everything before buying a PCM.

2 people found this helpful.
73,310

If your fuel pump kicks on when the key is in the on position, then clicks off after a few seconds, it may be working correctly, as the pump does not stay on always without the vehicle starting. It is a lot less expensive to purchase the correct connection for the fuel rail valve and check there. You can disconnect the fuel line from the fuel rail and see if gas is coming through when the key is turned. Be careful, connect a hose to the fitting and place the other end in a container with a lid with a hole drilled to the proper size to accommodate the diameter of the hose, plus a little.

2 people found this helpful.
120

For any Ford 2003 f150 owners out there and you have to remove fuel tank, I just loosen bed and jack it up, but my truck is a an extended cap , couldn't get to fuel pump but it sure helped to remove some hoses and a connection on top of tank. Broke pressure sw on top of tank, it was so brittle cost me an extra $74 big ones to replace from Oreillys .There are six bolts, star type. I was afraid to strip heads so I used pipe wrench, crabbing bolts by the flat washer on head but it worked. I will put some lube on bolts and use electric impact wrench to re-install. This is what I did on pic.

2 people found this helpful.
120

GOT IT !!! I want to thank everyone for their input. This helped me to re-focus on my testing plus cost me approx $350 vs Dealership? These included tow, $104 new pump, broken pressure sw on gas tank $74, two new relays $26 and siphon hose $6.99. To be HONEST, don't know what was the culprit. This is what I did, replace two new relays PCM and Fuel Pump, cleaned PCM pins had small spider web & dust on bottom pins, new fuel pump and tested for voltage and voltage drop over & over again. At first no pressure from pump, I also notice on both relays the center pin # 87a had burnt residue, but both relays clicked when checked. After cleaning pins I started getting voltage to pins #87 and #86. After an exhausting testing decided to replace both relays and for sure the pump. I started to get the proper voltage at the inertia sw and down to the fuel pump. After completing installation I was nervous to turn key on, but started like a CHAMP!! Thanks again to everyone. Truck has been down since Dec 4th.

4 people found this helpful.

Your Answer:

F-150

Looking for a Used F-150 in your area?

CarGurus has 127,344 nationwide F-150 listings starting at $1,995.

ZIP:

Own this car?

Share your experience with others.

2003 Ford F-150

Review another car

CarGurus Experts

  • #1
    OJ
    Reputation
    41,830
  • #2
    Gene Arnett
    Reputation
    15,990
  • #3
    Rowefast
    Reputation
    15,470
View All

Know more, shop wisely

Search

Related Models For Sale

Used Chevrolet Silverado 1500
4,096 Great Deals out of 130,276 listings starting at $2,995
Used GMC Sierra 1500
1,878 Great Deals out of 64,496 listings starting at $3,400
Used Toyota Tundra
1,050 Great Deals out of 32,145 listings starting at $3,599
Used Ford F-250 Super Duty
1,434 Great Deals out of 41,335 listings starting at $3,995
Used Toyota Tacoma
1,865 Great Deals out of 30,367 listings starting at $3,500
Used Dodge RAM 1500
87 Great Deals out of 1,534 listings starting at $1,800
Used Ford Mustang
932 Great Deals out of 22,942 listings starting at $1,995
Used Ford Ranger
569 Great Deals out of 10,707 listings starting at $2,550
Used Chevrolet Silverado 2500HD
1,078 Great Deals out of 30,426 listings starting at $3,800
Used Jeep Wrangler
3,241 Great Deals out of 57,573 listings starting at $3,000
Used Toyota 4Runner
1,144 Great Deals out of 18,851 listings starting at $3,199
Used Ford Explorer
2,262 Great Deals out of 63,225 listings starting at $1,000
Used Chevrolet Colorado
859 Great Deals out of 22,145 listings starting at $2,950

Used Cars for Sale

2024 Ford F-150 For Sale
45,981 listings starting at $25,365
2023 Ford F-150 For Sale
604 Great Deals out of 26,689 listings starting at $27,800
2022 Ford F-150 For Sale
609 Great Deals out of 5,937 listings starting at $18,999
2021 Ford F-150 For Sale
894 Great Deals out of 9,230 listings starting at $18,990
2020 Ford F-150 For Sale
598 Great Deals out of 6,220 listings starting at $8,999

Content submitted by Users is not endorsed by CarGurus, does not express the opinions of CarGurus, and should not be considered reviewed, screened, or approved by CarGurus. Please refer to CarGurus Terms of Use. Content will be removed if CarGurus becomes aware that it violates our policies.