# 1997 F04d F150 Fuel Pump Problem

**URL:** <https://community.cartalk.com/t/1997-f04d-f150-fuel-pump-problem/34774>\
**Category:** Maintenance/Repairs\
**Tags:** ford, f150\
**Created:** [August 9, 2009, 6:31pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/1997-f04d-f150-fuel-pump-problem/34774 "2009-08-09T18:31:51Z")\
**Posts on this page:** 4\
**Page:** 1

<div class="post-metadata">

**Author:** ![ronranson](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/a587f6/32.png) [@ronranson](https://community.cartalk.com/u/ronranson)\
**Post date:** [August 9, 2009, 6:31pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/1997-f04d-f150-fuel-pump-problem/34774/1 "2009-08-09T18:31:51Z")

</div>

I have a 1997 Ford F150 with 34K actual miles. Without any prior indication, on warm days after being driven, the truck will not start. My mechanic had the vehicle for a week and was not able to duplicate the problem. His SWAG was I needed to replace the fuel pump. Before I go to the cost of replacement, are there other problems, tests, etc., I should consider?

---

<div class="post-metadata">

**Author:** ![mcparadise](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/cartalk/user_avatar/community.cartalk.com/mcparadise/32/32_2.png) [@mcparadise](https://community.cartalk.com/u/mcparadise)\
**Post date:** [August 9, 2009, 7:04pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/1997-f04d-f150-fuel-pump-problem/34774/2 "2009-08-09T19:04:03Z")

</div>

Did he determine the fuel pressure was too low? What’s the basis of his diagnosis?

---

<div class="post-metadata">

**Author:** ![waterboy](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/cartalk/user_avatar/community.cartalk.com/waterboy/32/764_2.png) [@waterboy](https://community.cartalk.com/u/waterboy)\
**Post date:** [August 9, 2009, 8:42pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/1997-f04d-f150-fuel-pump-problem/34774/3 "2009-08-09T20:42:05Z")

</div>

Really! Until you can simulate the failure and get a proper diagnosis you cannot confirm the cause. Try stopping at the dealer every time you are out, and if it is a no start in their parking lot have them analyze it. It is a really good guess, but only a guess.

---

<div class="post-metadata">

**Author:** ![hellokit](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/h/6a8cbe/32.png) [@hellokit](https://community.cartalk.com/u/hellokit)\
**Post date:** [August 9, 2009, 9:08pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/1997-f04d-f150-fuel-pump-problem/34774/4 "2009-08-09T21:08:09Z")

</div>

You would replace the fuel pump if the fuel pressure were too low, or erratic. Is it? Until the fuel pressure, fuel injection, spark, etc. are checked, guesses are just a crap shoot. Do you want to play craps with expensive parts?  
When the engine doesn’t start, do a flooded-engine-start: hold the gas pedal to the floor all the while the engine is cranking (up to 15 seconds at a time). If / when the engine starts, ease up on the gas.