1988 Ford Econoline - Answered Questions & Fixed issues

It has to have 2 batteries because it is a diesel engine. Diesels use compression to fire the combustion mixture instead of a spark plug as a gasoline engine does. It has glow plugs that heat the mixture up before starting to help promote this and it has probably twice the compression ratio,therefore it takes alot of amps to start it and that is why you have 2 batteries. No it still only has one solenoid for the starter but it has to use a gear reduction starter instead of a conventional one.

in the fuel tank

you need to open up the throttle body and clean out the jets. if been stud for awhile you get a fuel build up as it evaporates, turns into like a dust this blocks the jets. as it gets sticky from new fuel. every time you drop the fuel pressure you are making it sick back down. then driving you are pulling it back up.

Possibly just a burnt out fuse, but could be the yransition switch between tanks not connecting properly. Check it all out.

There are screws in the top and bottom of the bezel. You take those out and ease the bezel off the steering column. Then the cluster has screws in the top and bottom holding it in the dash. Once those are loose, be careful pulling the cluster out. If you have an auto, you need to disconnect the shift indicator cable. It's a piece of fishing line looking wire in a plastic tube. It wraps under the column and around to a retaining stud. Ease it off and lift the cluster out

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Do a Fuel Pressure test.

econoline

They should not glow orange, possible obstruction, most likely a bad catalytic converter.

The dipstick tube should have an o-ring near the bottom where it goes into the transmission case. Once you remove the bolt holding the bracket for the tube you should be able to pull the tube up and out. You should then have access to the o-ring.

This should do it.

Do you have battery voltage at the starter solenoid ? Where does the electric power end ? And are the battery posts clean and tight ?

Several auto parts stores will run free tests on your car for bad diodes in the Alternator. A bad Diode will keep the electric on even when you turn off the Ignition key. Some other areas are the Relays to the different systems in your car. To find these problems you would have to test many of the systems with an Ohmmeter or Voltmeter. In simple terms, a bad relay can keep a wire connected when it should be off. The fastest way to find this problem is using a Dealership interface. They used to be called Odyssey machines. This machine connects between wiring looms and tells a mechanic which wires are active. Any other way will take a great deal of time.

check compression

From the switch on the transmission, the wire should go straight to the bulbs. If you jump a wire from the switch to the lights, and they don't work, check the ground for those lights.

Usually a sign the heater core is leaking. You have to disassemble the heater box to access.

I have a copy of a stock fuse box from my oners man

check and make sure all batterys are good make sure alt. out put is 12.9 to 14 volts make sure charging cable from front to generator battery is working if it has a seperate charging system for generator battery or batterys,check and make sure charger is working properly if not replace charger or run no. 8 wire from front charging system to gen. battery make sure main engine is running while you start gen. after gen starts turn engine off

Check fan motor. If you have voltage when in the on position"replace the motor.with key on check at fan plug. Remove fan and check to see if something has caused it to stick.re: coins,pencils,rodent nest,for real.

You would turn the headlight switch to the left or they should come on when you open a door.