I never had a starting problem until one day the nightmare began . It would crank well but would not ignite. Somedays it would start. Once started , if I didn't pay attention , the RPM's would steadily drop and die out and would not restart. If I paid attention and kept the rpm's up by pressing the accelerator I would be fine and would not have a problem starting all day. The next day would be iffy all over again. Somedays I would be successful some not. It has been sitting for several days now and I can't get it started. Over this period I checked and replaced several items: (1) ignition -replaced distributor cap , rotor , wires and plugs - good spark from all wires and coil. (2) fuel delivery- checked fuel filter 30psi to filter and 39psi after filter. I replaced it anyhow. I pulled hose off fuel pressure regulator and no fuel dripped out. Yesterday after trying to start the truck i pressed on the accelerator then put it to the floor to drain off fuel-it seemed to want to ignite. I took out the plugs and they had fuel on them. Is my problem due to ignition system or a fuel delivery or something else ? Is the psi's quoted sufficient ? If I get gas on my plugs does this eliminate fuel pump problems ? Can this be a mass air flow problem or a fuel relay?
I need help ! Thanks Dave P

 

Could be a MAF problem or it could just be a ECM problem, if you discover it is your ECM try AvPro ECM to have it repaired.

 

Bout 5-7 days ago I put in a new oxygen sensor- has started ever since with no problems.
Noticed almost no exhaust smoke, engine idles more smoothly.I'm happy I didn't have to pop for
a MAF sensor ( $ 299 ) or the labor for a new fuel pump - Now for the new pitman arm and I hope that's all.

 

I don't understand how an O2 sensor would make such a big difference. Once when mine was idling, I unplugged the sensor just to see what would happen. Didn't change the idle one bit!!

 

Mxer201 You were right- OS2 seemed to work....for awhile... or I imagined the engine idled more evenly and there was no visible exhaust. Soon after the revs did fluctuate wildly. I think I'll have to take bigboss2010 advice and check out the ECM. I've read that the capacitors have a tendency to leak over a period of time and I now recall a faint odd odor before all these problems. Since this is an older vehicle these items would have needed replacing sooner than later. Now if only I didn't hastily pull the gas tank to replace the pump......damn

 

If you go the ecm route check this guy. He repaired mine in 04. So far no problems. Good luck.

http://www.avproecm.com/