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inertia switch

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Old 07-04-2008, 11:21 PM
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Default inertia switch

cant find it on my1983 f150

any help is appreciated
Old 07-04-2008, 11:34 PM
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Carbureted engines with mechanical fuel pumps should not have an inertia switch.

The switch's function is to kill the electric fuel pumps in the event of a collision - so that fuel doesn't continue to be pumped into what could be a flammable event.

If your vehicle should somehow have an electric fuel pump, it's likely that the previous owner did not wire in an inertia switch. Not sure when EFI became a factory offering, but thinking it wasn't until '86/'87.
Old 07-04-2008, 11:39 PM
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Originally Posted by wde3477
Carbureted engines with mechanical fuel pumps should not have an inertia switch.

The switch's function is to kill the electric fuel pumps in the event of a collision - so that fuel doesn't continue to be pumped into what could be a flammable event.

If your vehicle should somehow have an electric fuel pump, it's likely that the previous owner did not wire in an inertia switch. Not sure when EFI became a factory offering, but thinking it wasn't until '86/'87.
this makes sence... i have had some misleading answers to my problems. this haynes guide isnt too clear.

well the engine tries to crank but it just wont turn over... dumped gas into the carb and still wont turn over

next thing is to check spark i guess... but the truck ran fine before it sat for 2 months

it always used to be a little hard to start

but now it just wont turn over
Old 07-04-2008, 11:50 PM
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With a carbureted engine - should be smelling raw gas if the engine is rolling over without lighting off.

Suggest to find an old spark plug, or to pull one of the plugs, and verify spark.

Fuel, spark, timing - has to be one of those. The challenge is to identify which one. If you've dumped fuel down the carb throat without so much as a 'fart' - spark would be the next thing to chase, IMO.
Old 07-14-2008, 11:40 PM
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The inertia switches were not used before 86.
Old 07-15-2008, 02:16 PM
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Fyi, owned a 1985 Cougar 302 CFI, but can't remember before that.
Old 07-16-2008, 01:55 PM
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Ford offered EFI in 85
All 5.0 engines became EFI in 86(I know I own one)
It is right under the glove box, its a little black box looking thing and it has a white button on it



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