1996 E250 cranks but won't start after tree broke windshield

Asked by HeadScratcher Jul 22, 2023 at 04:06 PM about the 1996 Ford E-Series E-250 3 Dr STD Econoline Cargo Van

Question type: Maintenance & Repair

Hi, I've got a 1996 E250 van that was running fine, but while parked, a tree fell and broke the windshield while I was out of town.  It did some minor body damage, but nothing that seems (visually) like it obviously affected fuel or electrical wires and lines other than knocking out a headlamp (by puncturing the fiberglass hood and knocking the passenger headlamp and some headlamp trim out the front...headlamp electrical connector is still present in engine compartment).

Some water has entered the passenger side through the broken windshield and has gotten between the broken glass and top of dashboard, or maybe also in through the defrost vents on the dash and has come out where the blower motor is in front of the passenger sear near the floor.  I've seen a trickle of water coming out by the front passenger foot area, but it's either exited out of the front passenger door on the floor near the hinge, or evaporated over a day or so.  

Engine cranks, but won't start.  Where should I look for clues?
Thanks in advance,
HeadScratcher

3 Answers

HeadScratcher answered 9 months ago

Well, I found the answer with some additional interwebs searching. The inertial fuel shutoff switch had tripped (to stop fuel flow in the event of an accident), probably when the tree hit the van, and resetting it allowed the van to start right up. On my E250, the switch was located in the interior on the passenger side near where the front of the dash comes down to meet the side panel, above the wheel well . On the plastic side panel, there's and embossed arrow and text that says "FUEL RESET", and reaching into the cavity it points to let me push the round, red button back down, which reset the switch and allowed fuel to flow, which allowed the vehicle to start. Thanks for reading, and Good Luck!

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beatupchevy answered 9 months ago

That probably would have been the first response you got but posting can be delayed here apparently

1 people found this helpful.
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155,245

james answered 9 months ago

Yes, that's called the fuel inertia switch. It's designed to shut off the fuel pump in the event of a collision to help avoid a fire. It makes sense that the jolt from the tree limb could trip the switch. It can also be tripped by a panic stop. Glad you found it and that's what was wrong! Unfortunately your question wasn't viewable, for whatever reason, earlier or we could have answered sooner! Jim

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