I recently purchased my 1992 f350 4x4 7.3l IDI. It has just over 200k on it. PO says he rebuilt E4OD 40k ago, he also said he fixed the fuel leak. I have replace valve cover gaskets, one leaky transmission cooling line, fuel filter, VSS (I read in a post it could be causing one of my issues, more to follow) and a fresh oil change. I have decent mechanical abilities I am mostly self taught and new to diesel motors. I am having a few issues with my truck currently.
1. Hard shifting from 1-2, smooth 2-3, 3-4 hard and OD engages at about 35-40 mph hard engagement motor bogs until about 50 then feels powerful again.
2. Not sure which code reader to buy equus 3143 or equus 3145??
3. Rear abs light is on all the time
4. Occasionally OD light will blink (haven't noticed a pattern as to what triggers it)
5. Truck has to be started in neutral. previous owner claimed to be a diesel mechanic and says he adjusted a sensor or something to make it have to start in neutral as a "safety" feature. Anyone know how to change this back? Could this cause my hard shifts?
6. I also read that the third break light being out could affect the transmission and make it shift weird? The light above cab is out, I am unsure if it is a third brake light or simply a light to illuminate the bed on this year of truck?
7. the guy prior drove it down a dirt road daily with no fuel cap on front tank and it now has debris in the tank. Truck runs rough off that tank and fuel filter light comes on with that tank only. How hard is cleaning out the tank? Again fuel filter has less than 1k under it's belt.
8. The truck has a hard time starting in the morning, I have to cycle key a few time. Batteries are only 650 CCA. Starter appears new. Any advice? I plan on getting bigger batteries before winter here in CO hits.

I have read a lot of posts of people having similar issues I just haven't found answers I need for my specific situation and issues. Any help and advice on any of these issues is greatly appreciated. I apologize for the long post and multitude of issues. Thanks for your help, mike.

 

I don't think the 92 had any code reading capabilities.

And never, never, never buy from a mechanic.

As for the tranny issues, I can't help you cuz I have a C6, sorry.

 

What's the voltage at the batteries before you start the engine? Use a multimeter cuz you need to know the voltage down to the first decimal digit, like 12.1V. What is the condition of your battery cables? How old is your Voltage Regulator?

 

Genscripter thank you for the advice on not buying from a mechanic, too late on this one haha. Now I just need to get her right. I do not own a multimeter at the moment. The volt gauge on my dash says it's right in the middle and when cranking it will drop to the low end. Any time I roll my windows up or down volt gauge will drop to low end as well. Cables appear old and probably could use replacing.

 

Just pick up a multimeter if you can; even a Harbor Freight $5 cheapy will be plenty accurate and work nicely. All radioshacks, Lowe's, Home Depot etc have cheap ones available.

Think of it as an investment; you can use one for a lot of diagnostics on these old trucks.

 

Thanks, ya I know all of my tools are investments. Any ideas on what the voltage should be on the batteries before starting it?

 

Hey another Colorado member, Where are you? I'm out in the flat part most mistake for Nebraska.
A 92 with a e4od should have a plug for a code reader, but half the time they don't help.
dose the speedometer read right? or bounce

 

I'm in Colorado Springs. The speedo reads fine. When I set cruise control though, it will bounce. The throttle will constantly fluctuate trying to maintain speed. The speedo then will bounce within about a mph or so of where I set cruise control.

 

What I would try is there is a sensor on the top of the rear axle, take it out and clean the stuff off of It or change it I think there about 20 bucks, Your speedo reads off of it, the abs also needs it and computer for the trans takes a reading from that one sensor, also inspect the wires going to it and wiggle them to see if it helps or hurts.

 

I have already replaced the VSS sensor on top of the pumpkin on rear axle with no help

 

oh boy lol.first,welcome to the diesel world and FTE.

1.sounds like TPS/FIPL is bad/maladjusted.

2.either scanner will work.you can just buy the cheaper one if you want:

i think that's the one i have.it has hold,beeps and flashes a light.it works great.it doesn't need to be fancy.

3.unsure.

4.the code reader will tell you what's going on.

5.the MLPS/range sensor/neutral safety switch located on the drivers side of trans.sounds like it's out of adjustment and or faulty.it should start in P or N.
inspect it.trig the wheels,set e-brake,and shift trans into N.remove shift cable and inspect the lines match while in N.if not,make them line up.
(if you need more help on MLPS adjustment,please search.)

no.this isn't the issue causing hard engine starting.

6.there is no 3rd brake light on a '92.that wasn't introduced until 1994.

7.you should consider pulling the tank and flushing it thoroughly or just replace it.

8.you should seek the top "read first" posts.there are great links there.you'll find one titled "glow plug 101" or the like.this will help you fully diagnose the glow plug circuit.
however,for now; the batteries should be a minimum of 850 CCA each.


good luck on your journey.it may take a while,but eventually the old gal can be resurrected and be like new again........eventually.
prepare to spend more in parts than what you bought the truck for.if you don't plan on this,then old Betsy will......well........she'll always be old.

 

Thank you for your advice and referral to the glow plug thread. I will be buying new batteries when money allows and diagnosing glow plugs here soon. I need to solve this hard shifting issue first. I have been reading a lot about the fipl being the issue and will be looking into adjusting or replacing it.

 

Checked the voltage today on both batteries 12.6v. The cables aren't new but they aren't in bad shape.

 

Bummer. A new VR would have been an easy fix. I guess you just have lots of unrelated problems.

 

Ya it's lookin that way.