Good morning FTE!

I am new to FTE and new to diesel trucks. I have owned a 97 Ford Ranger and 2007 Tacoma X-Runner and am pretty good with N/A and basic maintenance.

I am now the proud owner of a 1997 F-250 7.3 Powerstroke with 164,000 miles. My favorite truck of all time. It runs great, however, sometimes when I'm in idle the truck turns off. It does turn right back on and it has not done this while moving. It's actually only does this twice and I've put about 150 miles the 4 days I've owned it.

Any suggestions to fix this FTE?

From what I've read it could be the fuel filter or CPS sensor. I plan on changing the fuel filter, oil, and fluids this week. Anything else I should do for this problem or in general because of the trucks age?

Thanks for the help!

 

That sounds to me like a sticking IPR. CPS isn't a terrible thing to try either, since it is only about a $40 part and it's a good idea to carry a spare (only OEM parts for the CPS).

When it dies and you're cranking it, does the tachometer needle move while you're cranking? Do you get ay smoke out the tailpipe before it fires?

Oh, and by the way, welcome to the best forum around for these trucks. These guys are great!

 

The truck isn't my DD so I'll have to check the tachometer next time it happens. It turns right back on when it happens and definitely no smoke. Also there's no telling when it will happen. It's happened twice in 4 days and there was no indication. Truck wasn't running rough in idle or anything.

 

I'd guess the cps is your problem.

 

Had to go to your profile to find out it's an automatic transmission; would've been helpful to specify that in the OP. Anyway, by "in idle", does this mean while the truck is sitting, in Neutral or Park? Or is it when you're stopped at a stop sign / stop light, holding the truck down in Drive with the brakes?

 

Sorry I should have provided that information

And I meant when I'm at a stop sign/light, holding the truck in drive. It has yet to happen in park or neutral.

 

Could be the torque converter not unlocking. Do your brake lights work?

 

Does it just quit while stopped or die while stopping? If it dies while stopping and feels/sounds like the truck is struggling to stay alive madpogue probably has you on the right track

 

Only when the truck is has completely stopped as I am holding it in drive. It's really weird. Truck doesn't hiccup or anything. Turns off then I'm able to turn it right back on. It also has only happened within the first five minutes of driving. Then it doesn't happen again.

Picked up a CPS from Ford today. I'm hoping this ends up being the issue. Never know what your getting on craigslist I guess.

 

Update:

Replaced the CPS last night. The one in the truck was black and a little corroded, new one was grey.

Ran for about 30 minutes, held the truck in drive, didn't stall. Hopefully CPS was the fix.

I did notice after replacing the CPS that the truck seems to start a lot smoother. Not sure if I'm imagining this though.

 

Also with what "madpogue" said, check the fluid level in the trans. If it is too low, the pump will cause engine stall. Ask me how I know.

 

3 days now and no issue. I'm keeping my fingers crossed. I even purposely wait longer at stop signs and when I'm getting ready to park.

Changing oil, transmission fluid, coolant, and adding a 6337 filter this weekend.

I love this truck!