1977 F150 4x4 460cu in Automatic. Truck runs perfect, then for no apparent reason the ignition fails and the truck quits. Sometimes it will start back up, sometimes not. ( I put a tester in-line on plug #1 so I can see there's no ignition/spark) Just replaced the coil, distributor, and recently replaced alternator, regulator, and starter. Ignition still fails. Ignition control module is the only thing left. Could the module be the cause of this intermittent ignition failure? I thought when they quit you got no spark whatsoever?

 

Yes, classic symptom of a bad control module.
When you replace, go with a genuine Ford or Motorcraft unit. Cheap aftermarket units from overseas (China) fail quickly on a regular basis.

 

I'm going with Mike on this one, Control Module.
It sounds like you've really checked and replaced a lot of other parts.
Let us know what happens after you get that part on

 

Thanks guys. Rock Auto has a Motorcraft unit for about $35.00. Probably the best 35.00 I'll ever spend. It's left me on the side of the road 3 times, luckily I was able to get it home every time. I don't feel too bad about replacing the other stuff, it looked like original equipment so it was time anyway. Thanks for the info.

 

That probably isn't a bad price, but I'm just not a fan of mail order car parts, I'm also not a patient person.
it may be worth a few phone calls to see if a local parts place doesn't have one on a shelf.

 

My local parts stores usually don't have any OEM parts for this older truck, and my local Ford dealership is totally useless when it comes to the older vehicles. They look at you like you have 2 heads. Most times I'm forced to use aftermarket stuff, which I've had pretty good luck with. I have 3 classic Ford Trucks (77, 73, 60 all 4x4) and a 67 Ford Galaxie. They keep me busy !!!

 

As said several time, it is more likely than not the ICM (ignition control module) They can have a variety of symptoms when they start to fail. The can have hard starting, intermediate failures, popping/sputtering, or just totally die all at once. This host of symptoms sometimes makes them difficult to diagnose because there is not always a "textbook" symptom. Buy a high quality ICM because they fail a lot (my 79 is on it's 3rd ICM that I know of). If the truck is a daily driver it's not a bad idea to keep a spare ICM in the glove box.

 

I just had a module fail.It would not start when turning over but would try to start when key back to run.As in it would try to catch(bump over) when turned back to run.Replaced with a back up module and started right up.This was after testing out the ign system with a meter.Their are two wires from the module on one connector.One white and one red,one is for run the other is for start mode.

 

Yup, I've had mine do the exact same thing. I've also found that a weak battery will cause this same issue. weak batteries sometimes have enough amperage to turn the starter but not enough to trigger the ICM. Once you let off the starter the ICM has enough voltage to trigger causing the engine to hit and sometimes run backwards!

 

Thanks everyone for all of the great info.

 

I have a 1976 Ford F-250 never had any issues with it before I put it up for sale or not the next day to try to start it probably sucked for a month but which was never an issue before but it turned over just fine head feels this fine just no spark so checked a bunch of things and then change the coil and also the pickup coil in the distributor the module on the sidewall tested the starter solenoid texted a bunch of other stuff and other wires and I'm not getting power into the solenoid don't know what else to try don't know what else to do any advice???

 

Other possibilities are the ignition switch and possibly the main fusible link if nothing is getting power.

 

Advice? Yes....this is an old thread. You could try starting your own.

More advice....Proper sentence structure and punctuation/capitalization will go a loooong way in understanding your problem and helping out. If it's hard to understand you, how can we help you?

 

First off-welcome to FTE! Lots of good people here and often willing to help.

I applaud you for searching out an existing thread for advice on an issue you may be having. However, best to read these old threads, and if you need more help, to start your own thread.

Also helpful-break up the paragraph a bit. We're not really grammar ***** here, but if it's too hard to understand your probably, we'll skip it and move to the next thread. Sorry