93 4.9L dies when hot outside

[stractor]

the problem you describe is also a symptom of a bad ignition module( the one on the side of the distributor) , ford had a recall on it in the early 90s. You could also have a problem with the The EEC Relay ( Electronic Engine Control Relay) This supplies power to the computer and if the contacts are bad (mine was full of water) the engine will die and may or may not restart or will not start at all. My guess would be the ignition module on the distributor. There was a problem with the solid state device failing when it was hot and restarting when it cooled off. If you can find the recall notices look it up.

[stractor]

Here read this might help.
Ford Ranger/Bronco II TFI Ignition Diagnostics

[feeniks4.9]

Originally Posted by stractor

Here read this might help.
Ford Ranger/Bronco II TFI Ignition Diagnostics

Yeah, I think I found my smoking gun(from the Class Action Lawsuit linked to the article):

"..(the) TFI-IV module—which is an ignition-system component that Ford installed on the distributors of class vehicles—had an inordinately high propensity for failure due to overheating. The plaintiffs alleged that TFI module failure is more likely to occur in conditions that cause the TFI module to become overheated, such as in hot weather and while the vehicle’s engine is under load (such as while towing or while driving up a grade) or while idling for extended periods. The plaintiffs also alleged that TFI module failure frequently occurs on an intermittent basis; that is, the module will fail while hot, and then recover and continue functioning after it cools. "

Oh, sonofa....*bleep*!

This would be why it appeared to be related to cooling - I had replaced the module about five years ago, so I never even considered it when someone mentioned it earlier. As it happened five years ago, it never re-started when it died in the middle of a freakin' busy intersection, so the symptoms are completely different - and I see from your link that there are two different TSBs, one related to no restart, and one related to intermittent starting.

I replaced the part after a cop pushed me into the parking lot of a hotel (...so... embarrassing...), and I was good to go...

I am walking the line between being highly annoyed that this was the problem, and elated that this is the problem... I would hug you, you know, in a totally message-board-only way, if such a thing were possible... of course, the shop my truck is parked in is closed for the day, and they don't re-open until Monday morning... I'm going to be all twitchy until then.

I read the class action suit - but I can't find any TSB's related to the f-150 on this, do you know if one exists?

[stractor]

Yes -I have read the TSB when I had a subscription to Alldata. I don't know why the TSB's are such a closely guarded secret, possibly so someone can make money off them. Go here there is a wealth of tfi information as well as an interesting artical about the spout connector grounding (tsb issued)-poke around and read.
http://www.broncolinks.com/index.php?index=230

[ElwoodMurphy]

dtvperfect, I've noticed the same thing on my 92, I'll have to look for it, thanks for the info.