I have some problem with my engine. It runs great. When I take off from a stop it picks up rpms, then drops back to idle for a few seconds. Then it takes off. A couple times it has actually died. I have changed the CPS twice trying to fix the problem. It is full of oil. I pulled the programmer off, and it still does it. I don't know what else to do. I am afraid it will end up at the stealership. Do any of you know a reputable shope around the Conway that is good with diesels?

 

I'm relatively new to the 7.3's myself, bought mine in Jan of 08.

Scott (cookie88) and Dave (1996pwrstrk), on the other hand are veterans.

I'll go ahead and wage a guess just to see what they say, I'm thinking the
Throttle Position Sensor?

Do you have something to read the codes from the computer?

 

I have been usinf my Bully Dog to read codes. All i come up with is 0603, but I think it was from when I had the programmer on. I thought TPS also, but I didn't know if that would kill the engine or not. Hope someone chimes in soon. I leave for Houston in a week or so. Thanks for the input.

 

What kind of oil are you using and when was the last time it was changed?

 

Scott is on the phone with me right now and we agree with Joe the TPS sounds like the culprit.

 

I changed it first of Jan. I use Rotella T 15W40.

 

Is the TPS a dealer only item? It looks like it will be fun to change.

 

The TPS isn't available from Ford separately. You would have to purchase a $125 throttle pedal assembly. The upside of that is the pedal is extremely easy to replace, the downside is the cost trying to fix an unknown problem.

Somewhere up in the diesel forums is a link containing information on how to get a TPS without the rest of the assembly. I'll look for it this evening.

Does the Bully Dog tuner have any diagnostic capabilities besides reading codes? If it does you can pull up the input voltage to the pedal and watch it to see if it falls off when the truck acts up.

How often does it act up like this?

 

No, it cant do diagnostic. The truck probably acts up 4 out of 5 times when taking off.

 

Once you get it going down the road does it do ok?

Also, when you look up at the pedal does it have two plugs with separate throttle position and idle validation switches, or is it the combo switch with the single plug?

 

yes, it fine once you get going. It will scream on the interstate and never miss a lick. I am not sure about the pedal, I will have to check into it in the morning.

 

So where do we stand on this now? I haven't found the switch thread yet....there are about a gazillion hits for the TPS.

 

I pulled the pedal assembly out and cleaned everything with contact cleaner. No help. I spoke with a diesel mechanic at the local stealership, saw him at the local four wheeler shop. He said it sounds like the fuel pump.

 

If it was the fuel pump it wouldn't run good otherwise.

 

That's what I was thinking. Maybe he was just trying to drum up some business.