My truck keeps stalling without any trouble codes, and I've done some reading and the symptoms all point to a bad CPS. I figured that I would just simply buy a CPS and replace the old one. But then, I did more reading, and apparently there are something like four different varieties.

I'm running a '96 F-250 with a 7.3L Powerstroke, and I'm wondering which CPS to buy.

 

Go to Ford and buy one for the 7.3. That will get you back up and running if you have a CPS issue. After that we can discuss the differences in some of the different CPS's. It's always a good idea to keep a spare CPS, so if you decide to change again later, you can always keep the one you buy from Ford tomorrow as your spare.

 

OEM...as I am learning the "Knockoff's" are suspect...i.e. big box parts house...

 

Some say that the old CPS that was recalled functions better for them than the new one. I was wondering if anyone has had similar experiences.

Edit: This post refers only to sensors manufactured by Ford and International.

 

I would suggest getting an black one from clay @ riffraff, he will take better care of you than the ford dealer

 

The black CPS is a better performing sensor, but they have a tendency to fail without warning as most of us have found out(hints the recall)

The grey CPS(recall install) can sometimes be bad right out of the box. Also they can lower your mileage and show injector codes when you run the cylinder contribution test. can also cause a bit of a rough idle sometimes

The dark grey CPS is working good for me so far. Mileage came back up from the grey CPS and a bit better idle. I haven't run the CCT to see if it sets any codes though

All those sensors are for our 7.3s some people will use sensors from the bigger IH engines, but they can mess with the timing when used in our application. The black is the original, the grey is the one Ford uses for the recalls and sells over counter also, The dark grey w/ purple/blue o-ring can be had if you order for a '95 model from Ford. The part number is running around here somewhere.

In your case, I would just go get one from Ford, doesn't matter the color right now. Get the truck back on the road and if/when you feel like messing with other sensors then you can order a black CPS from Clay or get a dark grey sensor from Ford or IH.

 

I ordered one of these. It's a Motorcraft part. I'll let you guys know how it works when it arrives.

One thing is that the truck is not really out of commission. It runs, but stalls occasionally. About once every other trip. I just put it into neutral and fire it back up. Also, the truck is not my daily driver, so I have time to wait for a part.

Edit: Do not drive with a CPS that you know is bad.

But, the nature behind this thread is the main issue you hit on. Will an original black sensor actually perform better than the one I ordered? If yes, well it be a big difference?

 

I put a CPS for a 99-03 7.3 in a 95 and it ran great, cost a good bit less too.

 

dark gray part numbers:

Ford F4TZ-12K073-C
IH 1876736C91

 

I took the CPS out today, and it was the original black one. I put one of the new Motorcraft sensors with the blue gasket on it today (Ford F4TZ-12K073-C). I haven't had any issues yet, and it runs just fine. I didn't drive it a whole lot, though. Only time will tell, I guess.

One thing I learned is not to drive on a bad CPS. You can tell from my earlier post that I thought it was fine to do so. Well, the truck stalled on me in busy downtown traffic, and the thing wouldn't start for two or three minutes. Nothing else happened, but it easily could have caused an accident or heavily disrupted traffic. And, it was very embarrassing.