Well first off, the vehicle in question is a 91 f-150 4x4 with the 300 I6. My truck had been fouling plugs for a while and also sending check engine lights. So the other day I decided to pick up a cheap code reader. Although the truck was running fairly good at the time, going by the instructions I went about fixing any known mechanical problems before doing the test. This included changing the oil cause it was getting to be that time and then changing the plugs just in case any of them were beginning to foul. After I changed the plugs I fired the truck up to let it warm up to working temp and it revved up like normal and then sputtered and died. I started it up again same thing. So the next time I started it up I milked the gas a little and managed to keep it running. I then got out my neon pen indicator light. You stick it next to the plug wires and it will flash when they fire. It showed that the 6th cylinder was firing only very intermittently. So I replaced the wires, and the cap and rotor. Same thing again. Next I began switching plugs around. Same thing again on the same cylinder. Then I switched two of the plug wires to make sure one of them wasn't faulty. Same cylinder not firing.

I went ahead and pulled the codes for KOEO. I got a 327, and a 328 continuos memory. However it keeps sending a 522 hard code even though my vehicle is in neutral and the clutch is to the floor.

Any help will be appreciated.
Morgan

 

one thing to check if you haven't already is below the rotor. If it is induction pick-up then one of the fins may be chipped or dirty making intermittent fire on #6. Sounds like you've covered all other possiblilties

 

Well,,,now all of the plugs are misfiring. So I checked the coil with the indicator pen and it showed erratic electrical activity. Obviously, I now suspect a bad coil. However before I buy a new one, is there anything that "controls" the coil that could cause this?

 

there is a pickup in the distributor that tells the coil when to fire, I would replace this b4 the coil.

 

What is the "official" name for the pickup, so I can pick one up at the parts store.

 

its the "STATOR" and I don't think that the vanes will be damaged. It is more likely that it's the electronics braking down, NAPA wants 38.99 for it....

 

Also, is there any reason the code reader continually says that it won't send the hard codes because the vehicle isn't in neutral, while i have the clutch to the floor and it's out of gear???

 

that sounds like the neutral safety switch. Also make sure that you are pressing the clutch down before turning the key.

 

Ford calls it the Profile Ignition Pickup (PIP), and there are specific codes for it in the list.