Well, if you're sure it's not your CPS, I'd say that the best bet is to jiggle the main wiring harness connector that rests on top of the driver's side valve cover. Based on what I've read, that is usually where the bad connection or short to ground will be found. My truck has now been running without a malfunction since the middle of April. (Knocking on wood.)

I'm planning to take my truck on the road for about 6,000 miles at the start of July. I've mostly not been wanting to do that because of this recurring problem. However, since it has not reoccurred in a while, I figure "what the heck". I've replaced so much I can't see where the problem can be anything except a wiring issue. I'm now prepared to be very selective in any future "jiggling" of components. Just one thing at a time until I can definitely rule something "out" or "in".

Good luck to you.

 

At this point, I'm afraid to say anything. I've now got 290,000 miles and haven't had a problem in a long time. I just replied to someone that it had been at least 10,000 trouble free miles but I think it's closer to 20,000. The last thing that I did was a whole lot of jiggling, tugging, pulling and pushing (and some small amount of cursing) at the wiring harness.

This all leads me to believe that the problem is a short or bad connection somewhere. The greatest amount of my attention was devoted to where the wiring harness crosses the driver's side valve cover. I just hope that mentioning it's running great doesn't curse me with the start of the problem all over again.

I got so confident in how things have been going that I bought and installed a new exhaust system and chipped the ECM. I'll post more info on that in another thread where I asked for suggestions on how to proceed with making a '99 worth keeping even longer. I do love my truck.

 

So let me get this straight, it drops to idle when your at crusing speeds? That is a symptom of TPS ford sells it as a whole peddle assymbily for about $250 or you can go on ebay and get a tps for about $30.

 

I was just reading this because my truck, a 2000 f-350 has been doing the same thing for the last 2 years. It seemed to be getting worse too. I had thought I fixed it by doing the IPC sensor but then it started again.. thought it was a dud and unplugged it and it was still doing it.

Anyway, after reading this I just went out to my truck and noticed that right where the harness connector is bolted to the drivers side valve cover, the wires had been rubbing. So I zip-tied it up, jump in the truck and there's no 'wait to start' light and the truck won't start. hrrmpf.. take off the zip tie, truck fires up! I went out and wiggled it a bit and the truck died. So I'm guessing that's what it has been.

At some point here I'll take it apart and see if I can repair the wires. Is there a replacement plug or something you can use here?

What I found a little odd is that it doesn't seem like the rubbing was the issue.. it's when I lift the wire bundle UP that it dies..

Hope this helps!