I just want to start off by saying that I have never needed to really post anything due the overwhelming abundance of knowledge on this site. And thank you for any help I can get.

Ok, its a '96 f250 7.3l, automatic 2wheel with 298k.I made the choice to let my dad use my truck for a week while I was out of the country.... Bad idea. I come back to a dead battery and a check engine light. Charged the batteries, realized the door was never shut all the way. Once charged it started right up. The check engine light came on. After about 30 seconds I hear what sounds like a vacum pump and the light goes off. Truck drives fine and no weird shifting. If I try to drive it before the light goes out, it shifts really hard.

I haven't checked for codes yet. The tranny was replaced by ford about 25k ago. Custom exhaust, 10k mod, new hpop, new belt and fluids recently. I greatly appreciatte any help!!

 

Better get the code, but I'm trying to figure out what that noise is and why the cel is affected by it..

 

Is there an emissions pump that runs off of the belt just above the power steering? We just got our first big cold snap. Wondering if it would make it stick? And do these computers store the code?

 

Code will be stored. No emissions pump, AC?(my mind is blank) is right there. I don't know why that would affect the cel though. Need more help here, it will come.

 

Do you have a cali or federal truck?

 

No, Florida truck. It is the work edition. Rolling windows and rubber mat floors

 

I think your talking about the vacuum pump.

 

just an update here. problem went away. now its back. going to get a code reader tomorrow. now when the CEL goes off it shuts the truck down. turn the key off then back on, starts right up. very rarely, i have to do this twice. talked to a local and they where leaning towards the CPS. might just order one anyways to try/have.

thanks again for the help. sorry it took so long to get back to you. i was at school at penske.