Truck: Ford F150 1987 4spd manual transmission, generally extremely dependable and reliable. Two fuel tanks--I've only used one for several years.

What's been done: Fuel pump and filter check/replacements. Plugs, plug wires, distributor, water pump, tuneup, replaced both cat. converters, smogs fine, runs well except sudden death syndrome.

Okay...I have this truck, it's a working truck, not much pretty about it, but it runs and does what I want it to--until it didn't. That day it died for the first time, mid-road, about 50 mph. Restarted shortly. Repeated a couple more times that trip.

Since then it's been intermittent stall on the road, any speed, warm or cold. In the driveway, on the freeway, in town. Has a really odd feeling of 'hang time' when it dies, tach stays up, but nothing happens unless you put in the clutch--and then it just falls down and dies completely. Seems to be increasingly stubborn about restart, but not certain on that--it could just be that I'm frustrated more.

Just had work done on it, water pump, plug wires, distributor, plugs, tuneup...and it still dies. Mechanic said 'fuel pump--try pumping the gas pedal when it starts to die'. Nice idea, but flooded it beautifully and stuck me on the side of the road for an hour trying to get it restarted (which it usually does after a few minutes, if it doesn't restart while still in motion). When checked after that, the fuel pump pressure was spot-on normal.

When it dies, and I try to restart it, it sounds almost like a starter motor or a timing issue type thing--ka-chunkuh. Doesn't crank, really, after death, but after anything from one try to dozens, it will start back up normally, like nothing happened. (Or I can call 3A and it will start up shortly. Go figure!)

I read some of the other threads and told him about the crank/cam position sensor option that seemed to be key for others. He says he either can't find it or that model doesn't have one.????

HELP! I'm about ready to stuff a stick of dynamite up the tailpipe of this truck, but I love my truck and just want it to work right again. Your advice/assistance is much appreciated!

 

What motor? V8 or 6?

No cam sensor, that's a diesel thing.

Wonder if it's ignition switch? Typically a problem on these trucks. Might be worn enough to get bad connection, and shutting off randomly. Not the key, but the switch under the dash, on top of the column.

$13.00
Ignition Switch | AutoZone.com

 

Your cam position sensor is located inside the distributor and it could be your problem. We also call the cam sensor position sensor a PIP sensor or some just group it into the stator assembly.

You said you may have had the distributor replaced if so you got a used cam sensor position sensor (PIP sensor) with it if it was a rebuilt distributor and most rebuilt distributor will have this problem also.

Another thing it could be is the distributor mounted Ignition Control Module (some call it the TFI module).

I also think I would try another another mechanic as this one does not seem to know how your truck works.
He also sounds like he is costing you a lot of money.