1988 Ford F-150 Problems
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From: Tonopah Nevada
1988 Ford F-150 Problems
I have picked up a 1998 F-150 with the 5.0 in it and I have been having problems with it.
The engine will run for 10 min. or so and then it stops. I could smell a faint scent of electrical burning when it stopped.
I could felt the alternator & it was hot or at least the back of it was hot.
Does any one have any Ideas????
The engine will run for 10 min. or so and then it stops. I could smell a faint scent of electrical burning when it stopped.
I could felt the alternator & it was hot or at least the back of it was hot.
Does any one have any Ideas????
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Joined: Dec 2001
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From: Southeast FLA
1988 Ford F-150 Problems
There have been a lot of problems with certain years' electrical connections - the ones that go to the side of the alternator. If yours (1988) is anything like mine (1993), then do a careful inspection of the wires just above the connector, and the connector itself, for signs of blackness and melting.
To do this you will probably need to pull the connector out of the alternator, and to do that I needed to pull the alternator out to get it out. Why? Well it just wouldn't come out at the angle I pulled at it... but I was changing out the alternator anyway. Maybe it had a screw or tab holding it in - I don't recall.
Of course, ALWAYS disconnect your battery terminals before playing with anything like this.
Believe it or not, this is such a problem that new alternators come with a new connector (that has wires sticking out of it) and heat-shrink tubing, and the alternator manufacturer often requires the owner change the harness with the alternator for the warranty to be valid.
My connector showed signs of melting and blackness (burning/cooking).
Glad I took care of it before it failed or burned.
Best,
To do this you will probably need to pull the connector out of the alternator, and to do that I needed to pull the alternator out to get it out. Why? Well it just wouldn't come out at the angle I pulled at it... but I was changing out the alternator anyway. Maybe it had a screw or tab holding it in - I don't recall.
Of course, ALWAYS disconnect your battery terminals before playing with anything like this.
Believe it or not, this is such a problem that new alternators come with a new connector (that has wires sticking out of it) and heat-shrink tubing, and the alternator manufacturer often requires the owner change the harness with the alternator for the warranty to be valid.
My connector showed signs of melting and blackness (burning/cooking).
Glad I took care of it before it failed or burned.
Best,
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From: Tonopah Nevada
1988 Ford F-150 Problems
Cool I was just starting to see that the wires do look alittle warped so I will go through the harness to see if there are any more things that don't look correct I'll look at a little more. Thank so much for your help. Ford Rhatt
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From: Tonopah Nevada
1988 Ford F-150 Problems
Well basically:
It runs for ten min. then stops
I smell electrical getting hot
I feel the back of the alternator is getting very hot like some thing is shorted.
The fuel pump relay does not always engage
I did find a Ground that is not attached to anything(it has been cut ) I just replaced the water pump and found the oil sending unit disconected. Does this have a shut down like the old VW's? where it will shut down with no oil pressure?
This is what I have found so far. Any Ideas????
It runs for ten min. then stops
I smell electrical getting hot
I feel the back of the alternator is getting very hot like some thing is shorted.
The fuel pump relay does not always engage
I did find a Ground that is not attached to anything(it has been cut ) I just replaced the water pump and found the oil sending unit disconected. Does this have a shut down like the old VW's? where it will shut down with no oil pressure?
This is what I have found so far. Any Ideas????
Lead Driver
Joined: Feb 2003
Posts: 8,140
Likes: 4
From: Oak Harbor, OH
1988 Ford F-150 Problems
Sounds like you need to get a haynes manual and check you wiring. The alternator you have my family has dubbed "The flamethrower" as we had 3 of them catch fire on the same vehicle. Buy and expensive alternator (100+ dollars) and get a NEW not REBUILT one. It should also come with the NEW wiring harness that has to be soldered in place. After you have done all this that annoying hot wiring problem shoulsd go away. As for the truck running and dieing, as you stated the fuel pump relay doesn't always catch, that is where I would start relace it and make sure the grounds are all good. Replace all the wiring from the battery when you do the alternator. By all the wiring I mean new battery cables, both positive and negative, and use larger ones than your originals. You want to make sure that you have plenty of juice all the time. If it still acts up after replacing the fuel pump relay, replace the EEC relay as that was a problem too.
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1988 Ford F-150 Problems
Thank you the user's who tried to help Ford Rhatt feel welcome to FTE.
One thing I would like to remind everyone is, that were are all different in some way and not everyone is really knowledgeable with computers and how to do things.
This is where we really hope patience with new users prevails and things can roll along smoothly.
It is also imperitive that new users take some time looking around and getting a feel for things to see how they are done.
Like what is appropriate and what isn't.
But we should all remember that the FTE Moderators & Administration are here to help new users in any way we can.
Don't be afraid to ask.
These are the things that sets FTE apart from the others.
Everyone enjoy your day,
Yours in Fords,
One thing I would like to remind everyone is, that were are all different in some way and not everyone is really knowledgeable with computers and how to do things.
This is where we really hope patience with new users prevails and things can roll along smoothly.
It is also imperitive that new users take some time looking around and getting a feel for things to see how they are done.
Like what is appropriate and what isn't.
But we should all remember that the FTE Moderators & Administration are here to help new users in any way we can.
Don't be afraid to ask.
These are the things that sets FTE apart from the others.
Everyone enjoy your day,
Yours in Fords,
Posting Guru
Joined: Dec 2001
Posts: 2,017
Likes: 2
From: Southeast FLA
1988 Ford F-150 Problems
I take it his threads have been edited and pasted together. Eerie - reminiscent of an Orwellian 'Big Brother' event...
Maybe it's just me, but I would like to see such events at least noted in the changed threads, as it would explain the seemingly broken flow of posts (e.g. why would he reply to himself in the above post?) and, lastly, it is just plain honest.
ford rhatt, pfogle might be on to something there with his suggestion to replace a lot of the main wiring. First, don't neglect that cut negative lead you found, and second, if you look to my gallery (and look really closely) you'll see a second negative battery cable I put in the truck. I was lucky as I had an aftermarket battery that had additional connections on the sides (the original truck uses the top-posts). My engine runs better and my starter turns faster after the addition.
Maybe it's just me, but I would like to see such events at least noted in the changed threads, as it would explain the seemingly broken flow of posts (e.g. why would he reply to himself in the above post?) and, lastly, it is just plain honest.
ford rhatt, pfogle might be on to something there with his suggestion to replace a lot of the main wiring. First, don't neglect that cut negative lead you found, and second, if you look to my gallery (and look really closely) you'll see a second negative battery cable I put in the truck. I was lucky as I had an aftermarket battery that had additional connections on the sides (the original truck uses the top-posts). My engine runs better and my starter turns faster after the addition.
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New User
Joined: Jun 2003
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From: Tonopah Nevada
1988 Ford F-150 Problems
Thanks everyone for the input I went through the truck again today and I found the two relays that control the fuel pump were full of water and rust so I am going to figure out where the water came from and replace the two relays. I still think that the ground has something to do with the over all problem also. I check the plugs around the alternator and the control modu. they seem to be still ok but I will be putting some grease for electric parts on them any way I thank all of you for your help I'll let you know how it goes F.R.
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From: Tonopah Nevada
1988 Ford F-150 Problems
Originally posted by pfogle
Sounds like you need to get a haynes manual and check you wiring. The alternator you have my family has dubbed "The flamethrower" as we had 3 of them catch fire on the same vehicle. Buy and expensive alternator (100+ dollars) and get a NEW not REBUILT one. It should also come with the NEW wiring harness that has to be soldered in place. After you have done all this that annoying hot wiring problem shoulsd go away. As for the truck running and dieing, as you stated the fuel pump relay doesn't always catch, that is where I would start relace it and make sure the grounds are all good. Replace all the wiring from the battery when you do the alternator. By all the wiring I mean new battery cables, both positive and negative, and use larger ones than your originals. You want to make sure that you have plenty of juice all the time. If it still acts up after replacing the fuel pump relay, replace the EEC relay as that was a problem too.
Sounds like you need to get a haynes manual and check you wiring. The alternator you have my family has dubbed "The flamethrower" as we had 3 of them catch fire on the same vehicle. Buy and expensive alternator (100+ dollars) and get a NEW not REBUILT one. It should also come with the NEW wiring harness that has to be soldered in place. After you have done all this that annoying hot wiring problem shoulsd go away. As for the truck running and dieing, as you stated the fuel pump relay doesn't always catch, that is where I would start relace it and make sure the grounds are all good. Replace all the wiring from the battery when you do the alternator. By all the wiring I mean new battery cables, both positive and negative, and use larger ones than your originals. You want to make sure that you have plenty of juice all the time. If it still acts up after replacing the fuel pump relay, replace the EEC relay as that was a problem too.
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