1988 F-150 problem

Reply Subscribe

Thread Tools

Search this Thread

Jan 28, 2015 | 11:26 AM

Wade R

Thread Starter

New User

Joined: Jan 2015

Posts: 4

Likes: 0

1988 F-150 problem

Good morning all, I have a 1988 F-150 with a 302 EFI engine. About two months ago I was getting ready to head home from work, I had started the pickup to let it warm up and after about 3 minutes of idling it suddenly died, I cranked on it several times and it started again but after about three seconds it died and would not start again. I had a mechanic look at it and he replaced the distributor and rotor and the wires and the control module. But it is still doing the same thing, after a short period of idling it suddenly dies. So my question is where do I go from here to figure out how to diagnose it to get it fixed? Unfortunately my mechanic is so swamped now he can't get to it so now I will need to it myself. I am not very mechanically inclined but I am fast learner so any and all advice is greatly appreciated. Thanks, Wade R.

Jan 28, 2015 | 11:47 AM

88n94

Cargo Master

Joined: Jan 2004

Posts: 3,118

Likes: 149

From: South Dakota

First I would make sure it is spark you are losing, your mechanic probably already did. I would be inclined to replace the coil next, I didn't see it on the list of stuff replaced. I would check to see if you are getting juice up to the coil through one of the small wires that hooks onto the coil, during that time when it won't start.

There is also a chance that the distributor your mechanic bought is just like the one that he replaced, if it was a rebuilt distributor.

Jan 28, 2015 | 11:54 AM

Wade R

Thread Starter

New User

Joined: Jan 2015

Posts: 4

Likes: 0

!988 F-150 problem

Yeah I forgot to include that the coil was replaced as well. He was going to check the fuel relay sensor next, but he hasn't been able to get back to it. So I thought I would take a crack at it. Could it be a plugged fuel filter that's causing this? Thanks

Jan 28, 2015 | 11:59 AM

Krisverde

Elder User

Joined: Oct 2008

Posts: 524

Likes: 1

From: Mesa, AZ

Do you hear your fuel pump prime at all? Check for fuel psi at the rail.

Jan 28, 2015 | 12:06 PM

88n94

Cargo Master

Joined: Jan 2004

Posts: 3,118

Likes: 149

From: South Dakota

Quote:

Originally Posted by Wade R

What I would do first is check to see if you have spark when it dies and won't start. Pull the big center wire out of the distributor cap and get it just above the terminal. Have someone run the starter while you watch for spark. If you don't have someone to run the starter from inside the truck get a remote starter switch, turn the ignition switch on, and crank the engine while you watch for spark at the disconnected wire.

Jan 28, 2015 | 12:07 PM

Wade R

Thread Starter

New User

Joined: Jan 2015

Posts: 4

Likes: 0

1988 F-150

I have not checked it there yet, I can start it up and drive it very short distances before it cuts out and dies. With the key on after it dies I can hear the fuel pump running.