Check engine light flashes when accelerating. 89' F-150
Hotshot
Joined: Jun 2015
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Likes: 2,437
Trailering
Joined: Jun 2012
Posts: 21
Likes: 1
Thank you, but I do not do motor vehicle repairs. I barely know what to put in the petrol. I am a senior citizen who was never trained to work on a motor vehicle in my life. The garage will have to take care of this, but I tried to do a little research so I could at least offer some ideas as to what might be wrong with it. This old thread gave me some good ideas.
Trailering
Joined: Jun 2012
Posts: 21
Likes: 1
Fleet Mechanic
Joined: Nov 2022
Posts: 1,697
Likes: 416
Thank you, but I do not do motor vehicle repairs. I barely know what to put in the petrol. I am a senior citizen who was never trained to work on a motor vehicle in my life. The garage will have to take care of this, but I tried to do a little research so I could at least offer some ideas as to what might be wrong with it. This old thread gave me some good ideas.
Personally I wouldn't trust a shop that isn't competent enough to work on one of these.
Hotshot
Joined: Nov 2017
Posts: 17,484
Likes: 2,773
From: Northern Ontario
Wow, old thread..
This is what you need. You can buy one direct from Innova or on Amazon, probably lots of other places too. Order one, and bring it with you to the shop you use. They should be able to figure it out. If they can’t, I’d guess it’s because they have no interest in working on it, and you’ll have to find a shop that will.
https://www.innova.com/products/digi...1981-1995-3145
This is what you need. You can buy one direct from Innova or on Amazon, probably lots of other places too. Order one, and bring it with you to the shop you use. They should be able to figure it out. If they can’t, I’d guess it’s because they have no interest in working on it, and you’ll have to find a shop that will.
https://www.innova.com/products/digi...1981-1995-3145
Trailering
Joined: Jun 2012
Posts: 21
Likes: 1
These trucks are old, but rather easy to work out issues on. I have a 91 f150. They are OBD1 computers, so you can pull codes with a paperclip, counting the CEL flashes. Or you can buy a scanner on Amazon for like $45, it will display the codes for you.
Personally I wouldn't trust a shop that isn't competent enough to work on one of these.
Personally I wouldn't trust a shop that isn't competent enough to work on one of these.
I heard O'Reilly Auto Parts also will run some sort of diagnostic for "Check Engine," but they stop at 1996. They will not look at a 1989.
Trailering
Joined: Jun 2012
Posts: 21
Likes: 1
Wow, old thread..
This is what you need. You can buy one direct from Innova or on Amazon, probably lots of other places too. Order one, and bring it with you to the shop you use. They should be able to figure it out. If they can’t, I’d guess it’s because they have no interest in working on it, and you’ll have to find a shop that will.
https://www.innova.com/products/digi...1981-1995-3145
This is what you need. You can buy one direct from Innova or on Amazon, probably lots of other places too. Order one, and bring it with you to the shop you use. They should be able to figure it out. If they can’t, I’d guess it’s because they have no interest in working on it, and you’ll have to find a shop that will.
https://www.innova.com/products/digi...1981-1995-3145
ETA: I put one in my cart on Amazon so I will not forget. I have absolutely no idea whatsoever how to even use one these.
Last edited by Aristotle; Jul 18, 2024 at 09:40 PM.
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Fleet Mechanic
Joined: Nov 2022
Posts: 1,697
Likes: 416
Thanks, Jeff. I will consider it. Does it work on all automobiles? The reason I ask is I sincerely hope to sell this truck by early next year. I hate to put any more money into it right now, but it is all I have. Without it, I am stranded. I have no one to help me get to doctor, chemist, grocery, or anywhere else. Once it is running okay again, though, I am going to list it for sale. A couple of people told me it is worth $20K or more. If I can get that much for it, I will be able to buy something newer than hopefully can last me the rest of my life. I am getting up there in age now, and I really would like to get one more good vehicle (preferably a truck) to last until I die.
ETA: I put one in my cart on Amazon so I will not forget. I have absolutely no idea whatsoever how to even use one these.
ETA: I put one in my cart on Amazon so I will not forget. I have absolutely no idea whatsoever how to even use one these.
Plug scanner in. Turn key on. Record numbers. Don't worry about KOER (key on engine running) test
Hotshot
Joined: Jun 2015
Posts: 12,835
Likes: 2,437
You obviously do not read what people write. I stated earlier that my truck is not amenable to computer diagnosis, which is PRECISELY why only two garages in town will try to work on it. It is a 1989 model---35 years old. Many folks working at garages now have never worked on a truck this old and have no idea where to begin. Thanks for the opinion, though, genius.
I wouldn’t say I’m a genius but I was a Ford certified tech in the 90’s so I worked on these vehicles when they were new.
More Turbo
Joined: Feb 2022
Posts: 656
Likes: 106
From: New Dominion, PE
You obviously do not read what people write. I stated earlier that my truck is not amenable to computer diagnosis, which is PRECISELY why only two garages in town will try to work on it. It is a 1989 model---35 years old. Many folks working at garages now have never worked on a truck this old and have no idea where to begin. Thanks for the opinion, though, genius.
you can read here for the paperclip method: https://www.ford-trucks.com/forums/1...aper-clip.html
Trailering
Joined: Jun 2012
Posts: 21
Likes: 1
find a garage or mechanic in your area who still has an OBD1 scan tool. there are also methods of getting the codes from the ECM using a paperclip method and watching the dash lights flash as it goes thru the self tests.
you can read here for the paperclip method: https://www.ford-trucks.com/forums/1...aper-clip.html
you can read here for the paperclip method: https://www.ford-trucks.com/forums/1...aper-clip.html
I am very relieved. There is only one thing I do not understand. The lady said the mechanic wants to keep it overnight to make sure it starts up properly in the morning. Does that sound like a normal thing to do?? I want to get it back asap. I have never been told anything like that before, I felt I had to agree because I am not a mechanic, you know?
Fleet Mechanic
Joined: Nov 2022
Posts: 1,697
Likes: 416
By "throttle sensor" I'm going to assume he's talking about the TPS (Throttle Position Sensor) if it fails, it can cause some issues. Do you know what TPS code was there?
It can be tested, and is pretty easy to replace.
It can be tested, and is pretty easy to replace.
Hotshot
Joined: Nov 2017
Posts: 17,484
Likes: 2,773
From: Northern Ontario
Sounds reasonable to me. Just to be sure. Sometimes, if you are a long term / known customer, and have an intermittent issue, they may even drive it back and forth to the shop for a couple of days to trouble shoot / diagnose.
Sounds like it might be a decent shop after all, most would just kick it out the door and wish you the best of luck with it.
I wouldn’t start second guessing them, unless they give you reason to.
If possible, try to use Motorcraft parts when available.
TPS = Throttle Position Sensor.
Sounds like it might be a decent shop after all, most would just kick it out the door and wish you the best of luck with it.
I wouldn’t start second guessing them, unless they give you reason to.
If possible, try to use Motorcraft parts when available.
TPS = Throttle Position Sensor.