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Old Dec 13, 2022 | 06:22 PM
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Shudder/Skip

Hey all, I’m back. 1990 F-250 5.8L manual trans.
I had an issue where I lost spark, found the ignition coil was faulty and replaced it. Then set timing and the weirdest thing happened… I watched the mark I made at 10BTDC, which is where I set the timing and watched it with a light, as the truck was idling, the timing mark went up, and up, and up. The truck was changing timing on its own. Spout still unplugged. It worked its way from 10BTDC, to about 10ATDC and the truck shut off. Well I had a warranty on the distributor FD14 WAI-GLOBAL, so I replaced it. Set timing again and this time all was well, timing marks on the HB did not move. So naturally I went for a drive, The truck is shuttering/skipping on me really bad. It goes away at WOT or close to WOT. It also does it with no load on the engine while pressing the throttle on and off. I do not have an Illuminated CEL, but I have yet to check KOEO, CM, and KOER codes. I’m thinking it is a Throttle Position Sensor, I have never replaced it and have no idea how old it is. Any ideas?
 
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Old Dec 13, 2022 | 07:45 PM
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With the SPOUT disconnected, the computer doesn't control the timing. The pip sends a signal to the ICM...the ICM amplifies the signal and sends it to the coil. And the coil send the spark to the distributor and sparkplug.
Did your timing move with the new distributor?
 
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Old Dec 13, 2022 | 07:53 PM
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Originally Posted by Prototypemech
With the SPOUT disconnected, the computer doesn't control the timing. The pip sends a signal to the ICM...the ICM amplifies the signal and sends it to the coil. And the coil send the spark to the distributor and sparkplug.
Did your timing move with the new distributor?
no the timing did not change with the new distributor and the spout unplugged, so somthing was wrong with the old distributor, whether it was the ICM or the PIP. But the issue I’m having now doesn’t seem to be related to that part
 
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Old Dec 13, 2022 | 07:56 PM
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Check your firing order. Check for vacuum leaks. Check the vacuum hose going to your map.
 
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Old Dec 13, 2022 | 07:58 PM
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Crossfire.
Re-check the routing of your plug wires.
 
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Old Dec 13, 2022 | 08:00 PM
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Originally Posted by wwhite
Crossfire.
Re-check the routing of your plug wires.
done and done. 7 and 8 are isolated, 5 and 6 are isolated. Plug wires new. Doesn’t drop rpm at idle
 
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Old Dec 13, 2022 | 08:02 PM
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Here’s a video
 
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Old Dec 13, 2022 | 08:02 PM
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How about trying a cylinder drop test. Allow the engine to idle and remove 1 sparkplug lead at a time. As you remove each plug lead, listen to the rpm drop. The cylinders that aren't working won't cause a rpm drop.
 
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Old Dec 13, 2022 | 08:03 PM
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Originally Posted by Marsh90250
Here’s a video
No video found.
 
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Old Dec 13, 2022 | 08:05 PM
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Originally Posted by Marsh90250
done and done. 7 and 8 are isolated, 5 and 6 are isolated. Plug wires new. Doesn’t drop rpm at idle
Interesting....
the #1 and #3, or #5 and #6 spark plug wires must be separated
 
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Old Dec 13, 2022 | 08:09 PM
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Sorry, video took a while to update. Here it is
 
Attached Files
File Type: mov
IMG_2517.MOV (9.46 MB, 23 views)
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Old Dec 13, 2022 | 08:12 PM
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Can’t do anymore tests tonight, it’s raining, will pull some data for you tomorrow. It’s hard to separate #1-4 spark plug wires because they are routed through the tunnels between the upper intake manifold. Will see what I can do.
 
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Old Dec 13, 2022 | 08:17 PM
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Your tach tells me that your spark is dropping out. Not a coil problem, but either PIP or ICM. Maybe distributor #3 will be a winner.
 
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Old Dec 13, 2022 | 08:22 PM
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Originally Posted by Prototypemech
Your tach tells me that your spark is dropping out. Not a coil problem, but either PIP or ICM. Maybe distributor #3 will be a winner.
Or maybe wiring? Is there no chance it’s a TPS?
 
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Old Dec 13, 2022 | 08:32 PM
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TPS has nothing to do with your ignition system. The only thing that'll make your tach bounce like that is bad PIP, ICM, or ignition switch. And since none of your other gauges are dropping out, it's not your ignition switch.
It could be a loose connector on your distributor, but you said it clears up near WOT, so probably not a loose connector.
 
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