Runaway V-10 Engine
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7th Gear
Joined: Jun 2023
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Runaway V-10 Engine
Just experienced a frightening problem in my RV with a V-10 engine. While at a stoplight it suddenly revved uncontrollably. I was unable to completely hold it to a stop so I then put it in neutral. After a couple more seconds it returned to normal idle. The whole incident lasted less than 10 seconds.
For the details on the engine: It is from a 1999 F-53 chassis. Total miles on engine - 18,000 (not a misprint!)
Any thoughts on what might have caused it?
For the details on the engine: It is from a 1999 F-53 chassis. Total miles on engine - 18,000 (not a misprint!)
Any thoughts on what might have caused it?
Fleet Owner
Joined: Aug 2010
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From: Reynoldsburg, Ohio
Without that chassis and year info my WAG quickly came to mind, given that's not possible might be something hanging up the throttle body itself of the cable anywhere from inside the cabin to the TB itself.
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7th Gear
Joined: Jun 2023
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The acceleration started while I was stopped at an intersection, so it would not have been that the cable was stuck. I will pick this thread up again when I can get a look at the vehicle.
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FTE Community Team
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What RPM did it rev to?
What RPM did it rev to?
What motorhome is built on this chassis?
is this the original engine for this chassis or is the engine a replacement engine in a chassis that has more miles on it?
What RPM did it rev to?
What motorhome is built on this chassis?
is this the original engine for this chassis or is the engine a replacement engine in a chassis that has more miles on it?
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Hotshot
Joined: Jan 2004
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From: St Louis
The 1999 F53 is the same power-train as used on the F-Super Duty.
For a runaway throttle, only two things come to mind: 1) Accidental application of the pedal (hard to believe but it can happen), perhaps due to a floor mat or 2) uncommanded application of the speed control servo. There's no electronic throttle body or other electrical or electronic control of the throttle.
For what little it's worth, I don't recall any previous threads on these SD gassers that reported this issue. Maybe someone else has...
For a runaway throttle, only two things come to mind: 1) Accidental application of the pedal (hard to believe but it can happen), perhaps due to a floor mat or 2) uncommanded application of the speed control servo. There's no electronic throttle body or other electrical or electronic control of the throttle.
For what little it's worth, I don't recall any previous threads on these SD gassers that reported this issue. Maybe someone else has...
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7th Gear
Joined: Jun 2023
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Thanks for the help! The RV is a 2000 Georgia Boy that was built on a 1999 Ford F-53 chassis. The engine has never been swapped out. I purchased it with 14000 miles a few years ago. I have no idea what RPM it revved to, but it was enough to cause it to start to lurch into the intersection while I was stomping on the break. The speed control servo sounds like a possibility. I should have it back here this afternoon so I will be able to check some of these things out.
FTE Community Team
Joined: Jan 2019
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I'd be amazed if this happened while stopped. It won't engage below like 30MPH. I can't imagine a circumstance that would have it engage at a dead stop without "Road Warrior" types of modifications to the vehicle.
FTE Community Team
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7th Gear
Joined: Jun 2023
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I have had the RV back for a couple days. I have ruled out the floor mat (there is none), there is also no electric throttle. I don't think that my foot was on both the break and the throttle because I had already come to a stop when it started revving. My thinking at this point is that has to be the cruise control somehow. I don't recall ever using it, so I am not sure if it even works. I did see a recall that looks like it covers my vehicle - the speed control deactivation switch may get contaminated with break fluid. Still grasping at straws here! I guess that I could disable the cruise control if it is suspect.
Hotshot
Joined: Jan 2004
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From: St Louis
I did see a recall that looks like it covers my vehicle - the speed control deactivation switch may get contaminated with break fluid.
You can disconnect the servo cable from the throttle to completely disable the throttle control by the speed control.
With the vehicle fully braked, the engine RPMs should be limited to about 1900-2300 RPMS, the torque converter's stall speed.