Truck keeps dying
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2nd Gear
Joined: Nov 2024
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Truck keeps dying
Hi I have a 81 f150 with a 4.9 manual 4x4, I bought it and drove it a hour home with no problems. Wanted to freshen up some things so I put a new fuel pump(mechanical) in it, coil, cap/ rotor, spark plugs valve cover gasket, carb rebuild, cleaned the grease off the motor, did a oil change and air filter/breathers. All the smog stuff on it has been deleted or plugged. I took it for a drive around the block after made it a couple laps and it died my friend recommended to pull the icm and put a new one in so I did a couple hours later and it started drove it home. I’ve been driving it 5-10 minutes away here and there no problems besides having to turn the key slightly back after it starts to get the accessories to work but always started up. Today I drove it to work and before I hit a stop light I downshifted to second and it died on me and won’t start again. Any ideas on what’s going on?
Lead Driver
Joined: Jun 2013
Posts: 5,667
Likes: 1,159
From: Tolland, CT
I think it could be the ignition switch, seeing as you said you had to move the key back...
One of the experts will chime in soon.
Oh, welcome to the Forum, you have come to the right place. There is a thread here recently where they are talking about a funky ignition switch, but that was on the tilt steering wheel. Thinking more about it.
One of the experts will chime in soon.
Oh, welcome to the Forum, you have come to the right place. There is a thread here recently where they are talking about a funky ignition switch, but that was on the tilt steering wheel. Thinking more about it.
Lead Driver
Joined: Nov 2013
Posts: 7,174
Likes: 1,174
You may have more than one active fault. Don't be discouraged if you find and fix one, only to have the problem continue.
For the ignition switch, here's a very simple method to test it:
https://www.ford-trucks.com/forums/1...on-switch.html
Please note the ignition switch is actually 4 separate switches (or poles) connected to operate in unison. The link above explains how to test each pole individually. If your accessories don't work until you wiggle the switch, that points to at least one pole being bad. There's a good chance the other poles are acting up, including the one that powers the ignition system. More details at the link above.
Thread Starter
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2nd Gear
Joined: Nov 2024
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Hi I have a 81 f150 with a 4.9 manual 4x4, I bought it and drove it a hour home with no problems. Wanted to freshen up some things so I put a new fuel pump(mechanical) in it, coil, cap/ rotor, spark plugs valve cover gasket, carb rebuild, cleaned the grease off the motor, did a oil change and air filter/breathers. All the smog stuff on it has been deleted or plugged. I took it for a drive around the block after made it a couple laps and it died my friend recommended to pull the icm and put a new one in so I did a couple hours later and it started drove it home. I’ve been driving it 5-10 minutes away here and there no problems besides having to turn the key slightly back after it starts to get the accessories to work but always started up. Today I drove it to work and before I hit a stop light I downshifted to second and it died on me and won’t start again. Any ideas on what’s going on?
Lead Driver
Joined: Nov 2013
Posts: 7,174
Likes: 1,174
So I'm not sure exactly what is happening with your new truck, but some basic troubleshooting may be in order, such as checking for fuel and spark.
Lead Driver
Joined: Jun 2013
Posts: 5,667
Likes: 1,159
From: Tolland, CT
But as mentioned above, you might want to check all connections for the starter and dizzy, and ignition wires under the hood to make sure they are not corroded.
I had to replace my coil wires a few years back. They were really corroded.
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From: Virginia
All the above are guesses. Good guesses, but you need to narrow it down by doing some troubleshooting on the side of the road when it quits on you. The next time it quits and won't start, pull the aircleaner off, and look down the carb throat while you move the throttle to wide open. You should see a strong stream of fuel squirt into the engine. If not, you have a fuel problem. If you do have fuel, then you most likely have a spark problem. Two major systems. Once you get on the right one, you can go down that path and cut your guesses in half.
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From: Angier, NC
I am with DaveF you need to know is it fuel or spark the cause?
Then you know what way you need to look for a fix.
Now Max is on to something about turning the key back and Karl posted how to check it but I would just replace it with a top of the line new one.
Think you said you washed the engine bay?
I had an issues after I washed mine and it would just die, shut off like the key was turned off.
Yes a bad ICM can do that but I know mine was good as I replaced it years before and never had any issues till then.
I found water got into a plug to the ICM. I cleaned both plugs to the ICM and the coil horse shoe connector and have not had issues since.
Dave ----
Then you know what way you need to look for a fix.
Now Max is on to something about turning the key back and Karl posted how to check it but I would just replace it with a top of the line new one.
Think you said you washed the engine bay?
I had an issues after I washed mine and it would just die, shut off like the key was turned off.
Yes a bad ICM can do that but I know mine was good as I replaced it years before and never had any issues till then.
I found water got into a plug to the ICM. I cleaned both plugs to the ICM and the coil horse shoe connector and have not had issues since.
Dave ----
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