Hello
I know this probably has been discussed before, but my 89 F350 auto 7.3 has just developed an annoying stalling at idle. It runs fine otherwise except for that fuel “knocking” sound. I replaced the fuel filter with a wix and did the overnight atf soak to no avail. I havent touched the glow plugs or injection pump. The guy that I got it off of replaced all injector lines. There is no visible leaks on the return lines. It looks like he replaced them. The manual lift pump was replaced with an electric edelbrock. It is a little green thing that he wired with a fuse and tied into the fuse block with an add a fuse. This is my first diesel and I really am getting frustrated having to restart at every stop sign. Hope someone can offer some insight!

 

Well I am relatively new to the E4OD which I assume is the trans in your truck and I would recommend buying the cheap $30 Innova ODB1 code reader so you can check for codes. Any chance your OD On/Off light is flashing when the stall occurs? I also have a fuel knock when starting cold first thing in the morning but I suspect it is related to the cheap-o injectors a PO installed. If yours knocks all the time you may have a deeper issue to look into. Does your tachometer seem to work or does it bounce around at all? With an E4OD you need a 100% functioning tach sensor. You can test yours with a multimeter--a new tach tests at about 2400Ohms if you measure across the two terminals in the connector. If your tach is accurate you should be at 650-700rpm at idle with the trans in Drive and foot on the brake. Does your Fuel Filter illuminate on the dash when the stall occurs? You may have a fuel restriction somewhere.

\I just looked up the pump you mentioned and hopefully it was installed on the frame rail--if not then that might be part of your problem. That pump is a pusher not a puller. Also the pump might be tired and worn out. Without a fuel pressure gauge somewhere it can be hard to diagnose this issue.

 

It is funny that you mentioned the tach. Sometimes the tach works and other times it doesnt. The seller told me that the tach doesnt work when it rains out and what he did was let it warm up then the tach worked. He told me that it wouldnt shift right unless the tach worked. It did this one tine since I bought the truck a month ago and hasnt done it since. The stalling issue just started. It is really annoying because the truck runs fine otherwise. I think he wasnt being truthful in what he claimed to replace. Before I go throwing parts at it, I want to target the easist stuff first. No, the water in fuel light hasnt come on. I havent seen it flash at all. Im not even sure it works. The OD light hasnt flashed either. I have several code scanners. I have an autel but it reads OBDII and I believe these trucks are OBDI. If its throwing codes, wont they be stored in the memory? I have to scan the memory tomorrow and see what I come up with. I was thinking of replacing the pump altogether with a better brand of electric pump. Any suggestions? Also the truck spews a boatload of white raw smelling diesel exhaust when it first starts and its very loud. Once it warms, it clears up. As I stated this is my first diesel so this is all kind of new to me.
Thank you

 

A properly functioning glow plug setup should make for smooth and easy starts without spewing a bunch of white/un-burnt fuel. They can be loud at first but do settle down quickly. The tach is very important with the E4OD. I've had to learn a bunch as this is my first automatic. As far as codes I have mostly just run a KOEO, Key On Engine Off test that is described in the Innova handbook. I hear some relays trigger and some other clicks but it's a quick test. This is also the first vehicle I've owned where I needed to pull codes so I am pretty unfamiliar with that aspect in general.
The E4OD needs input from the VSS, tachometer, Throttle Position Sensor(TPS), the MLPS(Manual Lever Position Sensor), ATF temp sensor, Barometric pressure sensor, and of course solid grounds and clean wiring across the board. The TPS setting is huge in terms of how the transmission shifts. I want my E4OD to last so I figured I needed to educate myself as much as possible. I found these links helpful. The trans may not be related to your stalling problem but it's still good to know some of it's potential quirks and how to get the most out of it.

https://www.thedieselstop.com/thread...e-e4od.240457/

https://www.ford-trucks.com/forums/1...ions-only.html

https://www.ford-trucks.com/forums/1...aper-clip.html

https://www.ford-trucks.com/articles...-transmission/

 

The tachometer in the cab could have a mechanical issue but if it's at all jumpy or irregular then it's worth checking the tach sensor. And although the trans computer does not affect the idle, the idle does affect the trans computer.