I have a 1996 E150 with a 5.8L engine. For the past three years it has had an intermittent issue nobody has been able to diagnose or fix. The engine will stall after running for an extended period of time. Typically the stall occurs after running at highway speeds and coming back to an idle at a stop light or stop sign. After the problem occurs upon restart the engine idles rough and will stall again and again. The only way to get it to run is hold the brake and gas at the same time and start out at an extremely high rpm. To date I have replaced the EGR, EVP, IAC, and thouroughly cleaned the throttle body. I have also performed a complete tuneup including plugs, wires, and distributer cap and rotor. Unfortunately the problem still exists. Most recently I was able to obtain a code of P0385 which is a crankshaft position sensor code. Part is ordered but I am not to confident it will fix the issue. Any ideas would be greatly appreciated.

Thanks

 

Kind of sounds like an ignition module. Not sure what's on a 96, ignition-wise, but if the crank position sensor doesn't fix it, check into the module. I know on previous model years, that can go bad and not set a code.

 

I also have a '96 E150 with 351 that has the same problem. Seems like it is worse when weather is hot. Please post solution if you find it. I've had mine to dealer and to 2 independent shops, no problem could be found.

 

I did find the solution. It was a crankshaft position sensor. This is a $20 part and is located on the passenger side front of engine near the harmonic balancer.