Only Runs With Starter Engaged
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From: Destin/Ft. Walton Beach,
Only Runs With Starter Engaged
Well, this is a problem with a friend's truck. It's a 90 F150 XLT Lariat, with a 5.0.
He left his lights on today, and ran his battery down a little. When he noticed, he shut the lights off, but didn't try to start the truck. When it was time to go home from work, the truck started, but he could tell the battery was weak. Then about two blocks from work, his truck died. It will start back up, but stalls as soon as the key is released from the start positon. I've used the search feature, but had no luck in finding a thread with a similar situation. I'm thinking solenoid, but my friend is a marine machanic, and he seems to think I'm wrong. Anybody got the answer? I sure would appreciate some help.
He left his lights on today, and ran his battery down a little. When he noticed, he shut the lights off, but didn't try to start the truck. When it was time to go home from work, the truck started, but he could tell the battery was weak. Then about two blocks from work, his truck died. It will start back up, but stalls as soon as the key is released from the start positon. I've used the search feature, but had no luck in finding a thread with a similar situation. I'm thinking solenoid, but my friend is a marine machanic, and he seems to think I'm wrong. Anybody got the answer? I sure would appreciate some help.
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Joined: Dec 2003
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From: Eastern Ohio
Somehow, he has lost voltage with the key in the run position. Possible causes include a bad ign switch, and a broken wire or bad connector somewhere. I have a 90 EB Bronc that had the same thing happen last weekend. Going to break out the test lite next weekend and start searching wires down.
Laughing Gas
Joined: Jun 2003
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From: Chino, California
The starter solenoid has nothing to do with the vehicle running after it has started. Once the starter engages, and the key is released after the engine starts, the solenoid is off. If the stater is spinning the solenoid is good.
The problem sounds more like you may have a fuel pump shutting down after the key switch is released to the 'run' postion.
Turn the ignition key to the 'run' position and see if you can hear the fuel pump spin-up
Are you sure he only left the light switch on and not the ignition switch too?
Also, when you turn the key switch to the run position, check to see if the gauges light up. If they do not, you may have a bad contact on the switch.
Make sure he did not do any work on the electrical system prior to this problem.
The problem sounds more like you may have a fuel pump shutting down after the key switch is released to the 'run' postion.
Turn the ignition key to the 'run' position and see if you can hear the fuel pump spin-up
Are you sure he only left the light switch on and not the ignition switch too?
Also, when you turn the key switch to the run position, check to see if the gauges light up. If they do not, you may have a bad contact on the switch.
Make sure he did not do any work on the electrical system prior to this problem.
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From: Destin/Ft. Walton Beach,
Everything about the truck is as I stated. There has never been any electrical work done. The truck is exactly as it was when it came off the lot when new. Except for the problem it now has, of course.
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From: Eastern Ohio
Possibly could be the TFI module. Thats what the problem was with mine. On the harness to the TFI there are 2 red wires, one w/a green stripe and one w/ a blue stripe (check your wiring diagram to make sure they are the same on your model) One should be hot all the time with the key on and the other should go hot when you hit the starter. If they are getting juice when they should and it will only run with the starter engaged, it's most likely the TFI
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