Question about computer on 98 F150.
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From: Lexington Ohio
Question about computer on 98 F150.
Hello to everyone,
A buddy of mine has a 1998 F150 with the 4.6 L. with aproximately 80,000 miles. The truck has been rhandomly stalling with no codes in the computer. We have replaced almost everything that has been suggested on this and other sites. We have had it to several reputable shops hear in town, and no one can figure out what may be causing the stalling. My buddy tells me that now, he is losing all of the gages in his instrament cluster rhandomly, along with other rhandom electrical problems.
Could a computer that is going bad cause this? Is this common? How would we be able to tell if the computer is going south? I have not read of these issues with the F150's, but you fellows know more of them than we do!
If anyone has any suggestions as to where we may be able to find a solution,, your ideas are very much apreciated!!
Thank you in advance!!
Mark
A buddy of mine has a 1998 F150 with the 4.6 L. with aproximately 80,000 miles. The truck has been rhandomly stalling with no codes in the computer. We have replaced almost everything that has been suggested on this and other sites. We have had it to several reputable shops hear in town, and no one can figure out what may be causing the stalling. My buddy tells me that now, he is losing all of the gages in his instrament cluster rhandomly, along with other rhandom electrical problems.
Could a computer that is going bad cause this? Is this common? How would we be able to tell if the computer is going south? I have not read of these issues with the F150's, but you fellows know more of them than we do!
If anyone has any suggestions as to where we may be able to find a solution,, your ideas are very much apreciated!!
Thank you in advance!!
Mark
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Joined: Jan 2001
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From: Virginia
The computer deals usually with the powertrain only, not the instrument cluster.
What does he lose when this happens?
The engine only?
Anything else? You mentioned possibly guages?
Any lighting?
Will it crank over and start right back up?
or, do you have to let it sit for awhile?
What does he lose when this happens?
The engine only?
Anything else? You mentioned possibly guages?
Any lighting?
Will it crank over and start right back up?
or, do you have to let it sit for awhile?
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New User
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From: Lexington Ohio
Hello,
After the truck dies, it is able to start right back up. He loses the spedo, tach, and odometer!
This morn, he took the computer out of the truck, and it has no visible cracks, or other outside physical damage to it. They then cleaned all of the intake out again, along with the sugestions hear on this site!
A short list is. they cleaned the IAC, CPS, installed new sparkplugs and wires, installed new fuel filter, and a few other minor items I can not recall at the moment!!
Thank you for any help anyone can give us. We are fast running out of ideas of where this gremlin lives!!
Mark
After the truck dies, it is able to start right back up. He loses the spedo, tach, and odometer!
This morn, he took the computer out of the truck, and it has no visible cracks, or other outside physical damage to it. They then cleaned all of the intake out again, along with the sugestions hear on this site!
A short list is. they cleaned the IAC, CPS, installed new sparkplugs and wires, installed new fuel filter, and a few other minor items I can not recall at the moment!!
Thank you for any help anyone can give us. We are fast running out of ideas of where this gremlin lives!!
Mark
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Joined: Jan 2001
Posts: 56,984
Likes: 2,738
From: Virginia
The problem is, I am not too familiar with the later trucks. But I would start looking over near the power distribution portion of the electrical system. I think you have a bank of relays and a underhood fuse box? I would pull the relays out and check them. Some of these power the fuel pump, computer, and other things. A loose wire in this area could cause major problems. Also look for any small grounds hooked to the battery negative, and going over to the sheetmetal. See if any of these are loose or corroded. You may want to have the truck idling, while you tug and wiggle the electrical harness and some of the connections to see if you can make it cut off.
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From: Lexington Ohio
Hello,
Well, last night, we spent about 2-hours on the truck again! We quickly noticed that after we reinstalled the computer, the truck definitely is doing this much more frequently. The truck now will hardly stay running! It will only stay running about ten seconds before it stalls out ! We are also now getting a check engine light, which was never on until now. We now are getting a very strong smell of something electrical burning! We think that something is wrong with the computer! We think that the loss of the gages, may be a separate problem!
Where would we be able to pick up a used computer? We are thinking maybe out of a wrecked truck from a salvage yard?
Does anyone have any better places where we may be able to pick up a used comp. at a reasonable price?
Any sugestions are welcome!
And again, thankyou to everyone on hear who has given ideas! Your help is greatly apreciated!
Mark
Well, last night, we spent about 2-hours on the truck again! We quickly noticed that after we reinstalled the computer, the truck definitely is doing this much more frequently. The truck now will hardly stay running! It will only stay running about ten seconds before it stalls out ! We are also now getting a check engine light, which was never on until now. We now are getting a very strong smell of something electrical burning! We think that something is wrong with the computer! We think that the loss of the gages, may be a separate problem!
Where would we be able to pick up a used computer? We are thinking maybe out of a wrecked truck from a salvage yard?
Does anyone have any better places where we may be able to pick up a used comp. at a reasonable price?
Any sugestions are welcome!
And again, thankyou to everyone on hear who has given ideas! Your help is greatly apreciated!
Mark
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Joined: Jan 2001
Posts: 56,984
Likes: 2,738
From: Virginia
If you are getting a check engine light, jump on it and read the codes. You are definitely getting codes if the light is on. Also be careful and don't fall into the trap of making things worse than they were in the first place. I am not trying to insult anybody, but I myself, as well as other mechanics(most who won't admit it), while trying to fix something, you end up breaking something else.
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Traderjoe28
1987 - 1996 F150 & Larger F-Series Trucks
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