Intermitant no start and dies while driving
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From: Tucson AZ
Intermitant no start and dies while driving
Hey folks, Forums been a real help solving problems. And I have read through multiple posts on this current problem but none really nails mine.
1990 F350 460 Auto 4x4
Started dying while driving on freeway but would refire itself, I'm assuming because the convertor was locked. Then it started taking a long time to start while cranking. Now its dying on the freeway and is allmost impossible to get it to refire using the starter. Also the no fire while cranking has gotten much worse.
I have 37 pounds of fuel pressure(at the rail) while cranking, replaced the module, fires on starting fluid. Replaced the EEC relay and Fuel pump relay.
Its a intermitant problem but there is a sort of rythem to it it seems to die on the freeway at about the same driving distance. And once it dies once it really seems to be fine untill it sits awhile. Then the no start kicks in.
So what do ya think? I allready know its possesed
1990 F350 460 Auto 4x4
Started dying while driving on freeway but would refire itself, I'm assuming because the convertor was locked. Then it started taking a long time to start while cranking. Now its dying on the freeway and is allmost impossible to get it to refire using the starter. Also the no fire while cranking has gotten much worse.
I have 37 pounds of fuel pressure(at the rail) while cranking, replaced the module, fires on starting fluid. Replaced the EEC relay and Fuel pump relay.
Its a intermitant problem but there is a sort of rythem to it it seems to die on the freeway at about the same driving distance. And once it dies once it really seems to be fine untill it sits awhile. Then the no start kicks in.
So what do ya think? I allready know its possesed
Posting Guru
Joined: Jun 2004
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From: Central NY
Please post if you have pulled any codes. I think you need to pull codes before it has the problem and during the problem to help isolate.
Clean up all your grounds while you can as bad grounds can cause alot of flakey problems too. Check your battery cables, if theres any sign of corrosion then replace them.
Since it fires up on starting fluid the problem is fuel delivery into the cylinders or timing. I think you can handle setting the baseline timing.
Clean up all your grounds while you can as bad grounds can cause alot of flakey problems too. Check your battery cables, if theres any sign of corrosion then replace them.
Since it fires up on starting fluid the problem is fuel delivery into the cylinders or timing. I think you can handle setting the baseline timing.
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From: Tucson AZ
The thing that throws me is it doesn't happen every day. But when it starts happening it happens for a while and goes away. I'm cking the cables and some connections tonight, I have read in some other threads about the ecm ground by the battery. Its almost like its temp related usually happens in the first 5-10 minutes of driving if it starts first try. If it doesn't start and I finally get it going it doesn't seem to die while driving.
One thing I haven't checked yet (cause I really don't know how) is if the injectors are firing while its having one of its fits
One thing I haven't checked yet (cause I really don't know how) is if the injectors are firing while its having one of its fits
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From: Tucson AZ
Originally Posted by Popa Tim
Please post if you have pulled any codes. I think you need to pull codes before it has the problem and during the problem to help isolate.
Clean up all your grounds while you can as bad grounds can cause alot of flakey problems too. Check your battery cables, if theres any sign of corrosion then replace them.
Since it fires up on starting fluid the problem is fuel delivery into the cylinders or timing. I think you can handle setting the baseline timing.
Clean up all your grounds while you can as bad grounds can cause alot of flakey problems too. Check your battery cables, if theres any sign of corrosion then replace them.
Since it fires up on starting fluid the problem is fuel delivery into the cylinders or timing. I think you can handle setting the baseline timing.
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Joined: Jun 2004
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From: Central NY
visit fordfuelinjection.com for how to pull codes with a jumperwire, or get an odb1 code reader from a parts store for about $30. Fordfuelinjection is a great site with lots of info.
If the check engine light is coming on then it should have stored a code. It might be a vac line too, that opens only when the wind is blowing the right direction. I had that happen during the winter and I saw it coming when the heater fan switched to defrost from vent. The switching mech runs off vacuum and defaults to defrost if you loose vacuum....
But get them grounds cleaned. there are quite a few and worth doing every year.
Popa Tim
If the check engine light is coming on then it should have stored a code. It might be a vac line too, that opens only when the wind is blowing the right direction. I had that happen during the winter and I saw it coming when the heater fan switched to defrost from vent. The switching mech runs off vacuum and defaults to defrost if you loose vacuum....
But get them grounds cleaned. there are quite a few and worth doing every year.
Popa Tim
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I've got a '92 F250 F.I. 460 auto 4x4 that does approximately the same thing, but mostly in the hot summer months. My truck will give me a "Check Engine" light before it begins to loss power then stalls out completely. It seems like it is running out of fuel when I know there is plenty in the tanks. Switching tanks does not seem to help. If I let it set (cool?) for approximately 20/30 minutes, and it starts right up again. This stalling cycle will usually begin after drivng some distance then having to slow down for a small town on a hot summer day. However, lately I have been getting a "Check Engine" light while simply cruising along at the Interstate speed limit. There were no noticiable problems with the truck this past winter but I am getting prepared for real problems this summer. Right now I'm looking at cleaning the MAF sensor, if I can ever locate it on this truck. The truck was extremely dusty when I bought it two summers ago and the former owner did not seem to be too mechanically-inclined.
I would be very interested if you get your problem worked out.
I would be very interested if you get your problem worked out.
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Posting Guru
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From: Central NY
Hey West_Tex,
I don't think Ford ever put Mass Air on the 460, which would explain why you can't find the sensor :-)
The same pull codes recommendation goes for you too.
(hey, its free)
Cheers,
Popa Tim
I don't think Ford ever put Mass Air on the 460, which would explain why you can't find the sensor :-)
The same pull codes recommendation goes for you too.
(hey, its free)
Cheers,
Popa Tim
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From: Tucson AZ
Well while leaving this evening from work it died while idling in the parking lot. So I went and got the fuel pressure gauge and with key on it held around 35 psi. and about the same while cranking but the injectors are not firing while cranking. When you turn the key on you can feel the injectors click but not while cranking 
Well it magically decided to start after about 20 mnutes and I headed home. Got about a mile down the road and it died again 
in traffic trying to get it to fire and nothing. Couple of guys help me push it out of the way, no easy task on a f350 crew cab 4x4. I was tell them about the prob and how it would probably would start right up and BINGO thing fires right up and ran fine all the way home and started right up at a beer stop.
I'm taking a match outside and burning it
Well it magically decided to start after about 20 mnutes and I headed home. Got about a mile down the road and it died again in traffic trying to get it to fire and nothing. Couple of guys help me push it out of the way, no easy task on a f350 crew cab 4x4. I was tell them about the prob and how it would probably would start right up and BINGO thing fires right up and ran fine all the way home and started right up at a beer stop. I'm taking a match outside and burning it
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From: Central NY
I'll take it off your hands and save ya the price of the match 
Still go forward with cleaning the grounds. I think the computer shuts off the injector pulse if it doesn't see the PIP signal from the distributor, and since this signal is small, a bad ground can cause noise and the computer won't be able to see it.
It took some searching but I verified what I just said. So if the ground cleaning doesn't fix it then next step would be to borrow another distributor if you can.
Its quite common for the TFI module to go if its mounted on the Dist too. I don't know if a rebuilt Dist comes with the TFI, but if it does its only like $20 more than the TFI alone and will have a PIP in it too, save you more troubleshooting.
Also the wiring here is sheilded and sometimes the shielding peirces/shorts the wiring, so look it over.
I wish to credit fefarms for the PIP info :-)
His post is here for interesting reading.
https://www.ford-trucks.com/forums/s...04#post2571104
Cheers,
Popa Tim
Still go forward with cleaning the grounds. I think the computer shuts off the injector pulse if it doesn't see the PIP signal from the distributor, and since this signal is small, a bad ground can cause noise and the computer won't be able to see it.
It took some searching but I verified what I just said. So if the ground cleaning doesn't fix it then next step would be to borrow another distributor if you can.
Its quite common for the TFI module to go if its mounted on the Dist too. I don't know if a rebuilt Dist comes with the TFI, but if it does its only like $20 more than the TFI alone and will have a PIP in it too, save you more troubleshooting.
Also the wiring here is sheilded and sometimes the shielding peirces/shorts the wiring, so look it over.
I wish to credit fefarms for the PIP info :-)
His post is here for interesting reading.
https://www.ford-trucks.com/forums/s...04#post2571104
Cheers,
Popa Tim
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From: N. Gwinnett Co. Georgia
Virtual plethora of information!
Way to go PT. After correcting the electrical issues, I'd run a can of Seafoam through it to clean the injectors and intake system. It's amazing how much an old goat (me, not you Tim, old goat part, I mean) can absorb just by reading these posts from the wizards. I have truly been humbled by the enormous amount of information available and the willingness to help on these boards! Well worth the price of admission.
Last edited by tex94F250; Apr 15, 2005 at 05:33 AM. Reason: Addtl. info.
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From: Tucson AZ
My TFI is mounted on a heat sink on the left fender well. Does the TFI generate the PIP or is there something in the Dizzy that sends that signal?
I cleaned a few grounds last that I could find and getting ready to give it another shot to work this morning.
I cleaned a few grounds last that I could find and getting ready to give it another shot to work this morning.