Notices
1999 - 2003 7.3L Power Stroke Diesel  
Sponsored by:
Sponsored by: DP Tuner

Running on Four Cylinders??

Thread Tools
 
Search this Thread
 
Old Jun 28, 2005 | 01:22 PM
  #1  
erl_berner's Avatar
erl_berner
Thread Starter
|
Junior User
Joined: Feb 2004
Posts: 74
Likes: 0
From: Santee, CA
Exclamation Running on Four Cylinders??

OK, anyone been out running just fine and all of the sudden the "Check Engine" light comes on and it feels as though the engine is running on four cylinders. First thing I did was jump out and drain some fuel to make sure it was not the old water issue. It will start up just fine and actually run normal for a few seconds but then kick into this "dance" mode and the light comes on.
Is this a CPS issue? I have it in to the dealer for a code read, just wanted to fore-arm myself for the $$ call...
 
Reply
Old Jun 28, 2005 | 01:26 PM
  #2  
Jacobv's Avatar
Jacobv
New User
Joined: Apr 2005
Posts: 23
Likes: 0
From: Tuscaloosa, alabama
My truck did this once when I got in to crank it. It did not run good for any amount of time just threw the check engine light at me and felt like about 4 cylinders. It was a wiring harness that had been burned into two pieces.
 
Reply
Old Jun 28, 2005 | 02:31 PM
  #3  
miker67's Avatar
miker67
Elder User
Joined: Oct 2004
Posts: 855
Likes: 5
If there is nothing visually wrong, start with the fuel filter. If you get a bad tank of fuel and the filter plugs, it can change performance from normal to horrendous in a very short period of time. Same symptoms rough running, no power, check engine light. Plus its cheap and easy and on most trucks needs to be done more often anyway.
 
Reply
Old Jun 28, 2005 | 02:36 PM
  #4  
l-m tech's Avatar
l-m tech
Posting Guru
Joined: Apr 2005
Posts: 1,035
Likes: 2
From: duncan oklahoma
make sure one of the injector connectors didnt come unplugged from the valve cover.
 
Reply
Old Jun 28, 2005 | 02:59 PM
  #5  
Big Red 00 F350's Avatar
Big Red 00 F350
Junior User
Joined: Mar 2005
Posts: 97
Likes: 0
From: Florida
I had an issue that sounds like it might be the same problem (truck would start fine and run for a few seconds or minute and then choke for a few seconds and almost die and then was OK) and after checking all the routine things including the wiring harness connector, and the wiring harness itself under the valve covers, I replaced the IDM (injection driver module) relay and that seemed to cure the issue. It cost about $8 at the dealer and is located in the under hood battery junction box on my truck.
 
Attached Images  
Reply
Old Jun 28, 2005 | 05:46 PM
  #6  
MDB's Avatar
MDB
Mountain Pass
20 Year Member
Joined: Feb 2002
Posts: 224
Likes: 1
From: Northern IN
On the older truck, such as your 95, I would almost gurantee that it is the valve cover injector wiring harnass. Do a search, and you will find lots of info.
 
Reply
Old Jun 30, 2005 | 02:23 PM
  #7  
erl_berner's Avatar
erl_berner
Thread Starter
|
Junior User
Joined: Feb 2004
Posts: 74
Likes: 0
From: Santee, CA
Thanks Guys

It's getting codes read in the morning, I'll let you know!!
 
Reply
Old Jun 30, 2005 | 02:33 PM
  #8  
MDB's Avatar
MDB
Mountain Pass
20 Year Member
Joined: Feb 2002
Posts: 224
Likes: 1
From: Northern IN
It is extreemly unlikely that the codes will tell you anything useful. There is no code that indicates bad wiring harnesses.
 
Reply
FTE Stories

Ford Trucks for Ford Truck Enthusiasts

story-0

10 Things Every Truck Owner NEEDS (2026 Edition)

 Michael S. Palmer
story-1

Rezvani's Latest Post-Apocalytic Monster Is a Ford F-150 Raptor Underneath

 Verdad Gallardo
story-2

Top 10 Most Expensive Ford Trucks Ever Sold on Bring a Trailer

 Joe Kucinski
story-3

2027 Ford Super Duty Buyer's Guide (Every Model, Engine, & Package)

 Brett Foote
story-4

Top 10 Ford Truck Tragedies

 Joe Kucinski
story-5

AEV FXL Super Duty - the Super Duty Raptor Ford Doesn't Make

 Brett Foote
story-6

Lobo Vs Lobo: Proof the F-150 Lobo Should Be Even Lower!

 Michael S. Palmer
story-7

Ford's 2001 Explorer Sportsman Concept Looks For a New Home

 Verdad Gallardo
story-8

10 Best Ford Truck Engines We Miss the Most!

 Joe Kucinski
story-9

2026 Shelby F-150 Off-Road: Better Than a Raptor R?

 Brett Foote
Old Jun 30, 2005 | 04:13 PM
  #9  
erl_berner's Avatar
erl_berner
Thread Starter
|
Junior User
Joined: Feb 2004
Posts: 74
Likes: 0
From: Santee, CA
Thanks,

I'll see what he says in the morning...
 
Reply
Old Jun 30, 2005 | 05:33 PM
  #10  
empiretc's Avatar
empiretc
Lead Driver
20 Year Member
Joined: Dec 2003
Posts: 5,250
Likes: 42
where is the idm in the 99+ trucks. i know in the older ones it is under the hood on drivers side. i have found the pcm on the driver kick panel. where is that sucker at??
 
Reply
Old Jul 5, 2005 | 01:57 AM
  #11  
soutthpaw's Avatar
soutthpaw
Laughing Gas
Joined: Jun 2005
Posts: 1,009
Likes: 1
From: Colorado
I agree with IM tech, However if one of the connectors became disconnected partiallly if will trigger an injector trouble OBD code
 
Reply
Old Jul 5, 2005 | 07:47 AM
  #12  
fordman102's Avatar
fordman102
Elder User
Joined: Feb 2003
Posts: 525
Likes: 0
From: New Braunfels TX
I had same problem. It was the injector harness under the vavle covers.My mechanic told me that they have a improved harness now. The clip on the older ones would break, which is what happened to mine. I had him replace both sides with the new, improved ones so I wouldn't end up on the side of the road. He worked at the ford dealership so I got parts at cost so that helped alot.
 
Reply
Old Jul 5, 2005 | 08:52 AM
  #13  
Medic 66's Avatar
Medic 66
Posting Guru
Joined: Mar 2005
Posts: 1,460
Likes: 0
I would lean toward wiring harness.........
 
Reply
Old Jul 5, 2005 | 11:04 AM
  #14  
erl_berner's Avatar
erl_berner
Thread Starter
|
Junior User
Joined: Feb 2004
Posts: 74
Likes: 0
From: Santee, CA
Fixed...!

Welp, I got the truck back on Friday. It ended up being a completely melted transitioin connector in the right valve cover, melted injector harness connector to match. So now it's two new valve gaskets, two new harnesses and 8 new glowplugs. Not sure why he did the glowplugs but as long as he was into it...
What is the life expectancy of a glowplug?
 
Reply
Old Jul 5, 2005 | 12:07 PM
  #15  
MDB's Avatar
MDB
Mountain Pass
20 Year Member
Joined: Feb 2002
Posts: 224
Likes: 1
From: Northern IN
Based on what I have heard, about 100k miles. Of course, they will last much longer if you install the GPR bypass mod to reduce the frequency of use.
 
Reply
Related Topics
Thread
Thread Starter
Forum
Replies
Last Post
dagomachining
1967 - 1972 F-100 & Larger F-Series Trucks
18
Dec 10, 2013 06:53 PM
EricGH
Aerostar
4
Nov 7, 2013 10:41 AM
crotalus258
Aerostar
15
Nov 26, 2012 02:35 PM
mchild
Fuel Injection, Carburetion & Fuel System
3
Oct 12, 2003 11:26 PM
jtrbovich2002
Electrical Systems/Wiring
5
Sep 13, 2002 12:24 AM




All times are GMT -5. The time now is 11:26 AM.

story-0
10 Things Every Truck Owner NEEDS (2026 Edition)

Slideshow: the best gifts for dads & grads

By Michael S. Palmer | 2026-06-02 21:45:57


VIEW MORE
story-1
Rezvani's Latest Post-Apocalytic Monster Is a Ford F-150 Raptor Underneath

Slideshow: Called the Fortress, the 850-horsepower pickup combines Raptor underpinnings with military-inspired features, survival equipment, and a starting price of $285,000.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-05-30 18:33:59


VIEW MORE
story-2
Top 10 Most Expensive Ford Trucks Ever Sold on Bring a Trailer

Slideshow: 10 most expensive Ford trucks ever sold on Bring a Trailer.

By Joe Kucinski | 2026-05-27 16:24:34


VIEW MORE
story-3
2027 Ford Super Duty Buyer's Guide (Every Model, Engine, & Package)

Here's everything that has changed for the latest model year.

By Brett Foote | 2026-05-27 16:17:28


VIEW MORE
story-4
Top 10 Ford Truck Tragedies

Slideshow: Top 10 Ford truck tragedies.

By Joe Kucinski | 2026-05-18 19:34:33


VIEW MORE
story-5
AEV FXL Super Duty - the Super Duty Raptor Ford Doesn't Make

And it might be even better than that.

By Brett Foote | 2026-05-18 19:26:42


VIEW MORE
story-6
Lobo Vs Lobo: Proof the F-150 Lobo Should Be Even Lower!

Slideshow: Does lowering an F-150 Lobo RUIN the ride quality?

By Michael S. Palmer | 2026-05-18 19:20:37


VIEW MORE
story-7
Ford's 2001 Explorer Sportsman Concept Looks For a New Home

Slideshow: Ford's bizarre fishing-themed Explorer concept has resurfaced after spending decades largely forgotten.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-05-12 18:07:46


VIEW MORE
story-8
10 Best Ford Truck Engines We Miss the Most!

Slideshow: The 10 best Ford truck engines we miss the most.

By Joe Kucinski | 2026-05-12 13:09:47


VIEW MORE
story-9
2026 Shelby F-150 Off-Road: Better Than a Raptor R?

Slideshow: first look at the 810 hp 2026 Shelby F-150 Off-Road!

By Brett Foote | 2026-05-12 12:50:07


VIEW MORE