I'll try to keep it as short as possible and still tell what's going on. I have a 99 F-250 4x4 7.3L Automatic SD. This morning I was going to work running about 70 mph on the interstate. All of a sudden the truck started shaking like it was about to come apart. The service engine soon light came on and then the engine shut off. I stopped and turned the key off and then back on. The SES light went off and it cranked back up. I went about another 1/4 mile and it did it again. I wasn't sure what it was so I had it towed home. When I got home I checked all the fluids and everything looked fine. I topped off the oil (about 1 quart low) and cranked it back up. No lights came on and everything looked ok. I let it warm up for about 5 or 10 minutes and then started driving it around the block. I drove a couple of miles and it just died. No SES light came on. It did this about 3 more times before I got to the auto parts store. They tried to pull a code, but didn't get anything. It was about 25* this morning, so I got some fuel additive in case the fuel was gelling or had water in it. It did the same thing after that also. I'm about to go change the fuel filter, but was wondering if anyone had any suggestion or might have an idea as to what the problem might be. I am a new user, so any help would be greatly appreciated. I need to get to work tomorrow and this is my only vehicle. Thanks.

 

Sounds like a CPS (camshaft postioning sensor) to me.

 

Yep, Sounds like the ol' CPS died to me too. On your 99, a good way to tell is after it dies, look at the tach while cranking. If it does not show any movement, it's the CPS. Once the engine fires, you will once again have tach movement.

 

Welcome to FTE GV3rd.
Sounds like you have a failing CPS (Camshaft Position Sensor). I suggest doing a search on it, it is a VERY common failure and there are a lot of posts.
Some food for thought:
https://www.ford-trucks.com/forums/s...d.php?t=443804

 

I'll check that and see it that is happening. Thanks for the response.

 

Wow, three posts happening while I was looking for the blue CPS thread. Good work gentlemen.

 

I have to say,its just cause of what i have learned here.Otherwise i would have never knowen.
FTE rules

 

If you can get the codes, they will most likely be P0340 and/or P0344. That would be a definite indication of a bad CPS.

 

The only place I can find one today is NAPA and they want $213 for it. This seems high, but I guess I have to get it. It has warmed up above freezing and I changed the fuel filter. I drove around for a long time and thought it was better, but almost didn't make it home. I had to crank it about 5 times after it died the second time to get it to crank. I read the thread about the blue one. Am I wasting my time and money going to NAPA today?

 

In a word....yes, unless you absolutely have to have one today. Any local International dealer and several of our sponsoring vendors here carry replacement cam sensors for around $100. The only reason for paying twice that much for one is if you will lose more than that by not having the truck.

 

$213 for a cam sensor? That is even higher than dealer list price.

 

I'm having a similar problem with my 2000 Excursion. The two Ford dealers I called here in the San Francisco Bay Area each quoted $187.50 for the Ford CPS. The local International dealer quoted $150 for the Blue CPS. International's fuel filter was about $10 less than the Ford filter. Regards, steven

 

I just got the blue CPS today at the local International dealer. It cost $120.04 tax included. I just go done installing it and driving it. I drove it around for about 25 minutes, maybe 10 or 15 mile. Everything seems to be doing fine, so I will try and drive it to work tomorrow. It didn't make it more than 2 miles yesterday before it would die. Thanks to all that helped me find the problem. You guys are awesome.