Ok, I'm having a *very* intermittent problem with my 97 350. From reading the posts here, I want to say it's the CPS, but I'm not so sure.

A lot of the posts describe a new CPS curing a quick engine kill/start problem, but mine is slightly different.

Usually, it happens at highway speeds. I'll be cruising down the highway, and it will just start losing power and shaking like crazy. The first time it happened, after it slowed to like 40mph, I let off the fuel and then punched it, and it came back to life.

Another time, my uncle was driving (I wasn't there) and he described almost the same thing.

The worst case - I had been driving highway for about 2 hours between 70-75. Pulled off onto a local road for about 20 mins, then back on another highway. Accerlerating up the ramp, all was good until the top. The truck just wouldn't go. Starting shaking, and even with the pedal mashed, slowly lost speed and RPMs. I had to pull over on the shoulder, and before I could come to a complete stop, it stalled.

I hope it's a CPS problem, because I just ordered 2 new ones (I needed one for the glove box anyway), but in my extremely uneducated opinion of diesel engines, this sounds more like a fuel delivery problem to me.

The three times I detailed here are the only times this has happened and it was over a 3-4 month period.

Thanks!
Jeff

 

Since you have a new CPS on the way and you are going to change it out, we'll look at the easy stuff first. Change the fuel filter if you have not already, and check for trash/slime in the filter housing. If your oil is old, change it and the filter, old oil will cause a host of problems. Check the connection on your ICP and IPR. Check the fuel pressure on the FPR at the schrader valve, should be 40-50 at idle. You might want to pull the FPR and clean the screen. Someone else will have other ideas to help you I'm sure. Keep us posted and of all of the poeple on this site, you are bound to solve the problem.

 

I knew I should have mentioned that. I changed the fuel filter after the first time. Housing looked clean. Oil changed recently with a baldwin filter.

I'll check that other stuff tonight. Always mean to check the FPR screen but always forget.

thanks.

 

sounds like some bad uvc harnesses, gasket or outer plug. i would look at those. sounds like sometimes its shorting out making it not run on all 8. good luck

 

I agree, check the harness ends.

 

Well, don't have time to pull the valve covers tonight, but I did look at the outer plugs. The actual terminals looked good - nice and shiny. However, the forward driver-side had oil on it and while I was pulling the rear one, the plastic retainer clip broke. Doh!

Any ideas for a quick fix and where I can get a new plug? What about the oil on the forward driver-side plug. What does that mean?

Thanks,
Jeff

 

I hate to say it but.......
Sounds like what a bad IDM feels like. Cuts out one bank or the othes .. only runs on 4 cylinders.

 

In reference to the new plug, check out 1997F350's galleries. He has been kind enough to post pictures & part numbers for the pins, plug & kit.