intermitten dying/starting problem
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Elder User
Joined: Feb 2004
Posts: 851
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From: Longvalley, SD
intermitten dying/starting problem
I purchased a 78 f-50 with a 400 4 speed about a year ago and I am having problems with it dying then not starting lately. First time it happened I was pulling out of my driveway and it just died on me and would not start again. I kept trying it and if finally started after multiple tries. It will do this at any given time, sometimes will run fine all day, then it will die 5 times in one hour. Sometimes it will die driving down the highway then run turn back on a second later. I know it is an ignition related problem and have narrowed it down to either the distributor or ign module. The module had been replaced by previous owner right before I bought it so it is only about 1 year old. Could the mag pickup be causing this? Any thoughts or past experience would be appreciated.
More Turbo
Joined: Apr 2004
Posts: 736
Likes: 3
From: South East, Michigan
I believe your right on, it's either one of the two things mentioned, sounds like the ign. module to me. I've seen "new out of the box" parts bad before so, don't rule out the 1 year old ign. module. After market modules seem to give up the ghost quicker than OEM Ford modules. -Ed
New User
Joined: Jan 2008
Posts: 0
Likes: 24
You know this happened to me a few times last year.
You won't believe what the problem was:
a wire going to a connector.
Yep a simple little thing that costs nothing.
The wire entering the connector that went to the distributor was "hanging by a thread"
"Connections Corrode" and break down for contact.
Too many times this has happened to people and they spend hundred's of $$$$ replacing parts that don't need replacing.
Check all your wiring and inside the connections.
BTW, this happens a lot on 80's trucks & cars where is constant temp and humidity changes.
Corrosion corrosion corrosion
You won't believe what the problem was:
a wire going to a connector.
Yep a simple little thing that costs nothing.
The wire entering the connector that went to the distributor was "hanging by a thread"
"Connections Corrode" and break down for contact.
Too many times this has happened to people and they spend hundred's of $$$$ replacing parts that don't need replacing.
Check all your wiring and inside the connections.
BTW, this happens a lot on 80's trucks & cars where is constant temp and humidity changes.
Corrosion corrosion corrosion
Senior User
Joined: Feb 2006
Posts: 179
Likes: 0
Dealing with the same problem
Thompsen:
I'm dealing with the same symptoms on my '79 F150; I have a post listed within the last 24 hours describing it: https://www.ford-trucks.com/forums/5...-when-hot.html. I have located my problem at the wires that enter the distributor. The truck will only die when the engine compartment is warm. If I shake or move the wires when the truck is warm, it will die every time. The distributor was one of the last things I even considered because it was replaced about 6-8 months ago. Evidently, parts out of a box can be faulty from the start. I have a rebuilt distributor that I need to switch out this weekend. Hopefully this one will have good wiring in it. Try moving the wiring around as I described when it's warmed up to see if it dies on you. Post back your results please. Good luck!!
I'm dealing with the same symptoms on my '79 F150; I have a post listed within the last 24 hours describing it: https://www.ford-trucks.com/forums/5...-when-hot.html. I have located my problem at the wires that enter the distributor. The truck will only die when the engine compartment is warm. If I shake or move the wires when the truck is warm, it will die every time. The distributor was one of the last things I even considered because it was replaced about 6-8 months ago. Evidently, parts out of a box can be faulty from the start. I have a rebuilt distributor that I need to switch out this weekend. Hopefully this one will have good wiring in it. Try moving the wiring around as I described when it's warmed up to see if it dies on you. Post back your results please. Good luck!!
Cross-Country
Joined: Nov 2006
Posts: 75
Likes: 0
From: Ponchatoula, LA.
When mine did this it was the ignition module, but could be a fualty coil getting hot. They make a lot of cheap ignition modules nowadays. you may have to replace yours again.
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Elder User
Joined: Feb 2004
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From: Longvalley, SD
I probably wont get at it for awhile because it is at the ranch right now. I tried moving some wires around to see if I had a short but could not find anything. I'm not sure if I tried the dizzy wires though. My truck will quit whether it is warm or not. Sometimes it will die 2 minutes after starting...sometimes not die for 50 miles of driving or more??? I will post results when I get it figured out.
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Senior User
Joined: Jul 2006
Posts: 100
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From: Western Kentucky
The same thing is happening to me with my 76 F250. I feel the engine shut off & then come right back on goiing down the road sometimes. I also have the problem of not starting until 20 - 30 minutes later like something is getting hot. I was stuck on a wildeness trail at Land Between the Lakes National reserve and it quit. I thought I was going for a 5-6 mile hike. After 20 minutes or so, it strarted right up and ran fine for 4 days after before doing it again last night.
I'm going to check the wires and module. I have a module on another truck to try out. It's nice to hear everyones tips and suggestions.
Thanks
I'm going to check the wires and module. I have a module on another truck to try out. It's nice to hear everyones tips and suggestions.
Thanks
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