Wierd Engine Cutout Issue
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From: Larkspur, CO
Wierd Engine Cutout Issue
I posted something on this a while ago but thought I would start a new thread. My 2000 PST was cutting out intermittently, and I noticed after a while that it would only occur when it was raining. First thoughts (and advice from FTE) was that it might be the CPS. I had recently fitted a new CPS, but it was the aftermarket version so just to be sure I replaced it with the new "B" version from Ford (only $25 after all!). This gave me a little more confidence in not having the CPS issue anytime soon, but didn't fix this problem.
A little more investigation and some light rain showers leads me to this wierdness - the cutout ONLY happens when the wipers operate. I noticed this during recent showers when the wipers were not on full time operation. The ONLY time the engine cuts out is when the wipers kick on, but the cutout is intermittent also i.e. it doesn't happen EVERY time the wipers operate.
It's no more than an annoyance at this point as the engine comes right back after the hiccup, but I would like to fix it!
Any ideas???
A little more investigation and some light rain showers leads me to this wierdness - the cutout ONLY happens when the wipers operate. I noticed this during recent showers when the wipers were not on full time operation. The ONLY time the engine cuts out is when the wipers kick on, but the cutout is intermittent also i.e. it doesn't happen EVERY time the wipers operate.
It's no more than an annoyance at this point as the engine comes right back after the hiccup, but I would like to fix it!
Any ideas???
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Joined: Jul 2004
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From: Buckingham, IA
Have you checked the wiper mechanism possibly contacting wires passing near it? Didn't see any place on my pickup but didn't look at every part of the wiper mechanism. Possibly wires in the steering column have rubbed together and with the wipers working, the ignition is shorting out? Daughter had that with turn signals shorting out on a chevy. Was a major pain to find. Does it have the problem when it is wet and wipers working or dry and wipers on also ( to see if water has to be involved)?
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Joined: May 2001
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From: Cabot, Arkansas
A new cam sensor doesn't eliminate that as a source of the problem. It could still be the connector for the sensor. There are a mess of weatherpack connectors under the hood. I think it's likely that one of them isn't quite as weatherproof as it should be.
If it were me I would still be starting with the CMP plug as it is the most directly exposed to the water when the truck is on the road.
If it were me I would still be starting with the CMP plug as it is the most directly exposed to the water when the truck is on the road.
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Joined: Aug 2006
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Originally Posted by badger2196
I posted something on this a while ago but thought I would start a new thread. My 2000 PST was cutting out intermittently, and I noticed after a while that it would only occur when it was raining. First thoughts (and advice from FTE) was that it might be the CPS. I had recently fitted a new CPS, but it was the aftermarket version so just to be sure I replaced it with the new "B" version from Ford (only $25 after all!). This gave me a little more confidence in not having the CPS issue anytime soon, but didn't fix this problem.
A little more investigation and some light rain showers leads me to this wierdness - the cutout ONLY happens when the wipers operate. I noticed this during recent showers when the wipers were not on full time operation. The ONLY time the engine cuts out is when the wipers kick on, but the cutout is intermittent also i.e. it doesn't happen EVERY time the wipers operate.
It's no more than an annoyance at this point as the engine comes right back after the hiccup, but I would like to fix it!
Any ideas???
A little more investigation and some light rain showers leads me to this wierdness - the cutout ONLY happens when the wipers operate. I noticed this during recent showers when the wipers were not on full time operation. The ONLY time the engine cuts out is when the wipers kick on, but the cutout is intermittent also i.e. it doesn't happen EVERY time the wipers operate.
It's no more than an annoyance at this point as the engine comes right back after the hiccup, but I would like to fix it!
Any ideas???
Post Fiend
Joined: Mar 2007
Posts: 26,966
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From: Texas
Any other symptoms when the truck cuts out? Guages, lights, etc? I recently had a short fixed in a wiring harness that at first I thought was linked to the cruise control. It turned out to be I always had it on cruise when the wire grounded out.
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From: Larkspur, CO
Wierdness
Thanks for all of the replies. The batteries are pretty new, but I will have the alternator checked. The problems DOES occur when the wipers are running in the dry, so it would seem to point to a short somehwere huh?
The windshield has not been replaced since I have owned the truck, although it does need to be
I'll look for shorted wiring and see what I can come up with.
The windshield has not been replaced since I have owned the truck, although it does need to be
I'll look for shorted wiring and see what I can come up with.
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Joined: Aug 2004
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me too. my truck is doing the exact same thing. I replaced the cps. only happens with wipers on int. what kind of chip do you have?
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From: La La Land
The windshield motor is pretty "noisy", electrically, and could very-well be causing enough "hash" to interfere with the CPS's signal being correctly interpreted by the PCM. I'd put some kind of noise filter (Radio Shack CB radio section) as close to the motor in its supply wire as possible and see.
It's just what I'd do as a start to the investigation if it were mine.
Got an oscilloscope?
Pop
It's just what I'd do as a start to the investigation if it were mine.
Got an oscilloscope?
Pop
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Joined: Jan 2002
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From: La La Land
I think a weak ground in the motor circuit would cause the motor to run slower, but it wouldn't hurt to check.
I'm not sure if the square-wave signal from the CPS to the PCM is carried on shielded wires, but I would think so. I can't find the CPS or its wiring on my lo-rez CD. Maybe someone with a DVD can chime in here. An open ground in that shield would cause a lot of otherwise-shielded noise to ride on that signal, and may cause the PCM to "get lost".
But I would still go back to the source of the noise, the motor, to start the investigation.
Can the motor be heard in the AM radio tuned to a weak station?
Pop
I'm not sure if the square-wave signal from the CPS to the PCM is carried on shielded wires, but I would think so. I can't find the CPS or its wiring on my lo-rez CD. Maybe someone with a DVD can chime in here. An open ground in that shield would cause a lot of otherwise-shielded noise to ride on that signal, and may cause the PCM to "get lost".
But I would still go back to the source of the noise, the motor, to start the investigation.
Can the motor be heard in the AM radio tuned to a weak station?
Pop
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From: Larkspur, CO
Originally Posted by brianm
me too. my truck is doing the exact same thing. I replaced the cps. only happens with wipers on int. what kind of chip do you have?
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From: Larkspur, CO
Pop - I don't have an oscilloscope, but will try the noise suppressor approach this weekend.
I don't know about brianm, but I cannot hear the wiper motor at all in the radio (and I have some very weak AM stations to choose from).
brianm - glad to know I'm not alone in this!!
I don't know about brianm, but I cannot hear the wiper motor at all in the radio (and I have some very weak AM stations to choose from).
brianm - glad to know I'm not alone in this!!
Last edited by badger2196; Aug 29, 2007 at 01:52 PM. Reason: sp