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1980 - 1986 Bullnose F100, F150 & Larger F-Series Trucks Discuss the Early Eighties Bullnose Ford Truck

Ignition problems

Old Dec 21, 2007 | 09:21 AM
  #1  
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From: Barberton, ohio - COLD!!!
Exclamation Ignition problems

Allright.... Got a haynes book, replaced coil, plugs, wired, timing gear, and many other parts of ignition system....

Problem... well it starts only when it feels like it, cold or hot, weather seems to have no effect, wires are seemingly intact, but it also stalls randomly, got gas and spark all the time any ideas?

Just got another 84 f150 with the I6, auto tranny and it just wont always stay running.... The last time this happened yesterday drove about 60 miles no issues misses, completely normal, shut it off for 40 minutes, didnt restart till this morning just turned the key and it ran.... I restarted it several times no issues... Let it come up to normal temp, shut it off, restarted fine...

What the fork is happening? Anyone with an idea? Im lost!!!!! Is this a comp malfunction? Bad sensor? Ideas please????
 
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Old Dec 21, 2007 | 10:11 AM
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Have you replaced the ignition module that hangs off the distributor? This is a known weak spot. Take it off go get another one. Even if it turns out to be good, you always need to carry a spare as long as you have the original distributor Cheap insurance. also get eh appropriate "tool" used to replace the module. If you get a module from Checker/Schuck/Kragen I think they have a five year warranty on it as long as you keep the receipt.

84 F150 300 Six, T18, 3.55 diff, 232,000 miles one owner 7 or 8 burned up modules in its life
 
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Old Dec 22, 2007 | 05:40 AM
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Yep i have replaced the icm, it was kinda caroded, but its still works... Someone else suggested checking the ignition cylinder (which is fine) Im not really sure what else to look for? but i drove it yesterday about an hour, small running some highway (about 20 min) and city the rest... this morning went to clean the frost to leave, natta...
 
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Old Dec 22, 2007 | 08:35 AM
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got gas and spark all the time
It should run if this is true. I would wire a temporary small light to the coil + wire, so you can monitor the voltage to the coil. This is an intermittent problem, so it's not going to be easy to find.
 
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Old Dec 30, 2007 | 09:11 AM
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I just dont understand whats going on, it was fine for almost a week till lastnight, went to leave home and natta for about 20 minutes.... disconnected the battery( no complete idea why just sounded good) fired right up... wtf?
 
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Old Dec 30, 2007 | 01:42 PM
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You are going to have to do some testing.
 
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Old Dec 30, 2007 | 06:52 PM
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I had similar problem with my '81/300L6. Drove me crazy for some time too. Finally one day I started pulling on wiring to coil and found my problem. When the harness was made, the wire-terminals were mashed to the point that only a few strands were carrying current. I intalled new terminals......no problems since 1982!
 
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Old Jan 1, 2008 | 11:40 AM
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From: Barberton, ohio - COLD!!!
well the previous owner never had a problem with it, he did inform me though that the gas tank had a leak, which i noticed a few days after buying the truck... i have a replacement on the way...

as far as wiring goes seems allright, its not brital or craked, im looking for some grounding issues, maybe something else i guess a short maybe?
 
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Old Jan 1, 2008 | 04:50 PM
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Another problem I had comes to mind. Similar behaviour as your truck. Overheating module. Mine was mounted 'flat' directly to the engine compartment fender well. There was no air-circulation underneath the module which cause it to overheat. Once the module cooled down, it was operational again. I solved this by mounting the module ear-tabs on a bunch of washers so air could circulate under the module. After that 'fix', no problem again from the module. Check under the module body for any signs of leaking/sagging epoxy-filler....a sure sign of overheating. Hope this helps.
 
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Old Jan 1, 2008 | 07:43 PM
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I've seen this on a Ford, a Camarro, and a Toyota. The Ford and Camaro both had wires that were broken under the plastic sleeves at the connector of a small wire running to the coil. Dave S knows what I'm talkin' 'bout. Recently, I had the same problem with my '94 Toyota, but it was a large secondary wire right at the positive battery terminal, but it was broken right under the plastic sleeve. Might not be your problem this time but it's the FIRST place I'd look.
 
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Old Jan 1, 2008 | 09:48 PM
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From: Barberton, ohio - COLD!!!
well, as far as an overheating module, it can be cold (like it is now at 28 degrees, or at 50) makes no difference.... its just bipolar!!! sometimes its fine for a week, drive for an hour or 2 straight zero problems, other days i start it up get down the street a few miles and try and get on a highway and it stalls, no restart...

Secondly, as far as splits in wires go im checking out wires for solinoids, primary and secondy battery connections, cracks, melted plastic.... Anything unusual

Thanks for the help guys, Just wish the truck was as cooperative!!!
 
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