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I have the same problem. Mine starts off with a fluttering volt meter. When this starts I know that if I hit the brake or turn signal or just about anything electrical, the engine or radio or whatever to cycle on/off.
I've done like you and replaced ignition switch, ignition cylinder, voltage regulator, cleaned all grounds, etc. and the problem doesnt' go away. The last thing I did was replace the alternator with one from the salvage yard. When I plugged the plugs into the alternator I dabbed a little contact paste onto each contact. It happens much less often now but it will occasionally still do it. I'm thinking that something isn't making good contact somewhere. Only because replacing the alternator didn't fix it and now it's less frequent and I'm guessing that's due to the contact paste. Purely a guess though.
I was reading the Ford shop manual about the alternator and in the section it describes the internals (stator, regulator, etc.) it mentioned that one of them was set to produce (I can't remember what) higher or lower in summer than winter because of the effect temperature had on it. When I read that I figured the alternator was the culprit since this problem occurs more often in the winter. Now I'm guessing it's one of the connections to the alternator. I just don't know how to find the other ends of the wires in the alternator plugs.
Anyway, if I ever figure it out I'll share it here and if you ever figure it out, please share it here too. This is a really annoying problem.
Bill, can you explain a little more about this? Where did you get it? What is "it", just a box with some wires that plug in somewhere? Is there a model number, name, or part number? What did it cost you?
Thanks
I have bough about eight test boxes off of ebay and the price depends on what test box and it seems very in prices on the time of year.
You remember ECO, he got me going on test boxes with a post he made about EEC-IV test equipment. I some how I got started buying it and could not stop. All of it was made by HICKOK and sold under the brand name Rotunda and OTC.
The Monitor and the Recorder were about $150.00 each without overlays.
Other items varied in price.
I do not have everything that he posted but I now have a lot of it.
How much is it to have someone put the recorder & monitor on it?
Here is another test box I have and you could use it maybe to find your problem if it is in the Ignition system.
The TFI-EEC-IV-INTERMITTENT-IGNITION-ANALYZER will test the system with the engine running or not and remember the problem.
From what you describe, if you even have an MLPS, it's not your problem. A bad MLPS will make the tranny suddenly shift into neutral, not cause the engine to miss.
The tranny on my truck is a 5-speed manual. The 5 spot on the shift **** is marked with the OD symbol. Would I have an MLPS on a manual trans or is it on autos only?
The tranny on my truck is a 5-speed manual. The 5 spot on the shift **** is marked with the OD symbol. Would I have an MLPS on a manual trans or is it on autos only?
No you do not, you have a standard transmission. The Computer does not shift it you do so the computer does not need to know what gear you have selected.