Notices
1978 - 1996 Big Bronco  
Sponsored by:
Sponsored by:

Stalls when starting out

Thread Tools
 
Search this Thread
 
Old Jun 21, 2009 | 10:29 PM
  #1  
ff lc freak's Avatar
ff lc freak
Thread Starter
|
Cross-Country
15 Year Member
Photogenic
Liked
Joined: Oct 2008
Posts: 91
Likes: 30
From: Vancouver, Washington
Stalls when starting out

Hey all,

I have a 94 Bronco with a 351 and E4OD pretty much all stock with 139K miles. After start up, when I put it in gear (any gear forward or reverse), and after about 20 - 30 feet of driving, the engine stalls. If I keep my foot on the gas, it will pull through and not completely die, but pretty close. It will do this once and then drive fine. However, once I shut down and restart it, it will do it again. But again, it will do it once and then drive fine. If I leave it in park or neutral after start up, it won't have any problems idling or reving up, but it will stall/die once I start moving. I checked codes, both KOEO and KOER, and have none (which was surprising, at least to me). I'm guessing it has something to do with the transmission since it only does it when driving and not idling.

It just started this today. Unfortunately, I'm 300 miles from home on vacation with my family and I'm leaving tomorrow afternoon for home. I'm just worried this will progress and leave me stranded in the middle of nowhere. Any ideas or help would be greatly appreciated.

Thanks!
Kyle
 
Reply
Old Jun 22, 2009 | 06:06 AM
  #2  
b4hntn's Avatar
b4hntn
Posting Guru
Joined: Apr 2005
Posts: 2,018
Likes: 0
From: Longview, TX
Club FTE Silver Member

Does it do it when fully warmed up also? Is there any code in CM, continuous memory? It will give history.

Pull the vacuum hose off the fuel pressure regulator. There should not be fuel in it.

Is your radiator full for the ECT to report correctly to the computer?

Several sensors could be getting old causing fuel mixture to be off but not bad enough to throw a code. If you have not replaced the oxygen sensor, it is overdue. 60-90K miles is suggested. I would throw one at it. If that is not it, you can use it later. The computer has a limp home mode just for your scenario so I would come home then work on it. Clean the IAB (I replaced mine) and meter the TPS with analog meter (I just replaced it, and broke off a screw so do it at home), replace the oxygen sensor then. Test resistance at many temperatures in your oven on the ECT and the ACT. See ford fuel injection site. .

Come on home and continue to enjoy your vacation.
 
Reply
Old Jun 22, 2009 | 11:28 AM
  #3  
ff lc freak's Avatar
ff lc freak
Thread Starter
|
Cross-Country
15 Year Member
Photogenic
Liked
Joined: Oct 2008
Posts: 91
Likes: 30
From: Vancouver, Washington
Hi,

I'll do my best to answer your questions. They are in red below. Thanks for your help!

Any other ideas are appreciated as well.

Thanks again!

Originally Posted by b4hntn
Does it do it when fully warmed up also? Yes. Is there any code in CM, continuous memory? No CM codes. It will give history.

Pull the vacuum hose off the fuel pressure regulator. There should not be fuel in it. No, there is no fuel in it.

Is your radiator full for the ECT to report correctly to the computer? Yes, coolant is topped off.

Several sensors could be getting old causing fuel mixture to be off but not bad enough to throw a code. If you have not replaced the oxygen sensor, it is overdue. 60-90K miles is suggested. O2 sensor is new within last 3000 miles. I would throw one at it. If that is not it, you can use it later. The computer has a limp home mode just for your scenario so I would come home then work on it. Clean the IAB (I replaced mine) and meter the TPS with analog meter (I just replaced it, and broke off a screw so do it at home), replace the oxygen sensor then. Test resistance at many temperatures in your oven on the ECT and the ACT. See ford fuel injection site. . I'll check these when I get home.

Come on home and continue to enjoy your vacation.
 
Reply
Old Jun 22, 2009 | 12:23 PM
  #4  
ff lc freak's Avatar
ff lc freak
Thread Starter
|
Cross-Country
15 Year Member
Photogenic
Liked
Joined: Oct 2008
Posts: 91
Likes: 30
From: Vancouver, Washington
So, I'm still stumped as to why it does it only once after every start up. And only after driving a little ways. I've let it idle for several minutes after start up and it still stalls/dies once I start driving. It idles and revs up fine until I start driving. But it does it only once and then it is fine until I turn it off.

It started all of a sudden yesterday. I was driving around and making different stops and it was running fine. Then, the next trip it died when I started driving. It has done it on every start up since.

I'm just trying to give as much info as possible, because I'm pretty well stumped. I was really hoping for some codes to point me in the right direction. But that was a no go.

Again, any help would be appreciated.

Thanks!
 
Reply
Old Jun 22, 2009 | 09:25 PM
  #5  
ff lc freak's Avatar
ff lc freak
Thread Starter
|
Cross-Country
15 Year Member
Photogenic
Liked
Joined: Oct 2008
Posts: 91
Likes: 30
From: Vancouver, Washington
adding to the fun

I made it home! However, I noticed an "addition" to my problems. I was driving down the highway at 60 and started getting into the late afternoon shadows. I reached down and turned on my headlights. When I pulled my headlight switch, the engine died. I turned the headlights off and the engine fired right back up. I tried this a couple of times with the same result. If I pull the headlight switch while driving, the engine dies. I still have the stall/die issue when starting out, but now this as well.

Any ideas? I'm stumped.

Thanks!
 
Reply
Old Jun 23, 2009 | 04:58 AM
  #6  
b4hntn's Avatar
b4hntn
Posting Guru
Joined: Apr 2005
Posts: 2,018
Likes: 0
From: Longview, TX
Club FTE Silver Member

Have your battery tested? Then put a meter on the battery terminals to read the charging voltage? Glad you made it home safely.
 
Reply
Old Jun 23, 2009 | 07:03 AM
  #7  
ottawaguy's Avatar
ottawaguy
Elder User
Joined: Jan 2008
Posts: 973
Likes: 0
From: Gatineau, Quebec
Sounds like you got a gremlin!!!
Actually sounds like a charging issue, but can't be sure.
Time will tell I guess.
Certainly do as recommended and test battery and charging system.
Not sure this is related to your original issue though.
I hope it all works our for you....Keep us in the loop.
 
Reply
Old Jun 26, 2009 | 09:55 PM
  #8  
ff lc freak's Avatar
ff lc freak
Thread Starter
|
Cross-Country
15 Year Member
Photogenic
Liked
Joined: Oct 2008
Posts: 91
Likes: 30
From: Vancouver, Washington
Well, I seem to have fixed the issue. After I realized that turning on the headlights cut out the fuel pump, I started chasing electrical problems. I'm still not sure what fixed it. However, I cleaned all my grounds even though they were not dirty or corroded and made sure they were tight. I know grounding issues can cause lots of problems so I thought I would start there. In doing that, I had the battery disconnected for awhile. When everything was hooked back up, it ran fine.

So, my two theories are:
1) It was a bad ground. Like I said though, none of them looked bad or corroded. Who knows?
2) A glitch in the computer? I don't even know if that can happen, but after "rebooting" it runs fine. Anyone know if that can be a problem? Most of my experience working on cars are the carburated kind. Like I said, this started in the middle of "running errands". It ran fine for probably 8 startups earlier in the day, and then "bam!" I was having problems.

Weird.

On the bright side, everything is running great again. Thanks for the suggestions everyone.

 
Reply
FTE Stories

Ford Trucks for Ford Truck Enthusiasts

story-0

Top 10 Ford Truck Tragedies

 Joe Kucinski
story-1

AEV FXL Super Duty - the Super Duty Raptor Ford Doesn't Make

 Brett Foote
story-2

Lobo Vs Lobo: Proof the F-150 Lobo Should Be Even Lower!

 Michael S. Palmer
story-3

Ford's 2001 Explorer Sportsman Concept Looks For a New Home

 Verdad Gallardo
story-4

10 Best Ford Truck Engines We Miss the Most!

 Joe Kucinski
story-5

2026 Shelby F-150 Off-Road: Better Than a Raptor R?

 Brett Foote
story-6

2027 Super Duty Carhartt Package First Look: 12 Things You NEED to Know!

 Michael S. Palmer
story-7

10 Most Surprising 2026 Ford Truck Features!

 Joe Kucinski
story-8

Top 10 Ford Trucks Coming to Mecum Indy 2026

 Brett Foote
story-9

5 Best / 5 Worst Ford Truck Wheels of All Time

 Joe Kucinski
Old Jun 26, 2009 | 10:25 PM
  #9  
alxsnmr's Avatar
alxsnmr
Fleet Mechanic
Joined: Mar 2005
Posts: 1,603
Likes: 1
From: St Louis
I guess my question is, you didnt even get the 11 or 111 code? You should at least get the 11 or 111 code. There have been several posts about grounding issues in 87 to 97 trucks cause other problems. Maybe you got lucky and cleared the problem up.
 
Reply
Old Jun 27, 2009 | 04:22 PM
  #10  
ff lc freak's Avatar
ff lc freak
Thread Starter
|
Cross-Country
15 Year Member
Photogenic
Liked
Joined: Oct 2008
Posts: 91
Likes: 30
From: Vancouver, Washington
Sorry, I should have worded that better. I did get the 111 code when I checked for codes.

 
Reply
Related Topics
Thread
Thread Starter
Forum
Replies
Last Post
sGreuel
1997 - 2006 Expedition & Navigator
15
Oct 3, 2012 08:15 AM
marcomjl
1999 - 2003 7.3L Power Stroke Diesel
10
Jan 24, 2011 08:49 PM
a.mcewan
1973 - 1979 F-100 & Larger F-Series Trucks
9
Nov 18, 2009 08:02 AM
Rob.D
Explorer, Sport Trac, Mountaineer & Aviator
41
Jun 5, 2008 06:32 PM
ellsdemon
1973 - 1979 F-100 & Larger F-Series Trucks
11
Dec 29, 2006 10:18 PM




All times are GMT -5. The time now is 11:35 AM.

story-0
Top 10 Ford Truck Tragedies

Slideshow: Top 10 Ford truck tragedies.

By Joe Kucinski | 2026-05-18 19:34:33


VIEW MORE
story-1
AEV FXL Super Duty - the Super Duty Raptor Ford Doesn't Make

And it might be even better than that.

By Brett Foote | 2026-05-18 19:26:42


VIEW MORE
story-2
Lobo Vs Lobo: Proof the F-150 Lobo Should Be Even Lower!

Slideshow: Does lowering an F-150 Lobo RUIN the ride quality?

By Michael S. Palmer | 2026-05-18 19:20:37


VIEW MORE
story-3
Ford's 2001 Explorer Sportsman Concept Looks For a New Home

Slideshow: Ford's bizarre fishing-themed Explorer concept has resurfaced after spending decades largely forgotten.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-05-12 18:07:46


VIEW MORE
story-4
10 Best Ford Truck Engines We Miss the Most!

Slideshow: The 10 best Ford truck engines we miss the most.

By Joe Kucinski | 2026-05-12 13:09:47


VIEW MORE
story-5
2026 Shelby F-150 Off-Road: Better Than a Raptor R?

Slideshow: first look at the 810 hp 2026 Shelby F-150 Off-Road!

By Brett Foote | 2026-05-12 12:50:07


VIEW MORE
story-6
2027 Super Duty Carhartt Package First Look: 12 Things You NEED to Know!

Slideshow: Everything You Need to Know about the 2027 Super Duty Carhartt Package!

By Michael S. Palmer | 2026-05-07 17:51:06


VIEW MORE
story-7
10 Most Surprising 2026 Ford Truck Features!

Slideshow: 10 most surprising Ford truck options/features in 2026.

By Joe Kucinski | 2026-05-05 11:17:22


VIEW MORE
story-8
Top 10 Ford Trucks Coming to Mecum Indy 2026

Slideshow: Here are the top 10 Fords coming to Mecum Indy 2026.

By Brett Foote | 2026-05-04 13:49:49


VIEW MORE
story-9
5 Best / 5 Worst Ford Truck Wheels of All Time

Slideshow: The 5 best and 5 worst Ford truck wheels of all time

By Joe Kucinski | 2026-04-29 16:49:01


VIEW MORE