Sooo much money
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New User
Joined: May 2007
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Sooo much money
Ok Ive been having the same problem with my 1990 F150 for about a year or so. Over two thousand has been put into mechanical work and not a thing has changed. Maybe one of you has an idea as to what it can be.
When I start the truck it will idle very rough, sometimes I have to give it gas just to keep it on. As far as driving goes, at times it drives perfectly but for the most part its horrible. The trucks RPMs will drop suddenly and go back up and the truck will jerk. When coming around a curve or turn it seems like I have to floor the gas pedal just to get it to accelerate. Like theres a total loss of power completely. Now for the worst part... Every now and then the truck will completely cut off without any warning. It happens when Im only going 30 and when Im going as fast as 80. Theres no shudder or jerk, it just shuts off. It usually stays off anywhere from 15 minutes to several hours.
The things Ive had done to it...
New catalytic converter and muffler
New idle air controller
tons of work on the distributor.
tune up (wires, plugs, cap)
new fuel filter
thats all i can recall as of right now. please.. any help is greatly appreciated
When I start the truck it will idle very rough, sometimes I have to give it gas just to keep it on. As far as driving goes, at times it drives perfectly but for the most part its horrible. The trucks RPMs will drop suddenly and go back up and the truck will jerk. When coming around a curve or turn it seems like I have to floor the gas pedal just to get it to accelerate. Like theres a total loss of power completely. Now for the worst part... Every now and then the truck will completely cut off without any warning. It happens when Im only going 30 and when Im going as fast as 80. Theres no shudder or jerk, it just shuts off. It usually stays off anywhere from 15 minutes to several hours.
The things Ive had done to it...
New catalytic converter and muffler
New idle air controller
tons of work on the distributor.
tune up (wires, plugs, cap)
new fuel filter
thats all i can recall as of right now. please.. any help is greatly appreciated
Elder User
Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 565
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You've got an electrical problem somewhere, like conaski said pull the codes on it. I personally think it's your PCM going out like mine did. If you pull codes and get alot of codes like I did it's probably your PCM. Just to let you know you've got an ODB-1 computer.
FTE Legend
Joined: Jun 2006
Posts: 31,930
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From: Ottawa, Ontario
And pulling the codes is easy. Find the EEC test harness behind the washer fluid resovoir, connect the STO and Sig-Rtn wires with a paper clip or piece of wire, turn the key to run and the fuel pump should cycle for a second and then the check engine light should begin to flash a sequence. See www.fordfuelinjection.com for pics and more info on this.
Lead Driver
Joined: Nov 2002
Posts: 9,557
Likes: 44
From: Concord, NC
Better connect the STI to the signal return wire instead. The STO is connected to the check engine light and will damage the signal return circuit if jumpered together (+12V through the computer ground circuit).
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New User
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ok ill try to pull the codes tomorrow before work and get back to you guys.
what type of electrical problems could be causing this? i know it cant be determined exactly without the codes but what are some possibilities?
what type of electrical problems could be causing this? i know it cant be determined exactly without the codes but what are some possibilities?
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Lead Driver
Joined: Nov 2002
Posts: 9,557
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From: Concord, NC
i just run my STI to the neg. battery terminal?
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Post Fiend
Joined: Mar 2002
Posts: 19,402
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From: Bonita Springs FL
Hopefully you got a free paint job out of it at least...
I agree with pulling the codes. The sudden cut-out usually means something electrical. I would take the connector off the PCM and see if there is any water or corrosion in there. If you get a lot of codes it doesn't mean the PCM is bad.
Post Fiend
Joined: Apr 2008
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From: Grants Pass, Oregon
I had a SOMEWHAT similar problem with a 1986 Ranger that i bought brand new....however mine for the most part drove perfectly,and then all of a sudden it would start missing or otherwise cutting out,until finally it would die altogether. mine always did give a warning,it never went from running perfect to just dead on the highway. it would then sit for 15-30 minutes,i would try and start it every five minutes or,finally it would start,and run rough,and i would rev it up a little and it would smooth out and run fine,until the next time. it was brought into the dealer 2 or 3 times,and they could never find out what was causing it,so after 2-1/2 years and roughly 50K miles on it,i traded it in on a new 1988 Ranger........good luck,and hopefully you get it resolved!
New User
Joined: Jul 2009
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From: East TN
Ok on that note. I just bought an 89 F-150 5.0 four speed that had been sitting for about a year. I know the truck was taken care of (my old Unlce) it has 166K on it. The fuel gauage reads alll the way past full on the front tank and it cannot be used because someone tried to siphon gas out of the front tank and jammed it up so it cannot even be filled...when switched to the rear tank the gauge will not read past E..(filled it up today)...it seems like a grounding problem but the truck also runs rough and dies when first started...then smooths out...It also will backfire or pop when cold...not sure if the 2 are related..If it is a grounding problem where is the fuel guage grounded....any help would be much appreciated.......Thanks!
Post Fiend
Joined: Mar 2002
Posts: 19,402
Likes: 38
From: Bonita Springs FL
Ok on that note. I just bought an 89 F-150 5.0 four speed that had been sitting for about a year. I know the truck was taken care of (my old Unlce) it has 166K on it. The fuel gauage reads alll the way past full on the front tank and it cannot be used because someone tried to siphon gas out of the front tank and jammed it up so it cannot even be filled...when switched to the rear tank the gauge will not read past E..(filled it up today)...it seems like a grounding problem but the truck also runs rough and dies when first started...then smooths out...It also will backfire or pop when cold...not sure if the 2 are related..If it is a grounding problem where is the fuel guage grounded....any help would be much appreciated.......Thanks!
Post Fiend
Joined: Mar 2002
Posts: 19,402
Likes: 38
From: Bonita Springs FL
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