Driveability
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New User
Joined: Aug 2009
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From: Montana
Driveability
I have a 1996 F150 it has started to have issues after it has been driven for awhile and I shut it off for 10-20 minutes and restart it it will sputter and then run ok.The last couple of nights I have gone up to cut a load of wood if I let it sit for a few minutes and idle it will start to sputter and die. I will crank it and it tries to fire off but doesnt.The longer it sits the easier it will start. If it sits overnight it starts fine. I pulled the codes and there was none stored in the computer.
Senior User
Joined: Sep 2007
Posts: 336
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From: Iowa
My first thought is TFI (Thin Film Ignition) module. Routine weak point in Fords and subject to heat-soak failure (so much so that they finally removed it from the distributor itself and put it in it's own heat sink...driver's side rear fenderwell mounted IIRC on your truck). The revised mounting helps keep them alive, but they are still the same weak part so they still go bad. Also, I don't believe they will throw a code when they start to go bad.
My suggestion would be to start with the fuel filter (again, not a bad idea even as maintenance) then if problem persists or gets worse, look hard at the TFI module. Some parts stores can check them, but again, they act up when hot, so bench test cold doesn't really tell the whole story though. Unfortunately, they seem to continue to act up when hot then they just die though so there is no prior notice of total failure (except that it will surely occur when it is most inconvenient.)
Good luck!
Cargo Master
Joined: Jul 2009
Posts: 2,541
Likes: 54
From: Des Moines
I'd have to agree with mikegt here- I'd suspect ignition system. The TFI module isn't a bad idea, but you might also want to check out your coil too- the fact that the longer it sits the easier it starts tells me that's because your coil is cooling down.
When's the last time you checked your spark plugs as well? I'd also pull them all and see what they look like- the plugs can be a good indicator of what's happening not only inside the combustion chamber but also with the ignition system itself. If they look normal, then next time it's acting up, check the color of the spark. I believe that white is a hot spark and blue is a cooler spark, but someone else may want to confirm that.
You may also want to pop off the distributor cap and check the contacts and rotor for carbon build up.
Just some ideas. Keep us updated.
When's the last time you checked your spark plugs as well? I'd also pull them all and see what they look like- the plugs can be a good indicator of what's happening not only inside the combustion chamber but also with the ignition system itself. If they look normal, then next time it's acting up, check the color of the spark. I believe that white is a hot spark and blue is a cooler spark, but someone else may want to confirm that.
You may also want to pop off the distributor cap and check the contacts and rotor for carbon build up.
Just some ideas. Keep us updated.
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New User
Joined: Aug 2009
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From: Montana
Already replaced the fuel filter it didnt help I had the same problem last summer This past saturday I wnet up to cut a load of wood and it ran fine,but it was 30 degrees out and snowing
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