If the wipers are in the pulse mode the engine dies. It doesn't die on every pulse cycle, but dies on every 5th to 10th cycle. This doesn't happen in the continuous mode. It occurs at idle, highway speeds, and when accelerating (this is scary when pulling out into traffic.) It took me a while to realize that it was only happening with the wipers in pulse mode.
Letting off the accelerator and repressing starts it back up. If I don't press the accelerator back down, it won't restart.

I've changed the CPS (new version), the VSS, and checked
the accelerator pedal's IVS and PPS.

The normal Start Engine lights come on when it dies, but no codes are thrown.

 

Is the CPS from Ford or your local parts store?

 

Hi Chris,

It was from Ford #- F7TZ-12K073-B

John

 

Usually this is related to an aftermarket CPS. Since this does not appear to be your case, how about some more info John? Was the truck doing this before you changed the CPS? What are you using to read the codes? Most generic code readers will not read engine specific codes on our trucks.

What year is your truck? Do you have a chip or tuner? Have you had your windshield replaced? I'd check the wiring to the CPS for any signs of chaffing. Check to make sure that little gasket that seals the connector is in good shape. Maybe even add a little dielectric grease to the gasket. Also check the back of the fuse panel under the steering wheel for any signs of moisture. And maybe try one more CPS from Ford or International just in case you got a bad one.

We've seen the aftermarket ones have their signal interfered with by the windshield wipers so it's a $25 worth spending again unless your problem has repeated itself through more than 1 Ford CPS.

 

Welcome to FTE. The people here have a lot of good info to share. Let us know what you find out. In the mean time, here's a bump.

 

Chris,
My truck is a late 1999 model F250, 4wd.
This problem was the reason I changed the CPS.
I just installed a QuadzillaXZ2008 chip that was recommended by a friend. I haven't driven it enough to determine if there's any fuel savings. The problem predated the chip.
The windshield has not been replaced, but has a crack on the passenger side. It doesn't extend to the edge.
I will perform the checks you mentioned and I will pick up a new CPS. My nephew works at the local Ford dealership's parts dept.

When this first started I took the truck to the dealership several times. They couldn't locate the problem, but each time they ran up a large parts/labor bill without fixing the problem. I refused to pay the last bill and told them I wasn't going to pay them for experimenting on my truck. Sounded like the television repairmen of days gone by. They'd keep changing tubes until they found the bad one and then charge for all the tubes they'd changed.

I have another problem, but I don't think there's a connection. My cruise control doesn't work most of the time. This problem started some time after the wiper/dying episodes began.

 

Some of the 99's were known to have windshield issues, and since your GEM is on the back of the fuse panel, that might also explain the cruise issue. I'd start by pulling the fuse panel and looking for any signs of old moisture.

Good luck.

 

I've got to pick up a load of groceries in the morning and deliver it to a food pantry that my wife and I manage. When I get back I'll try to get around to pulling the fuse panel.

Sorry, but I neglected to give you the Scanner than I'm using. It's an Actron Elite CP9185. I'm told that many of the normal OBDII codes aren't available since my truck exceeds the 8500lb GVWR limit.

 

I kind of figured you had an incompatible code reader. If it's related to the water you would likely just see a P0603 code anyway. If it was a CPS code, you would need to inspect the CPS wiring since the odds of 2 bad CPS's back to back from Ford should be slim.

 

I agree Chris this seems to be looking like a damp GEM issue,