Truck Died While Driving on Highway

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Jul 18, 2011 | 09:53 PM

richardfalco

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Truck Died While Driving on Highway

Hi all,

I have a 2001 F-150 (4x4) 5.4L V8 with 106,000 miles on it.

While driving this afternoon on the highway at about 55 mph my truck died and would not restart (no rough running or stumbling, it just shut off). After about 20-30 minutes of poking around under the hood, I thought I would give it one last try and it fired up and drove fine. Shut it down and started it up several times with no problems...

During my troubleshooting, I unhooked the battery for about 20 seconds (wish I hadn't done that). I didn't think that would clear the codes, but when I had it scanned, it showed nothing.

Any chance it was some kind of vapor lock (I know I'm reaching there)? The air temp was over 100 and I had about 1/4 tank of Casey's gas (which I believe is pretty high in ethanol).

Any guesses? I'm not sure where to start since it is running fine now...

Jul 19, 2011 | 04:28 PM

Dave G.

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Sounds like a circuit breaker tripped, then reset itself after cooling down. Check your owners manual and see what is powered through one of those. Might have one that is getting weak.

Dave

Jul 20, 2011 | 12:16 PM

richardfalco

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No mention of 'breakers' in the manual. Just fuses and relays.

Bad relay perhaps? I'm at a complete loss...

Drove it around town in the heat today and let it idle for a long time, could not duplicate the problem.

Jul 20, 2011 | 10:07 PM

keyul

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From: Carson City, NV

Had my old truck (98 f150 4.6L) do this a long time ago. Was just driving along and the motor shut off, started right back up and never did it again. I could never duplicate it. Hopefully yours will be like mine and that'll be the last of it!

Jul 20, 2011 | 10:59 PM

Dave G.

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The breakers would be anything with a number in the 600's. Without a diagram, I can't tell you offhand if anything crucial runs through one of them.

Dave

Jul 21, 2011 | 12:38 AM

richardfalco

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Ahh yes, found them in the manual. Only two CBs listed for my truck, one is "not used" and the other is for power windows and moon roof on a Super Crew (which mine is not).

Jul 21, 2011 | 01:04 AM

Tex1986

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I just had the same thing happen to me today. Turned out it was a loose battery clamp. I DOUBT that's your issue though. But had to throw it in just to be sure. Hopefully yours doesn't pop up again

Jul 25, 2011 | 05:38 PM

PlatinumKanikas

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From: San Marcos, Texas

Mine did the same thing yesterday. I was driving and it just died. I tried starting it and it would start, but stumble and die. I waited about 30 minutes and tried it again and it started up fine. I haven't tried it since because I don't want to get stranded!

The engine code went away after it started up!

Jul 30, 2011 | 02:19 AM

#10

richardfalco

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Well, I guess I'm not alone...

Truck has been running fine since. It was almost like it got too hot and shut it self off. It was well over 100 deg that day.