Hit a bump in the rain, truck died...
 

I've already read many threads on the wiper motor ground needing to be relocated, but my truck didn't want to start unless I had my foot on the throttle. Then it wouldn't idle?
It was pouring hard and it finally started and idled ok?
Not what I need when I'm supposed to be driving 3000 miles...
Was going to pull out tonight, but now I'm afraid.
No ses light.
When the rain lets up I'll dump my fuel bowl, change the ground wire location for the wiper motor, check if the chip came loose, and pray it doesn't happen again.
Cps is a black Motorcraft unit.

Is your IPR nut on and tight?

I'll check that as well. Still pouring outside ....

Here's a trick that might get you down the road....

Start your truck in your driveway with the wipers off.

Then, turn your wipers on VERY QUICKLY PAST ALL of the INTERVAL settings, so that the wipers end up on HIGH SPEED right away.

Did the truck die?

If not, then you can drive the truck without dealing with the problem. Just remember that every time you use your wipers, to turn them directly to High FIRST. Then you can turn them to Low, but NEVER use the Interval settings. Never.

The problem is the GEM gets involved when the wipers are on interval, and that has been shown to be linked with the problem of the truck dying when the wipers are turned on.

Remember, turn all the way to High right away, and then back down to Low if High is too rapid. Never use or linger in Interval. This trick will get you by until the issue is fixed.

Thanks for that tip.
Truck seems to idle fine right now. Wipers don't seem to be causing any issues.
I cleaned the grounds & used some dielectric grease, Chip was tight, I found new spare cps & it'll go on in the morning. I also dumped the fuel bowl because my water in fuel light is disconnected.
I'll check the IPR nut in the morning as well. IPR was changed out with a new one a year or so ago.

I'm just wondering why it didn't want to start or idle after that bump?

Maybe your 7.3 didn't like the brand of scotch you brought along for the trip :).

Best of luck Franko, I'm sure you'll get it figured out.

But it's a single malt...:-drink
I run into one more issue and I'm going to drink that bottle and smash it over my head. :-X19

How old are your batteries? They usually don't last more than 4-5 years. Maybe your alternator or bad connections? I think I gave you a gray cps you might give that a try.

If you go to a non-black CPS, let us know if the idle changes.

I have a spare black cps that's going in. The grey will be a spare.
Batts are two years old.
I few weeks ago my tps was acting up and that same speed bump caused me to loose my throttle for a few seconds. Gonna replace the tps too.
Cause the truck would run if I held the throttle, but not idle? Maybe the tps has something to do with it?
Ill let you know f I use the grey cps

I have a spare black cps that's going in. The grey will be a spare.
Batts are two years old.
A few weeks ago my tps was acting up and that same speed bump caused me to loose my throttle for a few seconds. Gonna replace the tps too.
Cause the truck would run if I held the throttle, but not idle? Maybe the tps has something to do with it?
Ill let you know f I use the grey cps

I'm not sold that a flakey TPS can cause a stall... but somebody with experience with a bad TPS would know better than I.

Since you have AE and some time on your hands, can you set up the "Usual Suspects" on AE and record as you drive? Don't worry about the file size, I've recorded for many hours without issue. If anything happens, it would be nice to have "the event" chronicled with data.


https://cimg4.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.for...f22d082670.png


The Usual Suspects

Don't bother with that Mass Fuel Desired - that's for tuning. Instead... add Torque Converter Slip (max 1000), Throttle Position Sensor volts (max 5), and Idle Validation Switch.

Please remember: Don't use the red circle (Record button), that button makes only one file per day. If you record more than once a day, that button will erase everything except the last recording. Here is the procedure for recording multiple files in a day:


https://cimg2.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.for...b1353871e2.jpg

I'm always on call (for work), so my phone is almost never far away. I'll PM my contact information, and I have Cody on speed-dial for backup.

The Brotherhood has your back, bud.

Maybe that's your problem... that thar same speed bump.


You're moving. You're done with Florida. You're never gonna run over that radioactive speed bump again.


Problem solved!


:-X03

You guys are awesome!
I changed the cps out with a new black ford unit.
Dielectric on the oring & plug.
IPR is tight. Connection clean.

Wiper/ PCM ground cleaned and greased.
I hit the same bump a few times this morning & I cannot reproduce the stall (thank God)
Gonna run into town for some food and hit every bump I can.
If it's ok I'm hooking the camper & heading west.
With one more thing weighing on my mind.....

Travel safe, Franko.