300 running rough and rich? please help!
 

ok guys tried to start my 92 f-150 this morning ran rough and smoked/ used an auto x-ray and it pulled codes 18 idm module assuming the ignition control module is bad. also code 42 running rich. is this what happens when the ignition module goes bad. i need some suggestions.its pretty much un drivable!:mad:

I`m surprised you have had no replies. If it was me I would check the timing and think about replacing plugs and wires. I might also check the fuel pressure but ignition first. Then clear the codes and see.

Timing checked fine on the auto x-ray. new plugs. icm checked fine at o reillys.
I'm thinking its not fuel pressure since its running so rich. But O Reillys said the code 18 is a spout grounded. What would that mean....a short!

air filter clogged?

may need to check that and a few other things tomorrow

I don't know what auto x-ray is, but the only way to check timing is with a timing light.

Your 1992 should be giving you 3 digit codes, not 2 digit codes, so the codes you have now are useless.

What's the history on the truck? How long have you had it? How many miles? Any recent work? Is this new behavior? Are there any other symptoms?

Auto x-ray is a scan tool....I've also checked timing with light.. has 224,000 miles. i've had it bout 6 months. Recent work would be new fuel pump on front tank....and a fuel filter on bout 2 days later. drove fine for several days then just started the next morning. do i need a second opinion on the icm. its driving me nuts. the code shows the spout is grounded or short circuited.:-hair please help!

its obd 1 .... are they not 2 digit codes....my mustang is....its a 90

Spout
 

If your 92 is like my 96... The spout is a shorting plug that you remove to check the base timing. It keeps the ignition from advancing. Mine is located on the drivers side inner fender just below the cruise control. It will be black, about the size of your thumb with two wires going to it. The spout end will be hanging free. When you pull the end off it is like a fuse with two prongs to bridge the wires. Set your base timming with the connector removed. Then reinsert when done.

obd 1 had either 2 or 3 digit codes.

depends on what year.

:-downi understand how the spout works. coud this make it run rich. i guess i've messed with it long enough to get confused! i'll recheck timing tomorrow.

I would only think the ignition would contribute to a rich condition if you had poor spark or missfiring wires/plugs cutting out.

I seem to recall that the fuel pressure regulator mounted on the fuel rail is basically a vacumee operated diaphram. When the diaphram cracks, more fuel gets by than intended creating a rich condition. I saw a GM suck raw fuel right up the vacumee line. Guy said he was getting crappy gas mileage... With all that raw fuel it's a wonder it didn't go poof! Check that out.

read plugs.

check air filter.

start at the beginning is what i am trying to say.

I agree that you probably want to check things that are relatively easy to check. That can give you a few clues, and could eliminate some suspect.

However,
I checked fordfuelinjection.com, and code 18 means 2 things -- depending on whether it shows up in something called continue memory mode,or Key On Engine Running.

The continue memory mode explanation doesn't seem to make too much sense . It says that either the SPOUT is grounded, or the Ignition Diagnostic Monitor failed.

If SPOUT is grounded, I don't think that it can spark. IDM seems to be the diagnostic ( monitor) that the computer runs to tell it if the ignition is OK.

The other scenario (KOER) says that it means that either the SPOUT is open or the spark angle word is corrupt.

SPOUT open I understand -- When you disconnect SPOUT, you fix your timing at 10 BTDC.

Spark angle word sounds like what the computer produces to determine the timing. If it's corrupted then the computer probably can't set the timing and it stays at 10(warning: I don't know this)

If you check your timing with a light, and it never varies, that might be a reason for rough running. If it does vary -- then the code 18 problem is more difficult.

foredfuelinjection.com has a host of other info that you might want to check out

Good Luck,

plugs have been changed and checked. timing checked. may check the fuel regulator. the reason it has me stumped is i have checked almost everything i can think of. maybe the plug wires are bad. i noticed that the very far back plug was black the rest were wet with fuel.:-huh