I have a 85 Ford F150 with a 302 and have been experiencing engine electrical issues that two mechanics have given up on. The truck starts just fine but will die randomly like someone has just turned the key to the off position. It happens pretty frequently to the point where it is not safe to drive. Both mechanics are confident it's not a fuel issue and everything seems to be working on that end. The ECU, ICM, Idle Control, Starter Solenoid have all been replaced and I'm drawing a blank as to what it could be or even how to diagnose what is going on.

Any ideas of what it could or how to diagnose?

 

Sounds like the pick - up coil.....Replace the pick - up coil ..it's on the inside of the distributor. It's a black curved little dealie on the side.

 

Thanks, will give it a try

 

I replaced the ICM (Standard) first before removing the whole distributor just to see if that would do the trick. It now seems to be running fine but my worry is that something is causing the ICM to go bad. Is this possible? The mechanic who worked on it previously replaced the ICM (Motorcraft) twice with and it failed after a while on each of those.

 

Were the parts NOS (now old stock)?
Do electronics (caps) go bad, leak, not being used?
There was a time when there was a bunch of bad caps made and installed in things and they blew up and stopped working.

I would check all grounds: Batt> to motor> to frame> to body
You may even want to add 1 to the box just to make sure it has a ground.
I would also check the charging system to make sure it is not over charging.
Dave ----

 

If it's got a AOD check the sensor switch on the transmission fuel pump and or power goes through it . I had to clean and bend terminals out a little for a better contact . Cheers.