(I've posted this under 'engines' too but thought that it'd be smart to post this here as well)

Here's a new one to me. On my way home from work yesterday, the engine just stopped, quit, ceased to run. All the dash warning lights came on, the odometer read: ------ and I coasted over to the side of the road.

The only way I could restart was to shut off the ignition, completely remove the key and then replace the key and start up again, which it did with no problem.

This has happened twice now, once about a month ago and then again yesterday. Both times I was in fairly heavy traffic on a straight road running at 35-40 mph with the A/C on. There is no advance warning of impending shutdown, just driving along when it just quits. I have a Superchip but it's been in over 10 months now. My gut feeling is that it's something electrical/computer related but what? I dunno.

I'm really stumped here. Any info, suggestions and help is really appreciated. Thanks very much folks!
-R


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2000 F-150 Lariat SB Supercab 4x4 Off-Road Pkg, Tow Pkg. 5.4L, 3.55 LS rear, Bright Red over Silver, Med. Graphite Guts, Rear Slider, K&N Filter, Cabin Filtration System, Superchip, Lund Interceptor Deflector, Mobil 1.

 

That can certainly be a scarry experience not to mention frustrating. Since you do have a superchip, I would suggest taking it out, recleaning it and putting it back in. If you're lucky, you just have a bit of that coating stuff that didn't come off when you first cleaned it.

 

Disconnect the battery and remove the chip. Then take it to the dealer for warranty service/repair. They have excellent diagnostic equipment and can determine the problem easily. ( I think). Until then good luck and stay in the right lane.

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1999 F-150 Lariat SC 2 WD, White/Silver, 5.4L, 3.55LS, K & N FIPK, Superchip, underdrive pulley set, Dynomax Super Turbo Series Exhaust, six disc CD changer, towing package and captain chairs

 

Check the replies in the Engine forum.

 

Hi Reavis,

Check your Superchip to make sure it's fully seated. Even though it's been working fine for 10 months, they can somtimes get a little bit loose over time from say, hitting a curb hard, etc. It's rare, but it can happen over time, and here is what to check for: check your black pressure clip that holds your computer to it's mounting bracket to see if it has a little "lip" on it that gently pushes on the Superchip, because about 1 in 5 of these trucks will have that little "lip". What can happen is over time, it will gently push on the Superchip and finally after enough time, the Superchip may loose part of it's connection, and cause a no-start. Usually when this happens the vehicle won't start back up until you re-seat the Superchip if it's actually lost it's connection, but this is at least something to check for, that could explain your problem.

Also, there are a few of these trucks that can have a thinner-than-specification edge connector on the back where the chip attaches, and that can cause an interrupted or partial connection, though this is usually something that is noticeably immediately.

And please feel free to call us to go over this in more detail if you like.

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Mike Troyer
Performance Products, Inc.
National Distributor of Superchips
(540) 862-9515
Email: mtroyer@compuserve.com
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