My truck keeps dying
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Joined: Mar 2001
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From: Portland, Oregon, USA
My truck keeps dying
On my way home from work tonight my 1989 f150 kept dying and I am hopeing its just a fuel filter... My book says that the filter is down on the frame... I was wondering if this truck has more than one filter... it is a 302 EFI engine with an automatic transmission... It feels like it is runing out of gas and after sitting for a few seconds it starts back up...Can you think of anything else that a laymen such as myself might check ?! I have to get it fixed ASAP!! Its all I've got and I have two small kids I have to take care of
Thanks
Dennis
Thanks
Dennis
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From: Portland, Oregon, USA
I forgot to mention that my truck has Two tanks and I think that I tried both tanks and the same thing was happening with both... thats why I'm thinking filter...what do you think ?
Dennis
Dennis
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Joined: Nov 1999
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From: Tulsa, Oklahoma
Check for plugged up catalic converter or other exhaust restriction. You can let your truck idle and get out and hold your hand or some other object over the tail pipe. If the exhaust is strong enough to blow your hand off, the exhaust is ok. If you can hold your hand over the exhaust pipe with out using much force, then its plugged up.
A plugged up exhaust will cause your engine to quit. Then you can restart and again it will quit soon.
Let us know what you find out.
A plugged up exhaust will cause your engine to quit. Then you can restart and again it will quit soon.
Let us know what you find out.
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Joined: Mar 2000
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From: FL
<font face="Verdana, Arial" size="2">Originally posted by insect2:
Check for plugged up catalic converter or other exhaust restriction. You can let your truck idle and get out and hold your hand or some other object over the tail pipe. If the exhaust is strong enough to blow your hand off, the exhaust is ok. If you can hold your hand over the exhaust pipe with out using much force, then its plugged up.
A plugged up exhaust will cause your engine to quit. Then you can restart and again it will quit soon.
Let us know what you find out.</font>
Check for plugged up catalic converter or other exhaust restriction. You can let your truck idle and get out and hold your hand or some other object over the tail pipe. If the exhaust is strong enough to blow your hand off, the exhaust is ok. If you can hold your hand over the exhaust pipe with out using much force, then its plugged up.
A plugged up exhaust will cause your engine to quit. Then you can restart and again it will quit soon.
Let us know what you find out.</font>
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1989 F-150 XLT Lariat: 2WD 5spd 5.0[*]3" Body Lift[*]33x12.50.15 BFG on 15x10 AR Rims[*]Rancho Steering Stabilizer[*]Rancho RS 5000 Shocks[*]K&N Air Filter[*]2 Chambered Flowmaster Dual Exhaust With Cats Removed
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Joined: Mar 2001
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From: Portland, Oregon, USA
Well here's where I stand... exhaust is coming out fine (good and strong) and I also installed a new fuel filter and that did not
help...I will work on it untill I die - I refuse to let it beat me and I refuse to buy Chevy...Keep those ideas coming --My kids say hi
Dennis
help...I will work on it untill I die - I refuse to let it beat me and I refuse to buy Chevy...Keep those ideas coming --My kids say hi
Dennis
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Joined: Dec 1999
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From: Lubbock, Texas, USA
I wouldn't bet on the cats being clogged if your exhaust is blowing well. Go to this website: http://www.dalidesign.com/hbook/eectest.html
Read it and preferably print it out. It will teach you how to read engine fault codes from your trucks computer through your check engine dash lite. All you need is a piece of wire to do this. These codes will give you a correct starting place to fix the problem rather than guessing and replacing parts...that gets very expensive. Change your fuel filter if you've never done it on this truck. They're cheap. If that don't do it, check the regular stuff...plugs, plug wires, dist. cap and rotor, timing...all the tuneup goodies. Could also be your IAC valve (Idle Air Control)...these get gummy after a while and it affects the idle. Easy to clean or replace though...just consult a chilton's or haynes manual ($20 at parts stores). Also check out www.ford-trucks.com and their forums...good stuff there. Keep those kids belted in and post back with results.
Read it and preferably print it out. It will teach you how to read engine fault codes from your trucks computer through your check engine dash lite. All you need is a piece of wire to do this. These codes will give you a correct starting place to fix the problem rather than guessing and replacing parts...that gets very expensive. Change your fuel filter if you've never done it on this truck. They're cheap. If that don't do it, check the regular stuff...plugs, plug wires, dist. cap and rotor, timing...all the tuneup goodies. Could also be your IAC valve (Idle Air Control)...these get gummy after a while and it affects the idle. Easy to clean or replace though...just consult a chilton's or haynes manual ($20 at parts stores). Also check out www.ford-trucks.com and their forums...good stuff there. Keep those kids belted in and post back with results.
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Joined: Jan 2001
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From: Davis, California
Dennis:
This was happening with my '88 250, and I feel your pain! My problem continued to get worse and worse as time went on, the truck was dying for longer periods of time. I checked my cat, fuel filter, and everything else I could think of. I finally had to break down and take it to the dealer and pay for the diagnostic fee. It turns out all the problem consisted of was a bad computer chip something or other. Not your trucks main chip...I will have to go back through my records to find out exactly what it was called. Anyway, after three months of headaches and wondering when the next time would be that my truck would break down, I had the problem fixed for under $100, parts, labor and diagnosis included. Take your rig in and have them run a diagnostic!! It may actually save you time and money in the long run...especially with two kids!!!
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2001 F-150 4X4 ORP
Green Super Cab XLT
5.4, 3.55 LS
Duraliner Bedliner
1988 F-250 4X4 "The Moose" 460 Motor,33X12.5, Two-chambered flowmaster straight out the back, Pioneer head unit with two twelve's kickin' behind the seat!
1970 F-250 2WD "Pondscum"
Custom 360 motor screamin' with a blown out cherry bomb!
This was happening with my '88 250, and I feel your pain! My problem continued to get worse and worse as time went on, the truck was dying for longer periods of time. I checked my cat, fuel filter, and everything else I could think of. I finally had to break down and take it to the dealer and pay for the diagnostic fee. It turns out all the problem consisted of was a bad computer chip something or other. Not your trucks main chip...I will have to go back through my records to find out exactly what it was called. Anyway, after three months of headaches and wondering when the next time would be that my truck would break down, I had the problem fixed for under $100, parts, labor and diagnosis included. Take your rig in and have them run a diagnostic!! It may actually save you time and money in the long run...especially with two kids!!!
------------------
2001 F-150 4X4 ORP
Green Super Cab XLT
5.4, 3.55 LS
Duraliner Bedliner
1988 F-250 4X4 "The Moose" 460 Motor,33X12.5, Two-chambered flowmaster straight out the back, Pioneer head unit with two twelve's kickin' behind the seat!
1970 F-250 2WD "Pondscum"
Custom 360 motor screamin' with a blown out cherry bomb!
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From: Portland, Oregon, USA
I have replaced a bunch of sensors/relays/switches/checked my radio presets/checked the air in my spare tire and cleaned out the glove box and the check engine light still comes on...really I had it put on a scope today and they said it was the EPV solenoid BUT they replaced that on 3/30/01 --- it seem to be a vacuum problem and it does'nt make the truck run bad at all... the last time the light came on I shifted into netural-turned it off and then back on and shifted back to drive - no light
I'll keep you posted - my daughters said thanks for all your ideas
Dennis
I'll keep you posted - my daughters said thanks for all your ideas
Dennis
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From: Portland, Oregon, USA
I forgot to mention that there were two problems Dying / and the "check engine" light coming on - when I took it in for the light is when the dying problem started - I think I have fixed the dying problem with Two new pumps / Fuel pressure regulator / EEC relay / and the EGR valve position sensor (the pressure was low) so now I am working on the light again
Dennis
(I wish I could figure out how to post a pic of my truck here)
Dennis
(I wish I could figure out how to post a pic of my truck here)
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From: Portland, Oregon, USA
Well here is where I stand - My truck has not died in a week and seems to be running good and the "check Engine" light has not come on in two days - so far so good - now I gotta get the tranny looked at - my mach. says it looks like it has been rebuilt or something because the tranny and transfer case are both spotless and clean but it seems like it slips now and then - hopefully it just needs an adj. any idea how much an adj. should cost?
Thanks
Dennis
http://albums.photopoint.com/j/View?...752&p=46944905
[This message has been edited by DennisOdom (edited 04-21-2001).]
[This message has been edited by DennisOdom (edited 04-21-2001).]
[This message has been edited by DennisOdom (edited 04-21-2001).]
Thanks
Dennis
http://albums.photopoint.com/j/View?...752&p=46944905
[This message has been edited by DennisOdom (edited 04-21-2001).]
[This message has been edited by DennisOdom (edited 04-21-2001).]
[This message has been edited by DennisOdom (edited 04-21-2001).]
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From: Portland, Oregon, USA
Well gang .. Here is where I stand with my truck -- I got tired of not knowing when and if it was going to die and I did not feel like installing a new rear main seal and then most likley having to sell my house to keep making more repairs on a truck that was just getting older...sooooooooo... I went out this morning and bought a 1999 f250 xcab
4x4 (this is much nicer)--- All I need is an owners manual for it... If you have one send it to me cod if its less than $15.00 (helms price)
I wont be spending as much tome in "pre 1997" land but I will be around - Have a nice day
Dennis
http://www.my4xford.homestead.com/files/IM000337.JPG
http://www.my4xford.homestead.com/files/IM000338.JPG
[This message has been edited by DennisOdom (edited 04-27-2001).]
4x4 (this is much nicer)--- All I need is an owners manual for it... If you have one send it to me cod if its less than $15.00 (helms price)
I wont be spending as much tome in "pre 1997" land but I will be around - Have a nice day
Dennis
http://www.my4xford.homestead.com/files/IM000337.JPG
http://www.my4xford.homestead.com/files/IM000338.JPG
[This message has been edited by DennisOdom (edited 04-27-2001).]
Senior Member
Joined: Mar 2000
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From: FL
awesome truck dennis! sorry we couldnt be of much help with your other one, seems like you were having a lot of trouble with it. did you end up selling it to get the new one? good luck with the new truck!
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1989 F-150 XLT Lariat: 2WD 302 5spd[*]Performance Accessories 3" Body Lift[*]33x12.50.15 BFG A/T's on 15x10 AR Rims[*]Rancho Steering Stabilizer[*]Rancho RS 5000 Shocks[*]K&N Air Filter[*]Straight Pipes For Now...
Muffler? I don't need no stinkin' muffler!
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1989 F-150 XLT Lariat: 2WD 302 5spd[*]Performance Accessories 3" Body Lift[*]33x12.50.15 BFG A/T's on 15x10 AR Rims[*]Rancho Steering Stabilizer[*]Rancho RS 5000 Shocks[*]K&N Air Filter[*]Straight Pipes For Now...
Muffler? I don't need no stinkin' muffler!