hey all, i've been away for a while because i got rid of my 97 F150...now i have my great grandpa's old 87 F150...it's a XL 2wd Regular Cab LWB with the 4.9/4 speed. it was running great but now it's hiccuping (when under VERY light throttle, like maintaining speed) and will often stall when you push the clutch in and let it coast down. here is a little history on it...

it sat for about a year and a half because 2 of the fuel pumps went bad. well, the "mechanic" who had it (i work on cars myself usually, but my great uncle was tending to this and it was about 2 hours from me...) put 6 new injectors in it, new plugs and wires chasing the same "bucking" issue. it seemed to not do it when i got it about a week ago, but now it does it bad. it will also sometimes idle between 1,500-2,000 RPM. i don't think it's a vacuum leak because sometimes it idles perfectly around 750-850.

well, the first issue i had (while working on it) is that i'm a GM guy normally and am kinda green when it comes to Fords. the problem i'm having right now is i can't find the diagnostic port on it. i looked on Extreme-Check-Engine-Codes.com and it told me it should be near the battery under the hood, but i looked all under the hood and didn't find one. can someone point me in the right direction? also, what exactly do i need to do to retrieve the codes on this bear? the MIL doesn't STAY on, but it has blinked a few times...

other than that, any advice from someone who's had a similar problem would be greatly appreciated...sorry for writing a book, just trying to get all the info out there...thanks in advance!

 

ok, a little update on this...i believe i found out how to get the codes, and the two i'm getting are 67 and 95. the 67 doesn't make much sense (from what i see, Charging System Overcharging...going by the gauge it doesn't seem to be)...and the 95 worries me, as this truck just got two fuel pumps. does anyone have any insight on this? i really need some help on this one...

 

For codes, read this caption & follow the links in it. When you're sure you have the right numbers, post them & their COMPLETE definitions:



Put all the truck's specs in your signature so they appear with every post. If you don't know what model trans it has, read this caption:



When it's idling high, check for vacuum leaks using a mechanic's stethoscope or a ~3' piece of garden hose. Don't spray anything on the engine. Have you ever looked at the spark plugs, cap, or rotor? Have you ever changed the fuel filter or checked the fuel pressure with a gauge?

. . .

Do you have a Haynes manual & a digital multimeter?

 

thanks for the reply Steve! i normally post my signature but for some reason it didn't appear with my 2 posts. looking back over that diagram you posted (already looked over it last night) i did retrieve the codes right, and they are posted in my 2nd post. i will look for vacuum leaks when it's not pouring rain here. i haven't done a fuel pressure test and i didn't put the plugs and wires in (i normally do all my own work but as explained in my first post, i didn't really have control over this truck until just now) so i wasn't able to look at the old ones when they came out. i do have a multimeter but it's about an hour and a half away from me...me and my buddy are gonna check the TPS with a multimeter in the next couple of days...and no, no Haynes manual for this truck as of yet. but thank you for all the input, any you have would be greatly appreciated!

 

For some reason, this BBS doesn't always attach signatures, even if you have the option selected in your profile. So I usually try to remember to glance at the box when I post to make sure it's checked.

So what are the definitions of those codes?

 

this is from extreme-check-engine-light-codes.com.

67-neutral/drive switch circuit open (not sure what this means, my neutral safety switch works fine. truck will not start without the clutch pressed. on another site, this code comes up as System Overcharging)

95-fuel pump secondary circuit failure (this makes me think i might need a new fuel pump relay. the pumps [2 of them, the in tank ones] were just replaced. i read a post on here saying that the fuel pump relay going bad could cause that. any input would be great!

 

Even though codes don't come up for it, it may be the pick up sensor in the distributor(hall effect/PIP). Its more common on 4.9s. But check your fuel pressure first.

And check the anticipation wire from your alternator to your battery(little wire). I've had a few short out.

 

BTW, i was looking through your Super Motors account Steve, you have a bad *** Bronco! i love that you used a 6 cyl in it...namely the 300 I-6.

 

Now click the 1st diagram I posted & read its caption, then follow the link in its caption to learn how to do the test right so you don't reset that code. It makes me think you didn't clear codes (and that DOESN'T involve disconnecting the battery) since you replaced the pumps. Codes stay in memory 50-200 key cycles after the fault isn't detected any more. Read that caption. Thanks - I have fun with it. Stock engine size - I just upgraded to the EFI version.

 

see, i read that caption a few times before i did the test...for some reason when i just jump the STI to SIG RTN alone, the MIL will not blink. the only way to get codes is to use a test light hooked to the battery and stuck in the MIL output terminal. but otherwise, i did the test just as you posted...

edit-i just read that with a 4.9 the clutch must be depressed during the self test...i will go try this and post back what i find out.

edit 2-i tried to re-do the test with the info i found above, and nothing changed. for some reason, my "engine" light refuses to blink during the test, the only way i can get a blinking light is by using the test light.

 

You're not reading the thread linked in that caption, are you? It contains more info.

Does your CEL ever come on? If it doesn't light every time the key turns to RUN, maybe the bulb is burned out. But a test light is fine for pulling codes.

 

yes, I have read that thread...that's where I learned the clutch needed to be depressed to do the test properly. the only "engine" light I'm referring to is a red light That simply says engine...I assumed That was it...is there a light that says check engine on this truck? if so, mine is burnt out. where on the dash is it?

I think I've got retrieving codes down, I just need to figure out what's actually wrong with it now.

 

Take your ICM in to get tested. My '96 was doing this exact same thing. Turned out to be a bad ICM and the pick up sensor in the distributor. Also, check your fuel pump relay.

 

Yes, some '87-91 F-series have both a red & a yellow engine light. Check your owner's manual for their positions & meanings. If you don't have one, try eBay or your local junkyards. I mainly collect Bronco manuals, and they have some of the same info as an F-series manual.

.

I have a few F-series manuals, but no '87-91.

 

thanks Dan, i'll have it tested. and Steve, i have the original owners manual...i'll look for the light...it's probably burnt out.