I’m trying to help out a friend with working on his truck it is a 1996 5.0 4x4. What he has been having problems with is once in a while driving down the road it will stop running. At first I thought it had to be the ignition module since my past experiences have been with them shorting out in humid weather. After spending $40 for one it ran a little better but didn’t fix the problem. I took it to the local parts dealer were we hooked it up to the diagnostic reader to check the codes. What we found was, running lean, and IDM shorted. I’m not all the worried about the running lean part since I’m use to seeing that one come up the one I’m not sure of is this IDM circuit failure. I have absolutely no idea on what this is and where it is located at on the truck.

Let me give you a run down of what the truck has been doing.
1. Shutting off while driving down the road. ( longer than just a miss on a cylinder )
2. ever-changing idling ( running smooth some times and ruff as heck others )


If there is any more info you need on this truck please tell me exactly what you need and I will go out and check it out.

Any help would be greatly appreciated.

 

Come on guys, some one has to have some idea what this darn thing is don’t leave me hanging. All I really need to know is what IDM stands for and where it is located at.

 

Here's all I found out for ya. The IDM is the Ignition Diagnostic Monitor. Hope that helps you out, I know how frustrating it can be when no one answers, or knows what you're talking about. Peace

 

I've seen plenty of those code "18" IDM failure on Ford's old EEC IV system. A couple of things can cause this & give you the problems your having. A failing PIP sensor(profile ignition pickup) in the distibutor will set this code & cause stalling problems, also a open 22,000 ohm resistor in the IDM signal wire to the PCM will cause the same problem. Check these & good luck!

 

Thank you guys I will check these out this weekend and let you all know what was the problem.

 

before looking at it too hard you might want to check the coolant temp sensor I know it sounds rediculus but it only cost about 20 bucks but it runs almost every thing in the computer based on engine temp might think that its running cold when it is warm and will choke off the motor will also send wierd codes I spent two weeks waiting on parts and still didnt fix and all it was was the coolant temp sensor depending on whether the plug is round or rectanguler you could spend any where from 20 to 40 dollars but I will defently check it first from know on

 

Uh, it's been over five years since he asked that. It's probably been long forgotten by now....

CHECK THE DATE BEFORE RESPONDING....


Steve