I have a 1989 5.0L. I'm trying to make it reliable for my son to drive. Recently I changed IAC because it idled so low that engine would die with AC on. Everything seemed fine. Drove 12 miles to work..heavy commute..engine ran great. Drove 10 miles toward home and all fine except a couple slight stumbles starting to go from stoplight which then evened out. No miss felt at all after stumble. I stop at store for about 15 min. Start up fine. Truck backs up 4ft then dies. Restart with no problem but same result when in gear. I basically limp/drive 150 yards about 5 feet at at time before engine dies. After starting, even in neutral, engine dies when I step on gas. Then I start it, let it idle about 1 min., put in Drive and go the remaining 2 miles home with no problem, truck running fine. CEL came on briefly once, then went out. I haven't had a chance to get codes. Any ideas? The TFI module was changed about 2 years ago along with another ignition part near it that I don't recall. Coil is still original (149K). Appreciate any help. Thanks.

 

I hate problems like this. Just for grins, remove, clean, and reinstall the battery cable ground wire where it bolts to the engine block. Check your other battery cable terminations also. If it is a cable issue your dash lights will often go out when the truck dies.

Add a can of moisture removal product (or "Anti-freeze" gas treaments) to your gas tank. A product called Heet (or maybe Heat) is pretty good. If it is water in the tank you usually see more stalling when the truck is on an incline.

Install a new fuel filter.

I have seen all three of the above items cause problems like you just described. If its not one of these at least you won't be out of a lot of money.

Good Luck and let us know what you find.

 

thanks, I'll try your ideas. Will clean my K&N air filter while I'm at it.