first Thanks for any advice. I was traveling down interstate 81 headed to a family Thanksgiving dinner with family we haven't seen in years. Low fuel light came on so we stopped and filled up at a Sunoco station in Berryville, WV. Got back on 81 and about 5 miles down the road the truck acted like you were turning the key on and off and started stuttering badly and the ck. engine light came on, we pulled off into a safe lane asap and the engine died. Thought it was a fuel filter and had a friend bring me a filter and tools needed. Change the filter, fuel seems clean not full of water from what we could see as it hit the asphalt. no water bubbles etc.... Tried restarting it and it will start, but sit there stumbling and stuttering until it dies, not a long period. Wfe said she thought she felt it stutter earlier on the drive, I can't drive with a disability issue. Any idea's and help would be greatly appreciated. I pray we got bad fuel but how can I tell and how can you drain 25 gallons of fuel or is there something I can add to try and figure this out. I pray we got bad fuel but not sure...any idea's or thoughts would be greatly appreciated as our only vehicle sits in a truck stop 70 miles from home. Nothing like spending today stuck on the side of the highway. I don't own a OBD reader to try the codes and been told noone rents them etc.... Cannot afford a dealer trip as I live on a set income with my spinal injury. It's a 04 FX4 with 68k on it. Been running fine with no issues. Thanks Again

 

Ummm, Berryville, WV is way over on Rt 522 west of I-81. So where you at now?

Advance Auto or Auto Zone will read codes free but they don't make service calls, you have to get to them. Cheapest code reader is about $50 there if you buy.

Might look up / search "FPDM" or "Fuel Pump Driver Module" while you are here. Give you something to look at. For a start .... I offer these ...

https://www.f150online.com/forums/20...dged-more.html

https://www.f150online.com/forums/ar...placement.html

 

Can't get the links to work.... I got the fuel right outside of Berryville at the Sunonco station across the street from the Dodge dealer. I'm back home now in Harpers Ferry. A friend towed me off the road with a rope and I have it secured at a truck Stop off of 81. Tomorrow I'm going to see if I can find a way to get back to it. Again, with the $$ situation I cannot afford to have it towed back to Harpers Ferry area. I will look up the fdpm and read. Any idea what that unit cost? Would it just cause that out of nowehere? Fuel looked clean and i can hear the fuel pump come on etc.. and we had alot of fuel in the filter and lines. Thanks So much for responding.....It's been a very very rough day

 

Really need the codes to be more help.

 

#1 - x2 on needing the codes


#2 - running it low on fuel can cause the fuel pump to overheat and fail


#3 - what is the maintenance history like on the truck?

 

Autozone will read the codes for free. Write down the exact p-codes, and post them back here.

 

The FPDM can go at any time..known problem with these trucks, especially if you live in the 'salt belt' in the winter. I believe the prices run from around $60 to $100+ depending where you can get them. Some parts stores do carry them now, besides motorcraft, I believe 'Dorman' now has them. It sits on the cross member above the spare tire, hence the corrosion factor. Take a good look at it as it will be corroded through where it mounts and shorts out internally. Good Luck

 

https://www.f150online.com/forums/20...ml#post4923043

 

Autozone has the Dorman FPDM part# 590-001 $108

 

agreed the codes would help greatly towards a solution.
are you running Fram air filter? but this maybe more prevalent with cone filters & not flat panel type.

If I had to guess maybe bad gas, as you fear or....MAF sensor is dirty..maybe plugged fuel filter or maybe a vacuum line has shook loose....simple things to check at a truck stop...well the fuel filter is a bit more involved, but checking vacuum lines and cleaning the MAF should be doable at a truck stop...if you can clean the MAF sensor use cleaner safe for MAF sensors

 

TSR, I've combined your two threads here. Multiple threads on the same subject can cause confusing responses and they also waste people's time. Please don't create multiple threads.

I hope you get things running again soon. And, it sounds to me as though the FPDM might be faulty. If it is, you will probably be able to tell with a visual inspection. It will likely look swollen or cracked.

The other suggestions are good too though.

- Jack

 

My apologies. took a chance since I can't get it to a code reader as of now. Bought a FPDM, Installed it with nothing changing so It's not the FDPM.

 

At this point, all you can do is eliminate the 'bad gas' possibility IMO.... Just keep the gas you drain out in case it's not the issue...

A code reader should only cost $100 or so??

Wish I could offer more help, as it just sucks on the timing of this for you it sounds like.. I've done many, many road trips to family events and would be hard pressed to know what to do in your current situation...

Good luck and I hope you find a resolution to your issue..

Mitch

 

A parts store MIGHT have a code reader in their loan-a-tool kit.

 

Finally found someone willing to work with me on payment to get the truck back home. After removing the air filter and fuel cap I have no doubt this is contaminated fuel. Fuel smells likes it's 10 years old. Doesn't even smell like gasoline. Now, Here's my question. With my spinal cord injury I cannot get under the truck etc... to drop the fuel tank. Is there anyway to drain some of this fuel so I can add fresh fuel with some lucas fuel stabilizer? If the tank has to be dropped I'm going to miss my truck for awhile for sure. First priority is to get the tow guy taken care of before I can even think about sending it somewhere to have the tank drop to clear the bad fuel out. Any suggestions would be greatly appreciated.