Truck shuts off

[Eric Wettschreck]

My neighbor recently bought an 87 F250 with the big 460 motor. He's had it for about 3 weeks now. When he bought it, it would randomly shut off. He would pull over and start it right back up. It's still doing this.

History that I know of- It has a new fuel pump and coil. Why they were replaced I don't know.

I'm thinking the ECM is starting to go south. Any other suggestions?

[Macgyver55]

Sounds like possibly the ignition control unit (box) possibly going bad. Cant remember for sure but they used to be on the left front inner fender? Or was that the older ones......I haven't opened the hood on one of those in some time but it was common for a while.

[Jeremy airjer W]

either that or a pickup coil in the distributor. The modules are/where pretty common to fail. sometimes you can remove them from the inner fender and see a bunch of corrosion or see the thick film is burnt.

Its also not uncommon for the pigtails for the coil to burn up/ corrode/ wires break.

[Eric Wettschreck]

Sounds like possibly the ignition control unit (box) possibly going bad. Cant remember for sure but they used to be on the left front inner fender? Or was that the older ones......I haven't opened the hood on one of those in some time but it was common for a while.

While at the parts store I picked one up and installed it for him. 20 bucks to help a neighbor out is a no brainer. Still the same thing going on. I told him what yous to guys said aboot the module in the distributer and that's what he's going to attack next.

Is there any way to test these modules?

[Jeremy airjer W]

Is it carburated or fuel injected?

[Eric Wettschreck]

Carb.

There is no module on the distributer. I'm thinking either the needle or float is sticking. Neighbor's getting a carb kit on monday and we'll go from there.

[Macgyver55]

Carb.

There is no module on the distributer. I'm thinking either the needle or float is sticking. Neighbor's getting a carb kit on monday and we'll go from there.

I wouldnt suspect the carb since it starts right back up easily. If it were starving or flooding due to a sticking needle it would require some amount of cranking to clear, or to refill the bowl.

I have seen ignition switches act this way. I know Ford had a recall on the pickups for bad ignition switches, but I think that was on newer than 1987 but may be worth a look.

[Jeremy airjer W]

Carb.

There is no module on the distributor.

Not on the distributor, in the distributor. On later models the ignition control Module (box) is down sized and bolted to the outside of the distributor and became known as the ignition module. The ignition control box still needs some sort of signal to reference top dead center. I'm guessing the distributor has a vacuum advance? Either way it should still have a wiring harness coming out of it.

[jeffreyd]

or too many keys on ring that is turning it off when driving. had it happen on police car, officer had a load of keys on ring and when he would hit the ring it would cycle the ignition just enough to shut engine off.

[Eric Wettschreck]

I finally had a little time to look this thing over.

Turns out it's the fuel tank swtich over valve. I installed a new one and she runs like a champ. Let me re-phrase, it runs as well as a Ford can.

[PurpleFloyd]

Let me re-phrase, it runs as well as a Ford can.

lol