1984 Ford F150 Engine stalls in gear

1984 FORD F-150
200,000 MILES • 4 CYL • 2WD • AUTOMATIC
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JNIED
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My problem is simple: my truck starts just fine, and will run indefinitely in park or neutral. However, as soon as I put it into gear (either drive or reverse) it immediately dies. At first I could simply rev the engine up a little before putting it into gear and get it going, but now that doesn't work either. I haven't tried anything yet because I don't know where to start.
Jan 9, 2010 at 8:31 PM
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JACOBANDNICKOLAS
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Were you able to keep the engine running when you stopped and in gear or was it like the clutch was popped on a manual transmission? Also, has the check engine light come on?
Jan 11, 2010 at 10:37 AM
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JNIED
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At first I would just rev it up a bit before putting it into gear and that would get it going. While that trick was still working, I would simply use my left foot to break and keep my right foot on the gas just a bit, allowing me to stop without the engine dying. Once I had been driving around for a while it would stop dying and I could break like normal and sit at a stop light for several minutes with it still in gear and my foot off the gas with no problems.

But again, that doesn't even work now; I can't even get the truck moving.

Like I said, starts up just fine, runs just fine, heater works, radio works, lights work, the whole 9.. Until it's in gear.
Jan 11, 2010 at 5:22 PM
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JACOBANDNICKOLAS
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It sounds like either an Idle Air Control (IAC) or throttle position sensor (TPS) but they should have set the check engine light. Have you checked for vacuum leaks? Fuel pressure?

Let me know.

Joe
Jan 11, 2010 at 5:33 PM
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