Randomly engine stalls while driving?

Tiny
WHITESHIRTSAMMY
  • MEMBER
  • 1996 FORD F-150
  • 4.9L
  • 6 CYL
  • 4WD
  • MANUAL
  • 145,000 MILES
My truck turns off while driving or will not start, randomly, a few times a month. I did a turn up and replaced the dist-cap and rotor and wires, a few months ago. Other than that, I have not tried fixing this issue, yet. 4 out of 5, the vehicle turns on fine and drives.
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Friday, November 8th, 2019 AT 8:29 AM

58 Replies

Tiny
BMDOUBLE
  • MECHANIC
  • 1,139 POSTS
Have you replaced the ignition control module yet? It sounds like the crankshaft angle sensor, main control relay or fuel pump is going out but the be sure lets go over these guides to help us fix it the problem. The should scan for codes as well you could have a MAF or MAP sensor going bad which will leave a code (a bad crankshaft sensor will not leave a trouble code FYI). When the engine stalls lift he hood and check to see if any of the relays are hot in the main fuse panel (PDC).

https://www.2carpros.com/articles/engine-stalls

and

https://www.2carpros.com/articles/checking-a-service-engine-soon-or-check-engine-light-on-or-flashing

Please run down these guides and report back.
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Friday, November 8th, 2019 AT 11:34 AM
Tiny
WHITESHIRTSAMMY
  • MEMBER
  • 60 POSTS
I will order one and have it shipped. It will take a few days to reply back.
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Friday, November 8th, 2019 AT 7:37 PM
Tiny
WHITESHIRTSAMMY
  • MEMBER
  • 60 POSTS
Replaced module. Check wiring and connector. No problems as of yet.
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Saturday, November 16th, 2019 AT 6:05 PM
Tiny
KEN L
  • MASTER CERTIFIED MECHANIC
  • 42,468 POSTS
Good to hear I was thinking the ECM relay should be replaced as well. Here is the location. I like the T-shirt :)
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Tuesday, November 19th, 2019 AT 10:21 AM
Tiny
BMDOUBLE
  • MECHANIC
  • 1,139 POSTS
Good deal! I'm with Ken on the PCM power relay too!
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Tuesday, November 19th, 2019 AT 12:03 PM
Tiny
WHITESHIRTSAMMY
  • MEMBER
  • 60 POSTS
My truck stalled on my way home from work. Took me 15 cranks to get it started, moved 5ft shut off again. Another 15 cranks or so, get it home.
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Monday, December 2nd, 2019 AT 3:12 PM
Tiny
KEN L
  • MASTER CERTIFIED MECHANIC
  • 42,468 POSTS
When the engine stalls can you turn the key to the on position without cranking the engine over can you hear the fuel pump run in the tank for 5 seconds?
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Tuesday, December 3rd, 2019 AT 3:12 PM
Tiny
WHITESHIRTSAMMY
  • MEMBER
  • 60 POSTS
Yes, I can hear the pump spin up when I turn the key.
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Tuesday, December 3rd, 2019 AT 3:14 PM
Tiny
KEN L
  • MASTER CERTIFIED MECHANIC
  • 42,468 POSTS
Perfect, does it have spark? here is a guide:

https://www.2carpros.com/articles/how-to-test-an-ignition-system

Please run down this guide and report back.
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Wednesday, December 4th, 2019 AT 12:50 PM
Tiny
WHITESHIRTSAMMY
  • MEMBER
  • 60 POSTS
It was the crankshaft sensor thanks you for the help.
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Wednesday, December 4th, 2019 AT 6:33 PM
Tiny
SPECTORNS4
  • MEMBER
  • 1 POST
  • 1995 FORD F-150
  • 5.0L
  • V8
  • 4WD
  • MANUAL
  • 170,000 MILES
Engine starts and idles normally but stalls while driving intermittently. Hot or cold usually when accelerating. Just had both fuel tanks replaced along with both fuel pumps and fuel filters.
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Monday, April 26th, 2021 AT 1:16 PM (Merged)
Tiny
KEN L
  • MASTER CERTIFIED MECHANIC
  • 42,468 POSTS
When you did the fuel tanks did you do the switching valve? They had big problems with those which made the truck stall just like yours is doing. also this could be a fuel pump or the crankshaft angle sensor has gone out. When you turn the key to the on position without cranking the engine over can you hear the fuel pump run in the tank for 5 seconds?

https://www.2carpros.com/articles/car-cranks-but-wont-start

Please run down this guide and report back.

Please let me know, Ken
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Monday, April 26th, 2021 AT 1:16 PM (Merged)
Tiny
MICT
  • MEMBER
  • 4 POSTS
  • 1995 FORD F-150
  • V8
  • 4WD
  • AUTOMATIC
  • 180,000 MILES
My '95 F-150 5.8l occasionally will not start and engine will stall when driving. When this happens there is no spark from the ignition coil. I can sit there and try to start the truck form 10 min. To an hour and it will eventually start. This happens when the truck has been sitting for awhile.

Recently when it happened the engine was sitting for 14 hrs. When I tried to start the engine sounded like it was going to start but it was weak. I checked for spark and it was very weak then went away. After trying for 30 min. It started.

I have replaced the ignition coil and ignition control module. I took it to an auto shop a month a go and they said it was a bad wire between ICM and distributor. It was fine for awhile but problem returned. I took it back, they had it for 4 days and told me they got it to act up one but not long enough to use a scoop on it. They basically said it could be a number of things, pick up coil, ignition switch, bad wire some where, and good luck to you. Funny thing is when I got the truck back the second time I tried to start it, it exibited the problem, in fact it did it twice in the same day. Please help!
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Monday, April 26th, 2021 AT 1:19 PM (Merged)
Tiny
RASMATAZ
  • MECHANIC
  • 75,992 POSTS
I want you to check fuse U 20amp in engine compartment fuse box. Is its okay?

Hook it up on the red and light green wire-do you have this?


https://www.2carpros.com/forum/automotive_pictures/12900_coil_7.jpg

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Monday, April 26th, 2021 AT 1:19 PM (Merged)
Tiny
KHLOW2008
  • MECHANIC
  • 41,815 POSTS
Pulling the distributor out will be easier to deal with the problem,


https://www.2carpros.com/forum/automotive_pictures/192750_Distributor95FordF150_1.jpg



Item # 5 = Ignition stator
Item # 8 = Ignition module.
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Monday, April 26th, 2021 AT 1:19 PM (Merged)
Tiny
MICT
  • MEMBER
  • 4 POSTS
Thanks for the info. Irepacled the distributor with a rebuilt unit seems to have fixed it.
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Monday, April 26th, 2021 AT 1:19 PM (Merged)
Tiny
FRANK78$$$
  • MEMBER
  • 3 POSTS
  • 1995 FORD F-150
  • 5.0L
  • V8
  • 2WD
  • AUTOMATIC
  • 210,000 MILES
Truck was idling high. Mechanic replaced IAC, fuel filter, cleaned throttle body. Did not fix problem. While that problem was going on another started. Sporadic stalling. When the truck runs good, it runs good. But sporadically, usually when it's cold or you first start driving it, sometime at lower speeds you can press the pedal and there's nothing there. Then finally it will catch and it does fine til the next time it decides to do it. The mechanic has done the following with no success. Replaced o2 sensor, tps sensor, checked for vacuum leaks, cleaned throttle body, changed ECM, sometimes the check engine light will come on when this is happening sometimes not. I am at a loss. 1500 dollars and nothing is fixed. Oh, and supposedly checked fuel pressure with mechanical gauge. P0172 Any suggestions?
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Monday, April 26th, 2021 AT 1:21 PM (Merged)
Tiny
JIS001
  • MECHANIC
  • 3,408 POSTS
P0172 is for a running rich condition. P0171 would be a lean condition. If it is running lean then inspect the PCV hose. That can collapse or burst and cause a vacuum leak and stalling. If it is running rich then you need to look at both banks 1 and 2 fuel trims. The PCM will set only one bank fault but not the other? Monitoring both banks will give you a bigger picture as to what is going on overall.

The symptoms you describe with no power and running rich would lead me to suspect a faulty mass air flow meter or map sensor (manifold absolute vacuum pressure sensor) If running lean then a PCV vacuum leak or fuel pump not delivering enough fuel pressure. In this case a fuel pressure gauge would need to be installed and driven with it on to see what the pressure is when there is no pedal response?
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Monday, April 26th, 2021 AT 1:21 PM (Merged)
Tiny
FRANK78$$$
  • MEMBER
  • 3 POSTS
Supposedly they checked for vacuum leaks. I don't know how good. He checked fuel pressure with gauge but obviously not while it was doing it. The fuel pressure could be fine except when it's doing it, right? Thoughts on this. What if I change the map sensor myself and see what it does? Then maybe the mass air flow if needed? Then if that doesn't do it, get someone to check the fuel with a mechanical gauge? Does that sound like a good plan? I have spent so much money on this with no results. I can change those for probably $175.00 as opposed to $500.00 for them to do it, ya know. But I would like to know if that's a good plan or not. I really appreciate your advice and input.
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Monday, April 26th, 2021 AT 1:21 PM (Merged)
Tiny
JIS001
  • MECHANIC
  • 3,408 POSTS
Check your emissions label under the hood. If this is obd2 then I would recommend you get a scan tool to look at some data. But I would look at the mass air flow sensor first. Try to clean it first to see if it makes a difference.

https://www.2carpros.com/articles/mass-air-flow-service

Try that out and let us know if it helped.
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Monday, April 26th, 2021 AT 1:21 PM (Merged)

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