Engine will not start up?

1987 FORD F-150
118,000 MILES • 5.0L • V8 • 2WD • AUTOMATIC
Avatar
J GOWE
  • MEMBER
  • 6 POSTS
Engine runs like a clock until it warms up. Wont start again until it cools off. we have replaced everything even the main brain of the truck and still does the same thing.
Can anyone help? Where is the cam shaft sensor?
May 15, 2020 at 9:07 AM
Advertisement
Avatar
KASEKENNY
  • CAR REPAIR CONTRIBUTOR
  • 18,907 POSTS
Your engine operates on a "crank sensor" that is internal to the distributor. It is a hall effect sensor so this would be susceptible to heat and will cause an open circuit until it cools down so it matches what you are seeing. One way to try and confirm this or at least get more evidence of a crank sensor issue or ignition issue, is when the engine stalls and will not restart, pull a spark plug out and connect it back to the wire and then crank the engine holding the plug against the block to see if it sparks. If it does not spark then it is most likely this hall effect sensor in the distributor. See the attached info for more detail.

Let me know what you find and we can go from there. Thanks

https://www.2carpros.com/articles/symptoms-of-a-bad-crankshaft-sensor
Images (Click to enlarge)
Attached Media
Attached Media
Attached Media
Attached Media
Attached Media
May 15, 2020 at 9:22 AM
Avatar
J GOWE
  • MEMBER
  • 6 POSTS
Would that be in the top of distributor?
We have replace coil,wires, distributor cap, rotor, fuel filter, fuel pump, fuel flow sensor and the module on side of the distributor. Any thing else we might check?Does have spark after stalls and wont start.
May 15, 2020 at 9:41 AM
Avatar
J GOWE
  • MEMBER
  • 6 POSTS
That was it. A bit to get to but after 9 trips to the parts store and 12 new parts the old girl is running again. Ready to haul more blue crab to market.
Thank you
May 15, 2020 at 2:03 PM
Avatar
KASEKENNY
  • CAR REPAIR CONTRIBUTOR
  • 18,907 POSTS
That's great news. Thanks for the update. Please come back to 2CarPros next time. Thanks
May 16, 2020 at 5:44 PM
Repair Safety Notice: This information is for general instructional purposes only. Vehicle repair can be dangerous. Verify all information, follow manufacturer service procedures, use proper tools and safety equipment, and consult a qualified repair shop when needed.