95F

We have a 1995 F-150 with the 5.0 V8. Here recently, it started just dieing while running. Will not start right a way. If we wait a while, truck will start right up with no idleing issues or anything. Any suggestions?

BLDTruth

Probably the PIP sensor in the distributor. Also called the pickup coil. Could also be the ignition control module. The PIP tends to fail intermittently which makes it difficult to diagnose. When it does fail there will be no spark at the coil.

95F

ok. so should we just change the whole distributor cap?

wde3477

Not sure by what you mean by 'whole distributor cap'...?
IMO, the top likely culprit is the TFI module. On my '89, it was a rectangular box thing about the size of two pocket matchboxes attached near the bottom of the distributor. It's my understanding that this was moved on later model years, not sure where.
The next likely culprit is the PIP module, located in the base of the distributor under the rotor. Most distributor assemblies from the parts stores will have this PIP module already installed, however you can change just the module. It's a royal pain - knocking the roll pin out of the dizzy gear, then ensuring the dizzy shaft is perfectly clean so to be able to pull the gear off the shaft and the shaft out of the dizzy to access the PIP module. I know of many who have tried to replace the module, ended up destroying the distributor, and having to buy a replacement dizzy anyway. For both the PIP and TFI, there are checks you can do which are given in most good shop manuals - to avoid shotgunning dollars and parts at the problem, and risking introduction of a whole new problem to chase.
Then there are numerous miscellaneous possibilities such as an ignition switch problem (located on the steering column about above the brake pedal) or a loose ground or other loose wire.
Good luck, and keep us posted.

fomoco998

The 95 TFI module is on inner fender drivers side not on the dizzy and a little easier to change. They are color coded. Pip is inside distributor under cap and rotor. Check connections and codes.

95F

thank ya'll for the input. when this happens, engine light does not come on and does not give a code. we have changed out the TFI module and of coarse did not work.

BLDTruth

The next time it dies and then fails to start right away, check to see if it has spark.

95F

Is there any way the alternator would have something to do with this? We had the alternator checked out both on and off the truck and tested good. But while truck is running, when we turn the A/C and lights on, the alternator gauge in the truck drops down a little from normal. The gauge also bounces from good to low charge every now and then. Could it be something downstream of the alternator getting hot and loosing fire to kill the truck?