What did you do to your truck today?
05-17-2015, 09:48 PM
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I messed it up!
Greetings, all. This is my first post. I came looking for a bit of help.
Truck is a 99 F150 EX, 2WD, long bed with 257,000 miles. I've had it for a bit over a year. It gave a 420 code meaning one of the cats is not doing it's job. I'm not crazy about spending $1500 on a $2400 truck, so.....
Today I removed my post-cat O2 sensors and spaced them out with spark plug anti-foulers. It's a commonly done trick to move the sensors out of the exhaust so they see less O2, making them think all is well.
Right! Job done, clear codes, go for drive! Get gas for commute. Turn key.
CLICKCLICKCLICKCLICKCLICK
The battery is dead. WTH? So I jump it with a portable pack and start for home. get a few trucklengths and it dies again. Get it going, go a mile, none of the gauges are moving because the voltage is too low. I finally have to hook on the jump battery and leave it on to get home.
Battery is taking a charge from a charger but voltmeter drops when the engine is running. The voltmeter on the dash reads normal. The alternator field fuse is good.
I don't believe this is a coincidence. Removing/replacing the O2 sensors must have down something that affects the alternator. I have no clue how but they have to be related. I don't want to drop $150 on a new one until I'm sure I have to. Does anyone have any suggestions?
Truck is a 99 F150 EX, 2WD, long bed with 257,000 miles. I've had it for a bit over a year. It gave a 420 code meaning one of the cats is not doing it's job. I'm not crazy about spending $1500 on a $2400 truck, so.....
Today I removed my post-cat O2 sensors and spaced them out with spark plug anti-foulers. It's a commonly done trick to move the sensors out of the exhaust so they see less O2, making them think all is well.
Right! Job done, clear codes, go for drive! Get gas for commute. Turn key.
CLICKCLICKCLICKCLICKCLICK
The battery is dead. WTH? So I jump it with a portable pack and start for home. get a few trucklengths and it dies again. Get it going, go a mile, none of the gauges are moving because the voltage is too low. I finally have to hook on the jump battery and leave it on to get home.
Battery is taking a charge from a charger but voltmeter drops when the engine is running. The voltmeter on the dash reads normal. The alternator field fuse is good.
I don't believe this is a coincidence. Removing/replacing the O2 sensors must have down something that affects the alternator. I have no clue how but they have to be related. I don't want to drop $150 on a new one until I'm sure I have to. Does anyone have any suggestions?
05-23-2015, 05:40 PM
Salvage Yard Pro
Looks AWESOME Loco!
Just finished replacing coil springs, shocks, I Beam Bushings, Radius Arm Bushings and wheel bearings. Still have some slack in the steering box and a knock when I wiggle the wheels on the jack. Much better though. Time to start hunting the gear box so I can replace it. Also found my oil pan gasket protruding from the pan again. Put that on the never ending list.
Just finished replacing coil springs, shocks, I Beam Bushings, Radius Arm Bushings and wheel bearings. Still have some slack in the steering box and a knock when I wiggle the wheels on the jack. Much better though. Time to start hunting the gear box so I can replace it. Also found my oil pan gasket protruding from the pan again. Put that on the never ending list.
Last edited by unit505; 05-23-2015 at 05:44 PM.
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unit505 (05-24-2015)
05-26-2015, 09:29 AM
This weekend I was doing headache work on my 5.8. I was sluggish, only when it rains or after a wash. Acting like it was running out of fuel. Had a long weekend, so I broke down and installed $700.00 dollars worth of new parts. Plugs, wiring, distributor, cap and button, coil. EGR valve, PCV valve, TPS and IAC. 2 fuel pumps, fuel filter, fuel pressure regulator, injectors. So I have narrowed it down to, it's not a fuel problem. Its not a firing problem and its not a air problem. "See headache work". So I pulled out the water sprayer and started spraying down the engine. Nothing. To my avail, I still have the problem. No codes, just only acts up when it rains. So here I am, still with a truck that no one has no clue on what the problem is.
05-28-2015, 01:36 PM
