amogrin

Hi everyone. I really need some help on this one, I really cannot figure out why this is happening with my truck. So when i run it it idles for a few seconds and then it turns off. It seems like its running out of gas and it just stalls, but I know there is gas in it. It never did this before, but it mysteriously starting doing this the last time i went to drive it. It also struggles to engage in gears because not enough gas is being pumped into it to shift the gears. Now it ran PERFECTLY about a month ago, and I had it sitting since. The only thing I could think of that happened is the person I bought it from did something to it, because I am at work and school all the time and my truck is unattended all day. I know it is something minor and simple, but I don't have the time or energy to figure it out on my own right now, and I would love to have my truck back.Thanks.

Edit: sorry I forgot to mention it is a 1988. 5.0. half ton model. Manual. Thank you again.

Good old Bill

With the little information you've given, do this and maybe it will help find out what is wrong. 1. Turn all electrical accessories OFF. Lights, radio, AC, ETC. Does engine start by itself or need jump starting? 2. If it does start normally, when it stops, does it restart normally? Or what does it take to restart? 3. When it stopped the last time driving it, when did it stop? Were you cruising down the road or coming to a stop? Answer these questions and we might be able to help direct you into getting this puppy runny.

amogrin

Sorry I wasn't very specific, I am just kinda out of it today. Anyways, the engine will start when I do it, with no hesitation at all, it starts great like it always has. It runs for a second and if i manually try to rev it sometimes it revs up to 2-3k rpm and sometimes it won't respond to the gas pedal at all or only partially respond. After it stops, I can start it again after a few minutes with no problem, maybe a little hesitation because of lack of fuel but that's all. I had just started it up and struggled with it for a few minutes, and then I tried to drive out of my driveway, only made it about 300 ft and it died, like the gas pedal wasn't working. I checked the connection from the pedal to the engine and it works fine. When I had to reverse back to my house I really had to push the gas and not use the brakes at all to even make it back home. I had to drive very fast also with the pedal fully depressed and not taking my foot off it for a second. Sorry again for the vague post, and thank you for your help.

KAH

This is just a wild guess so who knows, I might just get lucky.

You mentioned that it was not getting gas. Is it possible that the
fuel filter is clogged up ? Changing the fuel filter is probably the cheapest
thing you can do in an attempt to figure this out.

If you do it, it will probably cost less than ten dollars.

If dealer does it, look for about an eighty dollar bill.

Assuming it is not an electrical problem, this would be my first
guess.

Good luck and please let us know what the problem was.

Ken H.

Good old Bill

I failed to ask this question. Check eng light on or off? If the CEL is off are you sure it lites up while the engine is cranking. My feeling with your description is the throttle position sensor (TPS) but this should give us a code. Remember those lites are there to tell us something is wrong, they are a very helpful tool.

amogrin

Well, all the lights come on when i turn the key of course, but when its running none of them stay on or anything. Also, now that you mention it, it may be an electrical issue, but i just don't know why it would have gone wrong without me ever touching the truck. What makes me think this is that the blinkers were working the last time the truck was running well, but now they don't work at all for some reason. As for the fuel filter, I considered it but it just seems strange to have stopped working all of a sudden without me using the vehicle, don't you think? I know the electrical has issues cause the headlights dont work, and now the blinkers don't work. So maybe... but you know how when you press the pedal it accelerates right away, mine does that sometimes, but a lot of times it accelerates a bit then cuts off the pedals power then i hear the engine struggle a bit and if i gas it more it tries to accelerate and usually dies.

I forgot to add, when i turn the key part way the lights all come on, and the air blower like any other vehicle. But I have to turn it a lot further and push the clutch all the way in to start it, then the blower doesn't do anything anymore or the lights...

fire_man

I'm not too positive on this but it doesn't sound like its a huge deal. i've had the same type of problem with an old truck of mine. i changed the fuel filter, like Ken H. said, and i also needed to change the fuel pump. that could be your problem. if you don't know where either of those are, you can pick up a haynes manual at any auto parts store for about 15 bucks, or if you're sneaky enough, just read it there. (those haynes manuals come in handy alot.)

George P

I am having what sounds like the same problem, I am going to change the fuel filter to start with, I'll let you know how this turns out. But to see exactly how to change the filter along with the tool needed, follow this link and scroll down. But if you stumble across something let me know- Thanx gp

http://www.fordf150.net/howto/fuelfilter.php

1stblueoval

Im with bill..probally a tps.that will make it stall and not shift properly.The condition may have not been there long enough to set a code yet. or if you had to jump your battery you im monitors may not be set yet.

FOMOCO466

Depending on how often you drive the truck, the new E85 gas has been know to clean the fuel system TOO good and plug up filters in the fuel system... I worked at AUTOZONE and we couldn't keep some filters in stock due to this. I had a mustang that did some of the same stuff. I couldn't get more then 1/4 pedal out of it before it started acting up. changed the in line filter and it ran better right away but to days later it was acting up again... dropped the tank and the filter in there looked like a sand filled tampon. When it dried it looked like a brownish red powder was packed into the filter. changed it and she was back to running like a scalded dog.