Hi all,
Nw to the site and to fords. I just bought this 1994 F150 xl with 5.0L . Before I bought it it sat for a year or so but started right up when I went to pick it up and ran ok. Now every once in while for no apparent reasons, while driving a around 60 mph it stall and wont start again. Sometimes it start back up right away. sometimes not for a day. The engine will turn but wont fire up. Usually, before it craps out It seams to be loosing power gradually. like its running out of fuel. the engin light come on for a few seconds but then disappears so I cant pull codes. So far I have draines the gas tank and replace the fuel filter. I've also changed all spark plugs When it runs, its runs great but then all of a suden, it'll stall and leave my on the side of the road.

Thanks for any help

 

Welcome to the site!
You got the right idea trying to pull codes first, not understanding the rest - any previous codes should be stored and retrievable through the KOEO (key-on, engine-off) procedure.
Typical suspects would be the TFI module outside the distributor, or the PIP module inside the distributor.. However, suggest to get a Haynes / Chiltons manual or similar and run through the troubleshooting and testing procedures, rather than just shotgunning parts, which gets expensive and can introduce more problems on top of the one you're trying to solve.
Still banking that if the Check Engine light came on, there ought to be a code stored which may help better point in the right direction, such as fuel vs spark vs timing issues..
Good luck, and keep us posted.

 

You can pull codes at any time - the CEL is irrelevant. Read this page:

(click this text)


DO NOT change any more parts until you've pinpointed the fault. Keep a fuel pressure gauge on it until you can see what happens during a stall:

(click this text)


You should also keep a printed copy of the procedure on this page & all the necessary tools in the truck. At the very least, it will give you something to do on the side of the road until help arrives. But it will also help pinpoint the fault:

(click this text)


Look inside the EEC:

(click this text)


This page links to a downloadable PDF, but you should get a hard copy & keep it in the truck AFTER you've read it cover-to-cover at least once:

(click this text)

 

Alright so I pull the code doing the IOEO all I get is 111 and the IOEO all I get is 538 wiche is System did not receive “goose” test – TESTS
I'm pretty sure I'm doing everything right I think it may be because my overdrive button doesn't work
Not sure what to do next

Thanks for the help

 

It sounds like you have a intermittent ignition component, something common on vehicles since electronic ignitions started in about 1974. I don't know when they corrected this condition but it was after 1996. By intermittent I mean the component will die and come back alive later. It would be great if you could confirm that it is ignition you are losing.

The main suspects are the coil and the PIP in the distributor, and possibly the ignition control module. First guess would be the PIP in the distributor, but I would try the other 2 things first due to the complexity of replacing the PIP in the distributor or finding a reliable replacement distributor. You can only reliably test these ignition components when they are in a dead(engine won't start) mode.

In your shoes I would first try replacing the ignition coil and maybe the ignition control module, although I suspect the PIP in the distributor is the most likely suspect.

 

Alright So I was getting any codes back and the truck was doing fine So I just changed the fuel filter again and it seamed to have done the trick. When I pulled it out, some brown fuel came out of it so I figured it was just bad fuel. Like I said it was running fine at the time, so I was just going to burn that fuel and hope for the best. Then It did it again but as soon as it happened I was able to do the key on engin off test and I got code 172. as the memory code. Oxygen sensor not switching – system is or was lean – Single, Right or Rear HO2S – Fuel control.
So my question is, can it be as simple as replacing that sensor? And what does Single, Right or Rear means?

Thanks for the help

 

I've never understood that logic: the code definition doesn't say "the sensor is bad", so why would you think that?

The last part of the definition is a note about what sensors it refers to; in this case: it means either the only (single) sensor in the system, or if there are more: the right or rear one.

 

Hi, Ok So it happened again, Now I'm getting code 172 sensor not switching – system is or was lean – Single, Right or Rear HO2S – Fuel control
and code 211 Ignition PIP signal was erratic or missing – Ignition Systems Both in meery codes.

I havent replaced the anything yet other then cleaning the mass air flow sensor.

Would you recomande I go ahead and replace the distributor right away since I'm getting the 211 code?

Thanks

 

The Chiltons / Haynes manual may have a resistance spec and check procedure that you can perform on the PIP for further validation, however, understanding levels of frustration, intermittent nature, and such, my opinion is that chances are better than average that you would be OK to replace the PIP.

One can buy the PIP by itself, however, driving the roll pin out and getting the gear off the distributor shaft is a real chore requiring lots of care, so many opt to replace the whole distributor. Recommend to not go cheap - get the good stuff with a warranty.

As to your other code, consider holding off until the PIP code is cleared, on the suspicion that this code may be a result of unburned fuel / too much resulting leftover oxygen due to the PIP problem.

Good luck, and keep us posted.

 

When you misspell words, it leaves us guessing as to what you meant. Take the time to proofread & edit your posts so we can understand them.

ALL codes are stored in memory. It matters WHICH memory location they're in.That usually ruins them. They're not designed to be cleaned.No. I don't recommend replacing the tires for the 211 code, either. The definition of the code is NOT "replace some parts". Follow the ignition diagnostic procedure I posted before.