Truck has recently developed a no start, but only after sitting over night. After it finally starts in the morning it works fine all day, until the next morning. At first it would start after about 10 attempts and then be fine. Today it took about 40 attempts but finally started. When in no start condition I get no spark. Replaced coil with a known good one and still no spark. Replaced ignition switch a couple of months ago and I feel it is not the problem. That leads me to believe it is either the ICM or PIP. How can I determine which is the culprit? It puzzles me that this only happens after sitting over night.

 

Came across this old post from 2010 from oldbones.2009;

I recently had a similar problem with my '95 f 150 w/ 5.0. I changed the remote mounted ICM. Truck seemed to be o.k. I went out for lunch and had to get towed home. This happened twice. No, of course I didn't learn the first time I broke down ! LOL ! Then, I changed the PIP module, had to pull the distributor and disassemble it. Now, about 2 weeks later I am happy to say not one breakdown. Engine kicks right over every time. It has been said on this forum that the PIP and ICM should be changed together. Sure makes sense to me now ! Hope this helps.....Ernie

 

Thanks, I read that earlier. Rather than replacing the PIP I'm leaning towards replacing the entire distributor instead if it is indeed the PIP.

 

Check easyautodiagnostics.com - there are tests to determine which one it is.

 

Went ahead and replaced the distributor. Figured it's 22 yrs. old and if it's not the problem it will be soon. It did start before the replacement, in fact, drove it to the parts store to buy the distributor. So I guess I'll find out in the morning if it starts.

 

I was having a similar problem a while back. Ended up being the ICM. I bought a new one from the local parts store and it drove great for 5 weeks. Then friday night as I was pulling into a gas stating the truck just died, like I turned the key off. No stutter or miss. Just off. Had no spark from the coil so I took the ICM off the truck and get a new one under warranty and it's been running good again. I didn't really do any diag, just figured if I don't have spark at the coil, its got to be the ICM further upstream in the system rather than the PIP. I replaced my distributor a while back anyways.

 

Well the distributor replacement seems to have fixed it. Started right up this morning and all day long. Still not sure why it would go into a no start situation only after sitting all night and then be fine the rest of the day.

 

Temperature probably. When they're almost dead they can be very touchy.

Good thing you got it sorted before having to add a tow truck bill to the cost.