Won't Charge and Stalls, Won't Restart
07-17-2011, 01:58 PM
#1
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Won't Charge and Stalls, Won't Restart
I have an 87 F150 2x4 with the 5.0L engine. It has been sitting for most of the last 5 years and wouldn't pass the CO emissions test until I ran a can of cleaner thru the fuel system. I drove it until almost a full tank had run thru, then refilled and went to emissions test. Passed! Then I hooked up a friends bug to tow it to a shop and got about 5 miles from home when it died on a steep hill. Wouldn't restart, although it turned over fine until I drained the battery. Had it towed home and charged the battery and the next day it started, but only ran about 10 minutes and died, wouldn't restart. Metered the battery once I got it started the next day and it reads 12.30 volts. Shouldn't that be closer to 18 volts when running? The meter on the dash shows it at about 10 volts so I thought Alternator. Changed alternator, still same problem, now what? Thanks.
Last edited by faderbruce; 07-17-2011 at 02:16 PM. Reason: not sure of CID
07-17-2011, 02:13 PM
#2
Originally Posted by faderbruce
I have an 87 F150 2x4 with the 5.0L 351 engine. It has been sitting for most of the last 5 years and wouldn't pass the CO emissions test until I ran a can of cleaner thru the fuel system. I drove it until almost a full tank had run thru, then refilled and went to emissions test. Passed! Then I hooked up a friends bug to tow it to a shop and got about 5 miles from home when it died on a steep hill. Wouldn't restart, although it turned over fine until I drained the battery. Had it towed home and charged the battery and the next day it started, but only ran about 10 minutes and died, wouldn't restart. Metered the battery once I got it started the next day and it reads 12.30 volts. Shouldn't that be closer to 18 volts when running? The meter on the dash shows it at about 10 volts so I thought Alternator. Changed alternator, still same problem, now what? Thanks.
07-17-2011, 02:23 PM
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Oops, 5.0l probably a 302?
Sorry, not sure of CID, since I can't seem to find anything that tells engine size other than a 5.0L. Whatever happened to putting the size of the engine on a decal on the breather intake? Man I'm old.
Anyway, it's been ages since I worked on a car and I thought immediately that since I wasn't getting 18 volts at he battery while it's running that the Alt was bad. Would a bad battery cause it not to show 18 volts when running? This morning I got it started and it ran less than 5 minutes and died, the battery shows 12.3 volts, and it still turns over like there is plenty of juice once it dies, just won't fire. Will a system that's not charging cause the vehicle to stall like this? Thanks.
Anyway, it's been ages since I worked on a car and I thought immediately that since I wasn't getting 18 volts at he battery while it's running that the Alt was bad. Would a bad battery cause it not to show 18 volts when running? This morning I got it started and it ran less than 5 minutes and died, the battery shows 12.3 volts, and it still turns over like there is plenty of juice once it dies, just won't fire. Will a system that's not charging cause the vehicle to stall like this? Thanks.
Last edited by faderbruce; 07-17-2011 at 02:26 PM.
07-17-2011, 02:35 PM
#4
lost my Car again...
Sorry, not sure of CID, since I can't seem to find anything that tells engine size other than a 5.0L. Whatever happened to putting the size of the engine on a decal on the breather intake? Man I'm old. Anyway, it's been ages since I worked on a car and I thought immediately that since I wasn't getting 18 volts at he battery while it's running that the Alt was bad. Would a bad battery cause it not to show 18 volts when running? This morning I got it started and it ran less than 5 minutes and died, the battery shows 12.3 volts, and it still turns over like there is plenty of juice once it dies, just won't fire. Will a system that's not charging cause the vehicle to stall like this? Thanks.
Anyway, it's been ages since I worked on a car and I thought immediately that since I wasn't getting 18 volts at he battery while it's running that the Alt was bad. Would a bad battery cause it not to show 18 volts when running? This morning I got it started and it ran less than 5 minutes and died, the battery shows 12.3 volts, and it still turns over like there is plenty of juice once it dies, just won't fire. Will a system that's not charging cause the vehicle to stall like this? Thanks.
it can be a bad battery see if someone has a good battery you can borrow to test it out. a bad battery can do all kinds of wired stuff. when mine finally went my engine would not start but i could listen to my radio granted the volume would fluctuate radically but waiting an hour for the tow truck i got bored LOL i have a new battery now and its running great
07-17-2011, 02:49 PM
#5
Originally Posted by faderbruce
Sorry, not sure of CID, since I can't seem to find anything that tells engine size other than a 5.0L. Whatever happened to putting the size of the engine on a decal on the breather intake? Man I'm old. Anyway, it's been ages since I worked on a car and I thought immediately that since I wasn't getting 18 volts at he battery while it's running that the Alt was bad. Would a bad battery cause it not to show 18 volts when running? This morning I got it started and it ran less than 5 minutes and died, the battery shows 12.3 volts, and it still turns over like there is plenty of juice once it dies, just won't fire. Will a system that's not charging cause the vehicle to stall like this? Thanks.
Anyway, it's been ages since I worked on a car and I thought immediately that since I wasn't getting 18 volts at he battery while it's running that the Alt was bad. Would a bad battery cause it not to show 18 volts when running? This morning I got it started and it ran less than 5 minutes and died, the battery shows 12.3 volts, and it still turns over like there is plenty of juice once it dies, just won't fire. Will a system that's not charging cause the vehicle to stall like this? Thanks.That's a logical move with the alternator, atleast thinking it was the alternator. It might have been, obviously not. But it was a step in the right direction.
That's why I like testing electrical stuff when I can and if I know how. I second a quick battery swap just to see. If it persists start checking cables/wires and grounds.
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07-18-2011, 12:39 AM
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So late today I took the battery out and returned to the retailer where I bought it. The battery checked out OK, but I asked the clerk if it was possible that maybe the amps are too low for an LXT Lariat with power everything, including EFI. The battery I had, which was 2 years old, but like I've said, the truck doesn't move much, was rated at 675 amps and was still outputting 690 according to their tester. He looked it up and sure 'nuf, there was a second listing for the F150 that required an 850 amp battery. Got the new one home with a pro rated trade in, which they didn't have to do but they did, thanks Sears, and started right up and died 60 seconds later. The difference now is it starts again pretty much right away and runs for anywhere from 60 seconds to 7-8 minutes. I also noticed that the voltage gauge on the dash was sometimes showing that it was charging, and sometimes not. I kept starting and restarting for about an hour and got frustrated and quit for dinner. After dinner, it wasn't starting as well and at low idle sounded like the timing has jumped. If I rev it to 2K RPM it idles OK, but then just dies like I've turned the key off after differing intervals. I try feathering the gas and sometimes it keeps running, most times it dies. WTH? More fun tomorrow after work, please pass on any suggestions, I'll be checking in during the day. Thanks everyone.
07-18-2011, 12:43 AM
#10
Originally Posted by faderbruce
So late today I took the battery out and returned to the retailer where I bought it. The battery checked out OK, but I asked the clerk if it was possible that maybe the amps are too low for an LXT Lariat with power everything, including EFI. The battery I had, which was 2 years old, but like I've said, the truck doesn't move much, was rated at 675 amps and was still outputting 690 according to their tester. He looked it up and sure 'nuf, there was a second listing for the F150 that required an 850 amp battery. Got the new one home with a pro rated trade in, which they didn't have to but they did, thanks Sears, and started right up and died 60 seconds later. The difference now is it starts again pretty much right away and runs for anywhere from 60 seconds to 7-8 minutes. I also noticed that the voltage gauge on the dash was sometimes showing that it was charging, and sometimes not. I kept starting and restarting for about an hour and got frustrated and quite for dinner. After dinner, it wasn't starting as well and at low idle sounded like the timing has jumped. If I rev it to 2K RPM it idles OK, but then just dies like I've turned the key off. I try feathering the gas and sometimes it keeps running, most times it dies. WTH? More fun tomorrow after work, please pass on any suggestions, I'll be checking in during the day. Thanks everyone.