Ford F 150 problem

[Fergienewbee]

I have a '91 Ford F150. Every so often, if I stall it, it won't start. It's acts like the battery is dead. If I let it sit for 15 minutes or so, it fires right up. I've had the alternator and starter replaced and a new battery. Only does it occasionally. I'm thinking maybe something gets hot, but no clue what. Engine temp is normal. Any thoughts?

Larry

 

[Anonymous-0]

Does it have electronic ign?. Had the same with a van years ago.give up the ghost on road,sit for 10 minutes,fires, off I go..
Was a faulty "black box".

 

[Anonymous-0]

Sounds like a faulty ignition module(box)

 

[bob farrell]

Have a '90 F-150 did the same thing. Until one time it would not fire at all. In the distributer their is a "pickup" mechanism (electronic) that failed. A few years ago it cost about $60.00 and had to buy a special tool to install - about $12.00. Hope this helps. Have you checked your battery cables?

 

[rustyfarmall]

It sounds like a classic example of a starter with worn out bushings that lets the armature drag against the fields, but since you have replaced that starter, maybe we can rule that out?

Right now I'm bettin' on the battery cables being the culprit. I went through the same thing on a '76 several years ago. Those battery cables can look perfectly good, but be totally corroded inside the covering.

 

[dhermesc]

Electronic Ignition Module, Ford's had problems with them from 1988 or so to the mid 1990s. What makes it worse - they work fine and test OK unless they are in the "no start condiction". Had Taurus that did the same thing and eventually sold it because they couldn't fix or find the problem - later Ford issued several TSBs addressing the issue in several models.

 

[glennster]

you are gonna need to do a little testing to see what the problem is. on the inside of the right fender near the battery there should be a solenoid for the starter. next time it acts up, get a test lite, and check to see if there is voltage at the battery side of the solenoid, then have a helper hit the key to start position. test the big lead goining to the starter, there should be an audible click when the key is turned to the start position when the solenoid closes. if not, there is a small wire attached also to the solenoid, test the terminal there for voltage when the key is turned to start. if there is no voltage there, suspect either a bad ignition switch, or possibly the neutral saftey switch. ignition switch should be located at the base of the steering column. here are some pics of the solenoid and the ignition switch
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<a href="http://s121.photobucket.com/albums/o234/glennster_01/?action=view&current=DCP02149.jpg" target="_blank">

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Untitled URL Link

 

[Tom43]

Will it not crank or crank and not start? The diagnosis will be entirely different.

 

[bradk]

If it acts like the battery is dead or low by cranking slowly,you can rule out ign modules and pickup coils.

Rusty has it with defective starter(was it new or used?) or bad cables.

Next time it happens,feel the cables to see if any get warm to the touch.Another cause could be ignition timing too far advanced.

 

[Fergienewbee]

Tom43;

It doesn't crank or cranks very slow, like the battery is low. Once it has sat for a few minutes, it takes right off with good cranking.

Larry

 

[ArleninOr]

I'm with Rusty on this. Just because the starter was new/rebuilt doesn't rule it out as suspect.Starter could be getting hot from exhaust manifold and then after sitting for awhile cools off enough to start the truck.Had a Chev that would do that and finally put a heat shield between the manifold and starter and no problem since HTH

 

[dieselpaul]

i'm with cables or low voltage to starter for some other reason, sounds like you were having same problem with other starter? if i remember correctly, this starter has a magnetic drive engagement that is very touchy about votage supply.

 

[trucker40]

I have a F150 that does the same thing.Look the wires over real good.I replaced the positve and negative battery cables,cleaned where the negative bolts to the block and it helped.The problems I had with this truck have turned me against Ford.