After my 1990 Ford F150, 6 cylinder, 4.9 engine, two wheel drive, automatic transmission with 55000 miles on it had not been driven for a month or so I tried to start it. It would start but in a few seconds it would start running rough and die. It would do this several times and then continue to run but still run rough. Punch the gas and it would stall and die.
Since it had been sitting up I suspected something was sticking or gummed up. The last time it had been driven it ran fine.
I took it to the dealer, Brian Toliver Ford-Lincoln-Mercury in Sulphur Springs, Texas, expecting to get it back within a week. Three weeks later and at the cost of over $1200 I picked it up and it still does not run right.
Here is what they told me was done:
Solis setup/follow multiple code. Follow pinpoint test-replace EEC relay- retest- replace MAP sensor- retest-clean throttle body and idle air control valve- retest- sparkplugs gas fouled- lower exhaust and check for restriction- none found- replace sparkplugs- retest- code 96 unable to clear- install breakout box to isolate- processor internal failure to fuel management circuit- replace processor. Replaced fuel filter.
The parts they replaced are as follows:
1 r647 relay
1dy-527 sensor
1 60846 gasket
6 sp-452 spark plugs
112a650 PCM
1 fuel filter
When I went to pick it up the service manager said it was still not running right and suggested that I let them put on new spark plug wires. At this point I’m beginning to think of him as a parts salesman instead of a service manager. I said no and took it home.
I thought that with all their test equipment that they could find and fix it. Is it really that hard to find, are they incompetent, or were they just trying to make up for a bad economy? Which do you think it is? I don’t know but I’ve lost a lot of faith in Ford motor company.
When I checked under the hood I found covers at test sites missing, parts loose, and in two cases things in the motor compartment completely detached.
I have since tested the resistance of the plug wires and they range from 60 ohms to 8000 ohms. Checked all vacuum hoses. Checked fuses. Checked the distributor for cracks and wires for cracks. Put cleaner into the gas tank to clean the fuel injectors. Yesterday I remover the vacuum hose from the fuel pressure regulator. It started immediately, ran good for 30 seconds, then died. Put the hose back on, started immediately, ran for good for 30 seconds, then died. Took the plug off the vacuum tree, started immediately, ran great and kept on running until the key was turned off. When I punched the gas it revved up and didn’t stall. Today I tried it again without the vacuum plug. The first two times it started and died immediately. The third time it ran smooth. Put it in gear and it ran rough for a few seconds, then smoothed out. Drove it three or four miles, still running good. Turned the AC on at idle, still good.
I could run it like that but it’s probably not good to be sucking dust into the mix and also it probably is polluting or something and maybe even dangerous because something else might not work correctly.
If anyone has some ideas of what is going on I sure would appreciate hearing them.