I have an '02 F350. Last weekend while pulling my cattle trailer, loaded with only 1 animal, it started cutting out on me. While going up a hill on the interstate it just shut down, didn't die, but would not advance. Acted like it was smothering down. This only happened when going uphill, on straight aways it ran fine. I had driven around 200 miles when this started happening. Got down around 30 mph during this event. Last year I had a problem with the wiring in my steering column, but when that happened it completely died, wouldn't start up at all. Any ideas on what this might be or where the problem might lie. I had just had all filters changed and everything checked out a week before this trip. Any help is appreciated.
F350 Powerstroke Electrical?
- Thread starter Paul1952
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56FordGuy
Gold Member
First, do you have a Check Engine light on? I'd guess not, since you didn't mention it. Where are you located?
My first suggestion is to check to see if there are any diagnostic/ trouble codes. Some will not turn the Check Engine light on, but most will. AutoZone/ Advance Auto/ etc can not check the codes on a PowerStroke truck. It does use a standard OBD 2 connector, but different programming. A regular code reader will not work. You'll need either a high- end Snap On, Mac, etc scan tool, or the Auto Engenuity software to check codes.
Since you didn't mention a CEL (Check Engine Light), my next suggestion is to replace your CPS (Cam Position Sensor). It costs about $30.00 from a Ford dealer, and will cause issues very similar to what you described. Ford actually issued a recall on them a few years back. They're a known problem on the 7.3 liter trucks, and have been since the engine was introduced in late 1994.
If the above items don't help, check your fuel pump. The 7.3 will run with a failed fuel pump, but you will have fuel delivery issues under a heavy load, such as pulling a trailer up a hill. One the passenger's side of the fuel filter bowl, there's a yellow lever. Open it, then have someone turn the key on. In addition to hearing the pump running, you should see a steady flow of fuel out from under the truck. The yellow lever is a fuel bowl (where the filter is) drain.
The issue could also be caused by a bad UVCH (Under Valve Cover Harness). They feed power to your fuel injectors, and the connectors on them occasionally short out or wires burn through.
Your issue sounds like a fuel supply problem, if it only happens when going up hill. Have you tried it under a heavier load (bigger trailer?) on flat ground?
If you're around Nashville, TN I've got the software to pull the codes on your truck and would be glad to try and help you sort this out. :thumbsup: et us know what you find.
My first suggestion is to check to see if there are any diagnostic/ trouble codes. Some will not turn the Check Engine light on, but most will. AutoZone/ Advance Auto/ etc can not check the codes on a PowerStroke truck. It does use a standard OBD 2 connector, but different programming. A regular code reader will not work. You'll need either a high- end Snap On, Mac, etc scan tool, or the Auto Engenuity software to check codes.
Since you didn't mention a CEL (Check Engine Light), my next suggestion is to replace your CPS (Cam Position Sensor). It costs about $30.00 from a Ford dealer, and will cause issues very similar to what you described. Ford actually issued a recall on them a few years back. They're a known problem on the 7.3 liter trucks, and have been since the engine was introduced in late 1994.
If the above items don't help, check your fuel pump. The 7.3 will run with a failed fuel pump, but you will have fuel delivery issues under a heavy load, such as pulling a trailer up a hill. One the passenger's side of the fuel filter bowl, there's a yellow lever. Open it, then have someone turn the key on. In addition to hearing the pump running, you should see a steady flow of fuel out from under the truck. The yellow lever is a fuel bowl (where the filter is) drain.
The issue could also be caused by a bad UVCH (Under Valve Cover Harness). They feed power to your fuel injectors, and the connectors on them occasionally short out or wires burn through.
Your issue sounds like a fuel supply problem, if it only happens when going up hill. Have you tried it under a heavier load (bigger trailer?) on flat ground?
If you're around Nashville, TN I've got the software to pull the codes on your truck and would be glad to try and help you sort this out. :thumbsup: et us know what you find.
Maybe you meant some Powerstrokes....OBDII readers works just fine on mine. Have used everything from an el cheapo Harbor Freight one, a mid line one and a PC based reader on it.
skipmarcy
Veteran Member
I had similar symptoms with my 2000 F250 7.3. Ended-up being the plastic fuel pickup in the fuel tank broken - the fuel tank is plastic and a stick had gotten popped up into the bottom of the tank which flexed and it broke the end of the tube inside. If I remember correctly it was about $40 (+/-) for the part and of course you have to drop the tank. I dealt with the problem for several weeks before I found out what it was. Since you obviously use the truck on/around a farm there's a good chance you hit the bottom of the tank with something. Good luck !!!
PoorMansCat
Platinum Member
yep... first guess would be fuel delivery issue... Check to make sure the filter was actually replaced and with the correct filter.... While its out, take a flash light and look below the fuel heater plate and make sure that the filter base isn't full of 9 years of trash... I found lots of this stuff in the filter base and in the pressure regulator when I disassembled it on my B.I.L. truck....
Not sure who did yours, but most all quickie lubes do NOT drain the filter base before replacing the filter..... this is NOT a good practice...
Not sure who did yours, but most all quickie lubes do NOT drain the filter base before replacing the filter..... this is NOT a good practice...
cowski
Platinum Member
if it was one of mine this is what i would do.i would change the fuel filter ,then the cps sensor [recall on them],pull the pick up out of the fuel tank clean the screen and check for breakage and then check the electric fuel pump.
56FordGuy
Gold Member
I meant all the 7.3 liter trucks, which the original poster has since he said it was an '02. Not sure about the 6.0 and newer.
To the best of my knowledge, nobody makes an inexpensive scanner that is capable of the two way communication necessary to access the trouble codes stored in the truck's IDM. You can plug any scan tool up, and it will turn on. Some will say "No codes" or something like that.
If you've found an inexpensive scanner that will work on these trucks, I'd be really grateful if you could get the make and model from it. It's not that I don't believe you, but I've just never heard of one. I wish somebody would make one, because right now the least expensive option I'm aware of the the Auto Engenuity Ford Enhanced package, which runs almost $400.00 for the software, and then you have to have a PC based laptop to run it on. I'd love to be able to recommend a less expensive option to people that don't need all the diagnostic capabilities and tests that AE offers, but just want to see what the trouble codes are.
Soundguy
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water in fuel? does the older 350 have the wet fuel dash indicator like the later 250 does ( 04.. etc..? )
soundguy
soundguy
PoorMansCat
Platinum Member
the 96-97 has the info center that lights up that says water in fuel...
Travelover
Elite Member
If you haven't posted at the power stroke forum, I'd do so. Millions of miles of experience there.
Ford Powerstroke Forum
Ford Powerstroke Forum