F350 Powerstroke Electrical?

[Paul1952]

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.

 

[56FordGuy]

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.

 

[Skyco]

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.

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]

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]

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...

 

[cowski]

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]

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.

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]

water in fuel? does the older 350 have the wet fuel dash indicator like the later 250 does ( 04.. etc..? )

soundguy

 

[PoorMansCat]

the 96-97 has the info center that lights up that says water in fuel...

 

[Travelover]

If you haven't posted at the power stroke forum, I'd do so. Millions of miles of experience there.

Ford Powerstroke Forum

 

[2458n]

CPS caused my 1996 to do this. Ford offered a recall but mine was not covered. Common problem but I went to international for the part. Local Ford dealership wanted a ton of money just to read the codes. I passed on that and went with the internet knowledge. Great truck when they run right.

 

[Diamondpilot]

It's a fuel issue I would bet.

Chris.

 

[franklinute]

I had the wiring harness replaced on my 2000 7.3 (180,000) miles about a month ago. I all started as an intermittent miss with massive power loss. I also thought fuel issues at first. I could stop the truck, turn the key off, restart engine and everything was good. Problem would go away for up to a month but got progressively shorter. Mechanic checked the codes and it refered to bad ground on #7. The person who changed the wires and valve gaskets out said that this is a maintenance item. He did install new glow plugs while the valve covers were off.

 

[sandman2234]

water in fuel? does the older 350 have the wet fuel dash indicator like the later 250 does ( 04.. etc..? )

soundguy

I noticed this in the book, that the 2000 Ford F350 didn't have that cute little light over in the right corner of the dash, but was standard on the F450 of the same year. Not there on Excursions either. Would be a nice touch to have...
David from jax

 

[Soundguy]

wonder if the 99's do. i have a 99 350 and 450.. i know my 04 250 at work has it..

would be usefull..

soundguy

 

[Highbeam]

56 is right, you can't read our codes with a normal obd2 reader. It will plug in but won't be able to get everything.

 

[Soundguy]

will it get the non proprietary stuff?

 

[56FordGuy]

will it get the non proprietary stuff?

Unfortunately, very few things (if any) are 'non proprietary' on these trucks.

If you own a 7.3 liter diesel (I know Soundguy has a couple or three) and intend to do your own mechanic work, you need to purchase the AutoEngenuity software with the Ford Enhanced package. It will do everything a 7.3 truck needs done, right down to cylinder contribution and injector buzz tests. Yes, it's expensive. If you don't intend to do your own repairs, it may not be worth it. If you do, it'll pay for itself in one or two uses. Not only do you save the cost of paying a dealer to pull the codes, but you save the inconvenience of taking it in, waiting on it, then hoping they got the right information. You can monitor very specific parameters of the engine in operation, right down to ICP voltage. You can see an awful lot of information that can lead you down the right path to fix the problem the first time.

 

[Soundguy]

I've got a regular code reader.. doubt I'll ge the software though. I've not inclination to be a diesel mechanic just yet..